Adjust Text Size
October 21, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

Senate News Brief

Preview

UPCOMING HEARINGS:
OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS, PSSA TEST ANOMALIES, JNET

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance (Cumberland), will hold a follow-up public hearing on past payment practices of the Office of Developmental Programs. An earlier hearing revealed a significant lack of fiscal oversight of funds meant to provide services for those with intellectual disabilities. (9 a.m. Senate Majority Caucus Room)
 
The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (Dauphin), will hold a public hearing to receive testimony from Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis on results of department investigation and analysis of 2009 PSSA testing anomalies. (10:30 a.m. Hearing Room 1 N. Office Bldg.)
 
The Senate Communications and Technology Committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Folmer (Lebanon), will hold a public hearing to learn more about the state Justice Network. JNET is the Commonwealth's primary public safety and criminal justice information broker, providing a common online environment for authorized users to access public safety and criminal justice information. (9:30 a.m. Room 8 E-A)

Review 

Committee Highlights Bills to Modernize State System of Higher Education

The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (Dauphin), held a public hearing on Thursday to hear testimony on a package of bipartisan bills intended to modernize and update the statute governing the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

The measures are aimed at helping the 14 SSHE schools raise needed funds, speed up campus projects and recruit research-driven faculty.

Among those testifying were SSHE Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh, the presidents of West Chester University and Shippensburg University, faculty representatives and others.

Hearing Video and Testimony 

Appropriations Committee Holds Hearings at Temple, Lincoln Universities

The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), continued its series of statewide public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities, holding hearings Wednesday at Temple University and Thursday at Lincoln University.

Temple and Lincoln are two of four state-related universities, meaning that they receive state funds but are independently operated. They share this status with the Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh, where the committee held previous hearings. The committee heard testimony from university officials on a variety of topics, including the impact of the state budget on the university's operation.

According to Senator Corman, "Our objective is to examine how the state-related universities operate and the role they play in our higher education system. Like our other institutions of higher learning, state-relateds have faced the tough challenge of doing more with less during these difficult fiscal times."
 

Housing Needs, Affordability Focus of Committee Hearing

The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw (Lycoming), heard testimony October 4 on the lack of affordable housing in Lycoming County.

The panel heard from county housing officials and other participants on the need for safer, more affordable housing options in the county. Early next year, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a bipartisan legislative research agency, will begin a longitudinal research study to document the economic and community impacts, including housing, of the Marcellus Shale development in Lycoming, Bradford, Greene and Washington counties.

Hearing Video and Testimony

Game and Fisheries Committee Examines Quail, Pheasant Management

The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Alloway (Franklin), held a public hearing October 7 in Mercersburg to examine the state's quail and pheasant management programs.

The hearing included an update on the Commonwealth's Wild Pheasant Recovery Area, Pheasant Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and Quail Management Plan. Representatives of the national habitat conservation group Pheasants Forever were also on hand for comments regarding the programs.
Hearing Video and Testimony

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT Traffic AlertsPennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Projects
October 21-24, 2011
 

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, Oct. 21-24.

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 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-79
*Motorists are advised to expect significant delays; alternate routes should be considered. *

Roadwork (Bridgeville) 
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 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Full release: I-79 Bridgeville to Washington Single Lane Traffic This Weekend
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/dg9vz  

Bridge Work (Northern Allegheny County) 
Traffic on I-79 in the area of the bridge over Mingo Road (Route 4051) north of Exit 73 (Wexford) in Marshall Township will be reduced to a single lane in both directions from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. Only one of three lanes will remain open in each direction. Crews will be installing seals on the approaches and deck of the new bridges. Southbound restrictions will occur first followed by northbound work. Delays and stop conditions should be expected.

*Motorists are advised to expect significant delays; alternate routes should be considered. *

Full release: I-79 Single Lane Traffic Friday Night North Of Exit 73 in Marshall
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/29j9y 

Parkway East
Bridge Inspection (City of Pittsburgh) 
Short-term lane closures on the westbound (inbound) Parkway East/Central (I-376) in the City of Pittsburgh will occur from 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday for bridge inspection on the overhead ramp that connects the Boulevard of the Allies to the outbound Parkway East near the Birmingham Bridge. No restrictions will occur on the outbound Parkway East.

Full release: Westbound I-376 Parkway East Lane Closures Saturday in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/9krcm  

Utility Work (Monroeville)
Several traffic stoppages of 15 minutes or less will occur as needed between 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday on the Parkway East in the area near Thompson Run Road overpass (between Exits 81-84) in Monroeville. Crews from Sargent Electric, under a contract with Duquesne Light, will be performing work over the Parkway East.

Full release: Parkway East Traffic Stoppage Sunday Morning in Monroeville for Utility Work
Google Map of Area:   http://g.co/maps/qbpqp

Parkway North/Fort Duquesne Bridge (Downtown Pittsburgh) 
A single, right lane closure on the outbound (northbound) Fort Duquesne Bridge approaching the Parkway North (I-279) in the City of Pittsburgh will occur from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Crews will be resetting bearings.

Full release: Outbound Lane Closure Saturday on Fort Duquesne Bridge in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area:   http://g.co/maps/ctpch

Route 22
Roadwork (North Fayette)
The following ramps on Route 22 at the Route 30/978 Imperial Interchange in North Fayette Township will be closed Saturday for milling and resurfacing:

• Eastbound Route 22 to Route 30 (west) and Route 978 (east)closed 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday
• Eastbound Route 30 to westbound Route 22 closed 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Signs will be posted to guide motorists during the closures.

Full release: Route 22 Ramp Resurfacing Continues Saturday in North Fayette
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/rbhx4

Route 28/40th Street Bridge
40th Street Bridge Closed in Millvale
The 40th Street Bridge at the intersection with Route 28 (Allegheny Valley Expressway) in the Borough of Millvale will be fully closed from 8 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday. All access to and from the bridge will be closed. Crews will be reconstructing the intersection with Route 28. All southbound traffic on Route 28 will use the new bypass lanes.

Full release: 40Th Street Bridge Fully Closed this Weekend in Millvale
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/x3umb

Business Route 22/Parkway East
Bridge Work (Monroeville)
Business Route 22 (Route 2048) will be closed in both directions from 11 p.m. on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday in the area under the outbound (eastbound) Parkway East (I-376) in the municipality of Monroeville. Crews will place beams for the new bridge that will carry the outbound Parkway East over Business Route 22. Signs will be posted to guide motorists during the overnight closure.

Motorists will still be able to access the Pennsylvania Turnpike from eastbound Business Route 22 and the inbound Parkway East and Pennsylvania Turnpike from westbound Business Route 22. Traffic coming off the Pennsylvania Turnpike accessing westbound Business Route 22 will need to use the posted detour to bypass the closure.

Single lane traffic will also occur nightly on the outbound Parkway East in the bridge area according the following schedule:
Friday night - 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Saturday night - 10 p.m. to 10 a.m.
Sunday night - 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Full release: Business Route 22 Closed Saturday Night in Monroeville
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/3743k

Route 50
Roadwork (Bridgeville-Carnegie)
The following work to improve Route 50 (Washington Road/Pike) and Greentree Road (Route 3052) in Collier and Scott townships and Heidelberg and Carnegie boroughs will occur from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Monday:

• Crews will be rehabilitating the deck on the bridge that carries Greentree Road over Chartiers Creek (near the intersection with Route 50 across from Walgreens by the Exxon station). All traffic will use the inside lanes of the bridge (outside right lanes closed).

• Route 50 will be widened in the area of the Thoms Run Road intersection. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane.

• Single lane traffic will occur on Route 50 in both directions for paving between Collier Avenue in Heidelberg and Boden Avenue in Carnegie

Full release: Route 50 and Greentree Road Single Lane this Weekend
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/tgt2

Long-Term:
 
Route 65
Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in the City of Pittsburgh is closed long-term in both directions at the Marshall Avenue (Route 19) interchange. 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 Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/qjve

Route 28
Northbound Route 28 is reduced to a single lane between the Chestnut Street Overpass and the 40th Street Bridge in the City of Pittsburgh through 2014.

Full release: Next Phase of Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements Begins Monday in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/atdy

Crosstown I-579 Bridges and Ramps

The bridges that connect Sixth and Seventh avenues to Washington Place over I-579 near the Civic Arena are closed continuously through mid-November 2011

Full release: I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Ramp Closures Long-Term Detours Begin this Weekend in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/45q3u

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.