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September 9, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

Recycle Bowl Set for Fall Kick-Off
The first comprehensive nationwide recycling competition for elementary, middle, and high-school students, Recycle-Bowl, is set to kick-off this fall in those Pennsylvania schools accepting the opportunity to vie against schools and students from across the state and country, according to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission:
Three more Pennsylvania Turnpike travel plazas soon to close for nine-month rebuild. 
Plainfield, Blue Mountain and South Somerset plazas scheduled to reopen next May.

HARRISBURG, PA (readMedia)-- Three more Pennsylvania Turnpike travel plazas are set to close in the coming days; they will be razed and rebuilt as part of a nine-year project to modernize all such facilities along the highway. Two of the three plazas - Plainfield and Blue Mountain - will close at 7 a.m. on Sept. 6. The third, South Somerset, will shut down at 7 a.m. on Sept. 12. (It will remain open to accommodate visitors to the Flight 93 Memorial dedication on Sept. 10-11 in Shanksville, Pa.) All three facilities are scheduled to reopen in May 2012 -- in time to welcome Memorial Day travelers.

The Plainfield Travel Plaza, at milepost 219 in Cumberland County, serves eastbound travelers and is located about seven miles west of the Carlisle Exit (No. 226); the Blue Mountain Travel Plaza, at milepost 202 in Cumberland County, serves westbound travelers and is located about one mile east of the Blue Mountain Exit (No. 201); and the South Somerset Travel Plaza, at milepost 112 in Somerset County, serves eastbound travelers and is located about two miles east of the Somerset Exit (No. 110).

Flashing signs and other messages near the three travel plazas have been in place along the Turnpike to notify motorists of the shut downs.
The new plazas will feature roomier layouts and food-court style dining areas with more food choices. They will have larger, brighter, touch-free restrooms, enhanced parking, outdoor dining, landscaped grounds with pet areas, new fueling stations and a convenience store.

The renovations are made possible by a 30-year, public-private initiative launched in 2006 when the Turnpike entered into an agreement with Bethesda, Md.-based HMS Host Corp. and Sunoco Inc. of Philadelphia. HMS Host Corp. committed $100 million to rebuild 17 plazas, and Sunoco is investing $70 million to restore the service stations and convenience stores. So far, nine Turnpike plazas have been renewed in the last five years:

• Allentown (Lehigh County)
• Bowmansville (Lancaster County)
• Hickory Run (Carbon County)
• King of Prussia (Montgomery County)
• Lawn (Dauphin County)
• New Stanton (Westmoreland County)
• North Somerset (Somerset County)
• Oakmont (Allegheny County)
• Sideling Hill (Fulton County)

All work to revamp the remaining original travel plazas is expected to be finished by spring 2014. Customers can download a free Service Plaza reference booklet from the Pennsylvania Turnpike's website at www.paturnpike.com.

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission to Hold Public Hearing in Pittsburgh on September 14, 2011
Individuals & Groups Invited to Testify/Submit Written Comments

A public hearing of the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be held on September 14, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. at the Duquesne School of Law, 600 Forbes Avenue, Room 302, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282.

The purpose of this hearing is to invite testimony regarding issues of state-wide importance in reapportioning the House and Senate districts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Individuals or groups who wish to testify at the public hearing are required to submit, in writing, a brief summary of their proposed comments on or before September 9, 2011.

This summary should be submitted to:
Charles E. O'Connor, Jr.
Executive Director
2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission
Senate Box 203079, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120-3079.

Proposals should include a telephone number where the individuals can be reached during normal business hours. All submissions must be received by the Commission no later than September 9, 2011.

Please advise the Commission office if you require special accommodation to participate in this meeting. Further information can be obtained by contacting Charles E. O'Connor, Jr., Executive Director, at 717-705-6339.  

Interested citizens can also find pertinent information a the Legislative Reapportionment Commission website by visiting:  http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us

Hearing on UPMC-Highmark Dispute Set for September 13, 2011 
Banking and Insurance Committee to meet at University of Pittsburgh Campus

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will hold a public hearing in Pittsburgh on September 13, 2011 to examine the on-going dispute between UPMC and Highmark.

The committee will convene at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, in the William Pitt Union Lower Lounge at 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to review the dispute and determine what, if any, regulatory role Pennsylvania has over the battling parties.

"The hearing will be the first of what I expect to be a series of Banking and Insurance Committee hearings on this issue," said Senator Don White, Committee Chairman . "The disagreement between Highmark and UPMC, if left unresolved, could have a major impact on the region on several levels. It is important that we provide an open forum in which legislators and the public can achieve a better understanding of the various issues on the table."

Highmark and UPMC have been at odds over their service reimbursement contract which is set to expire on June 30, 2012. If the contract is not renewed, about 2,700 doctors in the UPMC system would be considered "out-of-network" for Highmark, which provides insurance coverage for about 3 million people in western Pennsylvania. Tension between the parties further escalated when Highmark announced plans to invest in West Penn Allegheny Health System -- UPMC’s primary competitor in the region -- and filed a lawsuit against UPMC’s "Keep Your Doctor" ad campaign.

The two main issues to be discussed during the hearings are distinctly separate from a regulatory perspective, but intimately related, Senator White said. "I expect the hearings will explore both the contractual impasse between UPMC and Highmark as well as Highmark’s proposed acquisition of the West Penn Health System."

State Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine will be the leading regulatory official to testify at the Pittsburgh hearing.  To view the hearing agenda, including others scheduled to testify, visit the Banking & Insurance Committee website at the following link:  http://www.senatordonwhite.com/banking/2011/091311/agenda.htm  

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
September 9-12, 2011
Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, Sept. 9-12.

All activities are weather permitting and subject to change. Motorists should plan their travels accordingly by anticipating highway work zones, slowing down, exercising patience and being safe.

PennDOT is also reminding motorists approaching lane restricted highway work zones to use all open lanes to the merge point. Please be courteous to other motorists and allow them to merge. The effectiveness of traffic flow in highway work zones is highly dependent on driver behavior. Using all lanes and allowing a consistent, courteous merge will reduce congestion and delay and help traffic move smoothly and safely through the work zone.
The HOV lanes on the Parkway North (I-279) are open to all outbound traffic on weekends after 7 p.m. on Friday and remain open until 5 a.m. on Mondays. In addition, the two passenger vehicle rule does not apply during weekend hours. To alleviate congestion, motorists are encouraged to use the HOV lanes to exit the downtown area following sports games and other events on weekends.


Below is a summary of the major closings and restrictions this weekend:

SHORT TERM:

I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Closures
Bridge/Ramp work

The ramp from the westbound Boulevard of the Allies/Parkway East to northbound I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard) will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12. Southbound single lane traffic on I-579 will also from 9 a.m. on Friday continuously through 5 a.m. on Sunday.

Full release: Northbound I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Closures Continue Tuesday in Pittsburgh
GOOGLE MAP OF AREA:   http://g.co/maps/7a75z

I-79
Roadwork

Traffic in both directions on I-79 will be restricted to a single lane from Washington County to ½ mile north of the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54) from 7 p.m. Friday through 11 a.m. on Sunday. Southbound single lane traffic will start at 9 p.m. Friday.

Full release: I-79 Bridgeville South Improvements Begin Friday Night in Allegheny County
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/t9rve

Parkway East/Central (I-376)
Bridge Inspection

A single lane closure will occur on the inbound (westbound) Parkway East/Central (I-376) in the area approaching the Oakland/Bates Street interchange (Exit 73) in City of Pittsburgh from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday for inspection activities on the bridge over Frazier and Swinburne streets.

Full release: Inbound Parkway East/Central Bridge Inspection Sunday Morning in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/xmwsc

Parkway North
Geotechnical Work

Traffic on the inbound (southbound) Parkway North (I-279) in Ohio Township, will be reduced to a single lane from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Crews will continue stream bank repairs along southbound I-279 (Parkway North) between the Perrysville (Exit 5) and Venture Street/McKnight Road (Exit 4) interchanges.

Full release: Parkway North Inbound Single Lane Traffic Saturday Morning in Ohio Township
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/4xt6u

Route 50
Roadwork

Traffic on Route 50 (Washington Road/Pike) and Greentree Road (Route 3052) in Collier Township and Heidelberg Borough will be reduced to a single lane in each direction from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday in the following locations:

• Crews will be removing and replacing strip seal dams on the bridge that carries Greentree Road over Chartiers Creek (near the intersection with Route 50 across from Walgreens by the Exxon station,
• Route 50 will be reconstructed in the area of the Great Southern Shopping Center.

Full release: Route 50 and Greentree Road Single Lane this Weekend in Collier and Heidelberg
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/ax23b

LONG TERM:
Route 65 
Lane Closures

Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in the City of Pittsburgh is closed long-term in both directions at the Marshall Avenue (Route 19) interchange continuously through late November 2011. Crews are rehabilitating the mainline Route 65 bridges at the interchange between the West End and McKees Rocks bridges. Traffic is being detoured using the on-and-off ramps to Beaver Avenue and California Avenue.

Full release: Route 65 Long-Term Closures Begin July 15 at Marshall Avenue Interchange in Pittsburgh
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.457985,-80.0245&spn=0.051331,0.077162&z=14

Route 28
Lane Closures
 
Northbound Route 28 is reduced to a single lane between the 31st and 40th street bridges in the City of Pittsburgh through 2012.

Full release: Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements Begin Aug. 23 at 40th Street Bridge in Millvale
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.469282,-79.976006&spn=0.025661,0.038581&z=15

I-579/Crosstown Boulevard
Bridges and Ramps

The ramp from the westbound Boulevard of the Allies to the southbound Liberty Bridge (Route 3069) is closed continuously through Aug. 20 for bridge rehabilitation.

Full release: Boulevard of the Allies Ramp to Liberty Bridge Long-Term Closure Begins Sunday in Pittsburgh
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15

The bridges that connect Sixth and Seventh avenues to Washington Place over I-579 near the Civic Arena are closed continuously through mid-October 2011.
 
Full release: I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Ramp Closures Long-Term Detours Begin this Weekend in Pittsburgh
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15

PennDOT Information and Resources:
For more information, visit the District 11 website, www.dot.state.pa.us, click PennDOT near you, "11" under "roadwork". PennDOT reminds motorists to call the construction hotline at 412-429-6035 for information and current activities on the Parkway East, Parkway West, Parkway North, I-79 and Route 28. All work is weather permitting.

Call 1-800 FIX ROAD to report roadway problems and concerns.

Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling. The 511 system also automatically feeds Twitter accounts with information such as incidents, construction notices and weather alerts. The Pittsburgh/Southwestern-region account, www.twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh, covers Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Follow PennDOT to receive real-time updates.

District 11 offers specialized information for particular roadways and projects. Potential email subscribers should specify preferences for receiving information for the following categories:

• All roadways and bridges in Allegheny, Beaver or Lawrence counties;
• Weekend work and restrictions in Allegheny County (this will only include restrictions and work activities that occur on weekends);
• Parkway East (I-376);
• Parkway West (I-376) ;
• Parkway North (I-279);
• Interstate 79;
• West Liberty Avenue and Liberty Tunnel Improvements;
• Route 28 (Allegheny Valley Expressway);
• Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard);
• Route 48 Boston Bridge; and
• Route 19 Wexford Flats Project.
  

Potential subscribers should send their email address and location preferences to Press Officer Jim Struzzi at jstruzzi@state.pa.us or contact the PennDOT District 11 Press Office by phone at 412-429-5010.