Adjust Text Size
September 16, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

DEP Invites Public to Join Massive Lake Erie Regional Cleanup:
Event Set for September 17 at Several Sites in Region 

ERIE -- The Department of Environmental Protection and local organizations are inviting the public to help clean up the Lake Erie watershed as part of the ninth annual Pennsylvania/Lake Erie International Coastal Cleanup.

The cleanup will take place at sites throughout the region on Saturday, September 17, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

In the past nine years, more than 6,000 participants have collected more than 100,000 pounds of debris and trash from the Lake Erie shoreline and watershed. More than 275,000 trash items collected in September 2010, with cigarette butts, food wrappers, beverage containers and plastic bags being the most commonly found items.

"Every year, this cleanup grows and improves," DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said. "The Erie County Recycling Office and other cleanup organizers are focusing on recyclable materials collected during the cleanup. We anticipate a strong volunteer turnout to push this recycling effort forward."

This year's International Coastal Cleanup will include 15 sites along the Lake Erie shoreline from Raccoon Creek in western Erie County to the North East Marina, 20 Mile Creek and Freeport Beach on the eastern end of the county. Downtown Erie neighborhoods will participate through the Erie Downtown Partnership.

The DEP Coastal Resources Management Program expanded the Lake Erie event in 2003. Coastal Resources Management Environmental Planner and event coordinator Don Benczkowski credits local schools and colleges for participating.

"The cleanup just wouldn't be the same without students from Gannon, Penn State-Erie, Lake Erie College of Medicine and Mercyhurst," Benczkowski said. "Combined with younger kids from area school districts; Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups; fishing organizations and the general public, the cleanup makes a big impact on the watershed's health and the Erie area's quality of life."

The information gathered in past cleanups was used as educational material for environmental programs in local schools and highlighted in the Erie Times-News' Newspapers in Education section.

International Coastal Cleanup is the oldest and largest volunteer project of its kind in the world. For more information, visit www.coastalcleanup.org.

For more information on watersheds, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Water Management.

Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT Mark National Child Passenger Safety Week
Police, Safety Groups to Offer Child Safety Seat Checkpoints Statewide

Harrisburg – State Police and PennDOT are encouraging parents and guardians to participate in free child passenger safety seat checkups throughout Pennsylvania as the agencies kick off National Child Passenger Safety Week, Septe,ber 18-24.

"Ensuring the safety of our most precious cargo must be our first priority every time we get behind the wheel," said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan. "So anytime you have a child in your car, I urge you to take a few extra moments to make sure they are restrained properly. If anyone has any doubts about whether they are using a child safety seat properly, now is the time to visit a safety inspection location." Each of the department's regional troops will conduct at least one checkup during the week.

PennDOT funds resources such as training and educational materials for 142 fitting stations across Pennsylvania, which checked more than 5,000 car seats last year. The checkups are designed to teach parents the proper installation and use of child safety seats.

"We work with our law enforcement and safety organization partners to have these checks available year-round because our children should always be safe in our vehicles," PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E., said. "Nearly eight of every 10 child safety seats is installed incorrectly, so we strongly encourage parents and guardians to take advantage of these free opportunities."

In 2010, nine children, from newborns to age eight, lost their lives in vehicle crashes in the state and more than 2,086 were injured.

Pennsylvania law requires that children under the age of 4 ride in a federally-approved car seat that is appropriate for the child's age, height and weight. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 must use a booster seat if they are no longer in a car seat. State law also requires children between the ages of 8 and 18 must use a seat belt. Because of the potential dangers associated with air bag deployment, the state police also recommend that children ages 12 and under always ride in a vehicle's back seat.

The department's Bureau of Patrol offered the following tips:

• Use the car's seat belt to anchor the seat to the car unless you are using a child safety seat with the LATCH system;
• Read and follow the car seat manufacturer's instructions;
• Fill out and return the registration card for your seat so you'll know if it is recalled because of a problem;
• Make sure the seat's harness fits snugly; and
• Use a tether strap if the seat requires it.

For more information on car seat safety and to get a list of state police car seat safety inspection locations and dates, click on the "Public Services"
link at www.psp.state.pa.us. To view a list of PennDOT-supported car seat checks and see how PennDOT promotes child passenger safety, visit www.DriveSafePA.org, then follow the links for "Traffic Safety Information Center" and "Child Passenger Safety."

South Hills Interfaith Ministries Fall Food Drive  

South Hills Interfaith Ministries (SHIM) needs your help! The shelves at SHIM's Food Pantry are bare. People throughout the South Hills are responding to this need by participating in SHIM's Fall Food Drive to help restock the Pantry.

The Fall Food Drive will run through October 17th. The most pressing needs are for cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta sauce, canned tuna, and packaged side dishes (like rice-a-roni or instant potatoes).

More information and food drive resources are available online at www.shim-center.org. You can also sign up to participate on SHIM's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/southhillsinterfaithministries) or on Twitter (follow @SHIMpgh and use hashtag #FallFoodDrive).

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
September 16-19, 2011

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, Sept. 16-19.

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 Liberty Bridge (Route 3069) to northbound I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard) in the City of Pittsburgh will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday. Signs will be posted to guide motorists. In addition, the following restrictions will occur this weekend during the same timeframe:

• Single lane traffic on southbound I-579 approaching the Liberty Bridge;
• Restrictions and traffic shifts on Fifth Avenue from Washington Place to Sixth Avenue,
• Single lane closures on Forbes Avenue from Ross Street to Boyd Street.

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.

Full release: I-79 Bridgeville to Washington Improvements Continue Nightly Next Week
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/t9rve

Parkway East/Central (I-376)
Bridge Inspection

A single lane closure will occur on the outbound (eastbound) Parkway East/Central (I-376) in the area of the Oakland/Bates Street interchange (Exit 73) in City of Pittsburgh from 6 a.m. to noon Sunday to allow consultant crews to conduct inspection activities on the bridge that carries the outbound Parkway East over Frazier and Swinburne streets.

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

Overhead Signs
Single lane closures on the outbound (eastbound) Parkway East (I-376) from the Edgewood/Swissvale Interchange (Exit 77) to the Forest Hills/Route 30 off-ramp (Exit 78A) will occur from 8 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. on Saturday. Some restrictions may also occur on Saturday and Sunday nights if work cannot be completed Friday. Crews will conduct overhead sign repairs.

Full release: Outbound Parkway East Overhead Sign Repairs Friday Night
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/7sy2j

Parkway West
(Outbound)/Fort Pitt Tunnel

Paving
The outbound (westbound) Fort Pitt Tunnel on the Parkway West (I-376) in the City of Pittsburgh will be closed from 10 p.m. Sunday through 4 a.m. Monday. PennDOT maintenance crews will be milling and paving the outbound Parkway West near the tunnel exit and garage. Signs will be posted to guide motorists onto westbound Carson Street (Route 837 Exit 69C) to the West End to southbound Route 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard) back to the outbound Parkway West.

Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/bgzn6

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 continue 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 reconstruction will continue in the area of the Great Southern Shopping Center. 

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.