PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
January 20-23, 2012

Traffic Advisory

PennDOT Crews Preparing for Winter Storm Tonight
Call 1-800 FIX ROAD to report conditions

Pittsburgh, PA - PennDOT District 11’s winter maintenance crews in Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties are preparing for a significant winter event predicted to occur tonight through Saturday.

In anticipation, trucks are being mounted with plows today for what is expected to an accumulating snow storm. Adequate salt and material supplies are on hand and equipment has been checked to ensure mechanical readiness. Full crews are out and will remain out treating roadways around-the-clock this weekend. (See attached for PennDOT’s county-by-county winter maintenance facts and figures.)

“With heavy snow followed by a winter mix predicted through tomorrow afternoon, we are preparing for challenging storm,” said Jeff Karr, Assistant District Executive for Maintenance. “We are ready and will be out full force with everything we have as long as necessary.”

Please allow ample space when driving near winter maintenance vehicles. Also, for their own safety and the safety of PennDOT operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

Motorists are urged use caution on area roadways. Although PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of state roads by calling 511 or visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 500 traffic cameras. The 511 site also provides easy-to-use, color-coded winter road conditions for all interstates and other routes covered in the 511 reporting network. Regional Twitter alerts are also available on the 511PA website.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.dot.state.pa.us/winter.

PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA. Citizens can find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the Web site or the toll-free line.

Northbound Route 51 West Carson Street Long-Term
Single Lane Restrictions Implemented Monday in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing long-term restrictions on northbound Route 51 (West Carson Street) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will be implemented on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 23-24.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, crews will install concrete barrier along northbound Route 51 restricting traffic to a single lane between Powell and Saginaw streets. Brief traffic stoppages of 15 minutes or less will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday while the barrier is installed.

The restriction is necessary due to deterioration on the bridge viaduct that elevates Route 51 above railroad tracks. Northbound traffic will remain in a single lane pattern until further notice. Repairs will be needed on the bridge before the restrictions can be lifted. A major project is planned to begin tentatively in 2013 to remove the viaduct.

Motorists should expect delays and changing traffic patterns in the bridge area.

The barrier installation is included in a $1.3 million contract with Lone Pine Construction, Inc. of Bentleyville, PA, for improvements on several bridges in PennDOT District 11.

Lon on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling.

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.