Below you will find an announcement from PennDOT regarding their 2012 projects. One of the major projects impacting Council District 7, the Route 28 reconstruction, is listed towards the top. Please also be sure to note the Work Zone Laws and increased penalties listed below the projects. *Emily Keebler **· Office of Patrick Dowd · Pittsburgh City Council District 7* *510 City-County Building · 414 Grant Street · Pittsburgh PA 15219 · 412 255 2140* *emily.keebler@pittsburghpa.gov <emily.keebler@city.pittsburgh.pa.us> · www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7* ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Struzzi, James <JSTRUZZI@pa.gov> Date: Wed, Mar 14, 2012 at 1:21 PM Subject: PennDOT Announces 2012 Allegheny County Highway and Bridge Improvement Projects To: *[image: PennDOTColorLogo]*** * * *News for Immediate Release* ** ** *March 14, 2012 * * * *PennDOT Announces 2012 Allegheny County Highway and Bridge Improvement Projects* ** ** *Pittsburgh, PA *- PennDOT District 11 is pleased to announce major improvements will occur in 2012 on state-owned roads and bridges in Allegheny County.**** ** ** District 11 will invest an estimated $220.1 million on 102 projects to improve, preserve or rehabilitate key infrastructure including 54 bridges in Allegheny County in 2012. In addition, 69 miles of roadway will be paved or resurfaced and 12 landslides will be remediated at a cost of $13.7 million. **** ** ** “This will be an important year for Allegheny County as we will see significant projects underway that are vital to maintaining our infrastructure,” District Executive Dan Cessna said. “Many of those projects are going to impact traffic, particularly in the downtown Pittsburgh area. We urge motorists to use caution, be informed, be patient and stay alert in highway work zones for the safety of highway workers and themselves.”**** ** ** Here’s a preview of the major improvements scheduled for 2012 in Allegheny County:**** ** ** *Parkway East (Interstate 376) Squirrel Hill Tunnel Rehabilitation:* **· **Work on a major $49.4 million project to rehabilitate the Squirrel Hill Tunnel will begin March 19. Westbound (inbound) work will occur in 2012 followed by eastbound work next year. The project includes update electrical systems, lighting system, control system, ventilation system, structural repairs to the walls and arched ceiling, installation of a water line and other improvements. To minimize impacts on the traveling public, rehabilitation work on the bridge that carries the Parkway East over Commercial Street will be performed as part of the tunnel project. Expansion dam on ramps at the Edgewood Swissvale interchange (Exit 77) will also be replaced. The work will require overnight and weekend single lane traffic in the tunnel. In addition, 16 weekend closures (8 westbound in 2012, 8 eastbound in 2013) will occur as part of the project. No full closures will occur on weeknights. Only one direction will be restricted at a time. Overall work will conclude in summer 2014.**** * * *Fort Pitt and Duquesne Bridge Ramps* **· **Work on an $8.7 million project to resurface several ramps connecting the Fort Pitt (I-376) and Fort Duquesne (I-279) bridges to various roadways will begin in early spring. Short-term closures and restrictions will occur. Overall work will conclude in fall 2013. **** * * *I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Veterans Bridge Preservation:* **· ***Phase I: *The $18 million Phase I project to rehabilitate and preserve bridges and ramps on Crosstown Boulevard started early in 2010. Work and lane closures will continue through late 2012.**** **· ***Phase II:* Work on the $17 million Phase II includes ramp and mainline improvements on the Veterans Bridge. Long-term lane closures and ramp detours will occur. Work will begin in late March and conclude in fall 2013.* ***** * * *Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements – *Several contracts will be underway simultaneously this season to create dramatic improvements on Route 28 between the 40th Street Bridge and the Heinz Plant * * - *Railroad relocation/East Ohio Street Prep: *The $24.8 million project* *will conclude this year. The project is constructing new ramps at the 31 st Street Bridge. ** **· ***40th Street Bridge Interchange: *The first section of the East Ohio Street widening project on Route 28 started in 2010 and will also conclude this year. The $21.9 million project created two thru-lanes on southbound Route 28 to allow traffic to free flow through the intersection with the 40th Street Bridge. Traffic impacts should be minimal this year. ** **· ***East Ohio Street at 31st Street Bridge: *The largest section and the fourth phase of the Route 28 East Ohio Street improvement projects started in late 2011. This $36.5 million project will reconstruct Route 28 and create a new grade-separated interchange at the 31st Street Bridge. Long-term lane closure and detours will occur through 2014.**** **· ***Millvale Bridge Preservation: *A project will begin on Route 28 to address severe bridge deterioration at the Millvale interchange. The estimated $3-4 million project includes milling and resurfacing, bridge preservation, expansion dams, repairs, painting and other improvements. Off-peak restrictions and short-term detours will occur. **** ** ** *Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard)* Route 65 through Allegheny County will be a focused corridor for improvements again in 2012.**** **· ***Marshall Avenue Interchange: *Phase II work on the mainline bridges that carry Route 65 over Route 19 in Pittsburgh will continue with detours through late August/early September. The $20 million project is rehabilitating the mainline and ramp structures including deck replacement, substructure spall repairs, replacing expansion dams, bearing replacements, steel repairs, cleaning and painting of structural steel, approach slab replacement, highway lighting and other improvements. **** **· ***Avalon Bridge: *Work on a $1.7 million project to replace the deck on a small bridge on Route 65 in Avalon Borough will continue through summer. Lane closures are occurring.** **· ***Lowries Run Bridge: *Work will conclude in early spring on this $3.3 million project to replace the bridge that carries Route 65 over Lowries Run Road east of Camp Horne Road in Emsworth Borough. Lane closures will occur. ** **· ***Resurfacing and Upgrades: *Two projects to mill and resurface and upgrade Route 65 will occur this construction season. The first, estimated at $1-2 million, will occur from Charles Willow Street to Hazelwood Avenue in Emsworth Borough and the other project, estimated at $5-6 million, from Beaver County to the Sewickley Bridge. Restrictions will occur during off-peak hours. * * ** ** *Interstate 79* - *Warrendale-Bayne Mingo Road Bridges: *Only minor work remains on this $10 million project that started last year to improve the bridges over Mingo Road (Route 4041) and Warrendale-Bayne Road (Route 4052) and the ramp from northbound I-79 to Cranberry (Exit 76), which passes over southbound I-79. Lane closures will occur. Work will be completed early this year.** ** - *Bridgeville to Washington County:* Concrete spall repairs, signage and minor work remain on this $2.6 million project to improve I-79 from the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54) to Washington County that started last year. Lane closures will occur. Overall work will conclude this summer.** ** *Broughton/Baptist Road Intersection: *This $3.9 million project will improve safety and reduce congestion at the intersection of Broughton Road (Route 2040) and Baptist Road (Route 3009) in Bethel Park Borough. Work is scheduled to begin in late March includes reconstructing and widening the intersection to add turning lanes, improve drainage, retaining walls, new traffic signals, curbing and bituminous resurfacing. Overall work will conclude in fall 2013. Detours and lane closures will occur. * * * * *Tri-Boro T Intersection:* Work will begin this spring to reconstruct the final T leg of the elevated Route 2037 Tri-Boro Expressway intersection with East Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard in East Pittsburgh. The estimated $16-17 million project will require a detour. Work will conclude in fall 2013. **** ** ** *Banksville Road Improvements:* Estimated between $4-5 million, this project will mill and resurface, upgrade drainage, guide rail, and other improvements on Banksville Road (Route 19) from Beverly Road to the Parkway West in Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and the City of Pittsburgh. Lane closures will occur. Work will conclude in late fall. * * ** ** *Route 30 Electric Avenue Bridges:* Work is underway to replace the bridges that carry Route 30 over Electric Avenue (Route 2112) in North Braddock. The $7.8 million project will require lane restrictions, ramp detours and crossovers on Route 30 with work concluding in fall 2013. **** * * *Presto-Sygan (Route 3028) Bridge: *This $823,589 project will begin this spring to replace the bridge that carries Presto-Sygan Road over Thoms Run in South Fayette Township. Traffic will be detoured. Work will conclude in late 2013. **** * * *Presley Road (Route 3031) Bridge: *Work will begin this fall on a $1 million project to replace the bridge that carries Presley Road over Chartiers Creek in Collier Township. Traffic will be detoured. Work will conclude in late 2013. * * * * *Curry Hollow Road (Route 2040) Bridge: *Work to replace and improve this bridge over railroad tracks on Curry Hollow Road near Route 51 and the Value City shopping plaza in Pleasant Hills is underway. A turning lane will be added as part of the $5.6 million project. Long-term lane closures will occur. * * * * *Bridge Street (Route 1001) over Pine Creek:* This $1.26 million project will replace the deck on the bridge that carries Bridge Street over Pine Creek in Etna Borough and a second bridge on Freeport Road over Barge Basin in Harrison Township. Detours and lane closures will occur. The project will begin March 22 with completion set for this fall. **** * * *Route 30 Five Points Intersection: *Work will begin this spring on a $2.3 million project to widen and improve the intersection of Route 30 and Old Steubenville Pike (Route 3066) near the Route 22 interchange in North Fayette Township. Lane closures, shifts and ramp detours are expected. Work will conclude next fall. **** ** ** *Route 8 Hardies Road Intersection:* Work will begin late this year to widen and add turning lanes on Route 8 from the PA Turnpike Interchange to Hardies Road. The $2.7 million project will require lane closures. Work will conclude in fall 2013. ** * * *Route 51 over Montour Run:* This $1.8 million project will rehabilitate the bridge that carries Route 51 (Coraopolis Boulevard) over a township road and Montour Run in Robinson Township. Weekend detours may occur. Work will conclude in late summer 2012.**** ** ** *Hulton Road Bridge Replacement:* Work on this $1.3 million project includes replacing the bridge that carries Route 2058 Hulton Road over Plum Creek in Plum Borough and Penn Hills Township. Traffic will be detoured during construction. Work will conclude in late summer. **** * * *Washington Pike Over Coal Run:* Work to replace and improve the bridge that carries Route 3003 Washington Pike over Coal Run in South Fayette Township will begin in late fall. The estimate $1-2 million project will continue through fall 2013. Traffic will be maintained during construction. **** ** ** *Noblestown Road Culvert Replacement:* Estimated between $0-1 million, this project set to begin in mid-summer will replace the bridge that carries Noblestown Road (Route 3048) over Robinson Run in North Fayette Township. Work will conclude in late fall. Traffic will be detoured.**** ** ** *Broadhead Road Bridge Replacement: *Traffic will be maintained with trucks detoured while work on a $1.3 million project to replace the bridge that carries Broadhead Road (Route 3077) over Flaugherty Run Creek in Moon Township progresses through late fall.**** ** ** *Route 130 Tri-Boro Wall Repair:* Set to begin this summer, this estimated $0-1 million project will repair five bin walls on the Tri-Boro Expressway between Sycamore Street and Maple Avenue. Work will conclude in fall 2013.** ** ** ** *Route 148 Lysle Boulevard Improvements:* Work includes concrete pavement patching, bituminous overlay, curb ramps, and traffic signal upgrades on two miles of Route 148 from Walnut Street to Jerome Street Bridge in McKeesport. The estimated $3-4 million project will begin in late spring and conclude this fall. Lane closures will be required. **** ** ** *Route 366 Bull Creek Road Improvements:* Estimated between $9-10 million, this project includes bridge preservation, concrete reconstruction, drainage and intersection improvements on 2.76 miles of Route 366/1034 from Route 28 to the Tarentum Bridge in Tarentum Borough and Fawn and Harrison townships. Work will begin in late spring and conclude this fall. Lane closures will be required.**** ** ** *Route 885 Clairton Road Improvements:* Work to mill and overlay, update guide rail, signals and drainage on 1.32 miles of Route 885 from College Drive to Lebanon Church Road in West Mifflin Borough will begin this spring and conclude this fall. Lane closure and crossovers will occur. The project is estimated at $2-3 million.**** ** ** *Route 4052 Warrendale Bayne Road Improvements: *Work on this $5-6 million project will include intersection widening on 1.5 miles of Warrendale-Bayne Road in Marshall Township. The project will begin this spring and conclude this fall. Lane closures will occur. **** * * *Northbound Route 28 Blawnox off-ramp over Squaw Run: *Located in O’Hara Township, this $1 million project started in 2011 is rehabilitating a culvert that carries the ramp from northbound Route 28 to Blawnox over Squaw Run. Work will continue through fall 2012. Minimal restrictions will occur. **** ** ** *Clairton-Glassport Bridge (Route 2038):* Started in 2011, this $4 million project to preserve and rehabilitate the Clairton-Glassport Bridge over the Monongahela River in Clairton will conclude in early spring. Traffic signal and bridge bearing work will occur requiring lane closures. **** ** ** *Route 48 Boston Bridge: *Started in 2010, this $17 million project to rehabilitate the bridge that carries Route 48 over the Youghiogheny River in Elizabeth Township and Versailles Borough will continue through early 2012. Short-term lane closures and detours will be required.**** ** ** *Route 19 Wexford Flats: *Work started in 2011 on this $18.1 million project to widen and add a center turn lane on Route 19 from Longvue Road (near top of Pine Creek Hill) to just north of North Chapel/Manor Road in Pine and Marshall Townships. Long-term lane closures and traffic shifts are occurring. Overall work will conclude in late 2012. **** ** ** *Route 50 Washington Pike:* Bridge and minor work remain on this $6.7 million project on Route 50 from Anderson Equipment in Collier Township to Boden Avenue in Carnegie Borough. Lane closures will occur. Work will continue through early summer 2012. **** * * *McKnight Road Route 4003: *Work will conclude this spring on an $8.8 million project that improved McKnight Road from Nelson Run to Babcock Boulevard in Ross and McCandless Townships. Lane closures will occur through late spring for bridge and curb work.**** ** ** *West End Bridge:* A project to improve traffic flow on the West End Bridge in Pittsburgh started in late 2011. The $1.1 million project will conclude early spring 2012. Minor lane closures may occur. **** ** ** *Landslides* Several projects will be underway this construction season to address major landslides: **** **· ***Route 48 Mosside Boulevard: *Work on a $1-2 million project to repair a landslide on Route 48 in North Versailles Township and Wall Borough will begin this year and continue through early 2013. Lane closures may occur.**** **· ***Route 51 Island Avenue:* Traffic will be maintained using temporary traffic signals as this estimated $0-1 million project addresses a landslide on Route 51 in Stowe Township. Work will begin this spring and conclude this fall.**** **· ***Route 1013 Saxonburg Boulevard: *Estimated at $1-2 million, work to repair a landslide on Saxonburg Boulevard in West Deer Township will require a traffic detour. Work will begin this year and conclude in early 2013.**** **· ***Route 2001 Bunola River Road: *Traffic will be detoured while this estimated $2-3 million project addresses a landslide on Bunola River Road in Forward Township. Work will begin this year and continue through fall 2013.**** **· ***Route 2065 Thompson Run Road: *This estimated $1-2 million project will also require a detour as work begins in this summer to repair a slide on Thompson Run Road in Monroeville. Work will continue through early fall 2013.**** **· ***Route 4032 Fern Hollow Road:* Located in Bell Acres Borough, this $0-500,000 project will stabilize a slope, repair drainage and reconstruct Fern Hollow Road this summer.**** **· ***Route 4063 Pearce Mill Road: *Two different projects, estimated between $500,000 and $1.2 million will address landslides on Pearce Mill Road in Pine Township. Work will begin in this summer and continue through fall 2013. Detours will be required. **** ** *Group Resurfacing Contracts* The routes listed below will be milled and resurfaced in 2012 under contract group projects (work areas may be subject to change).**** ** ** **· ***Frankstown Road (Route 380)* from Tokay Street to Verona Road (Route 2058)**** **· ***Freeport Road (Route 1001)* from Route 910 (Gibsonia Road) to Cheswick Avenue**** **· ***Boulevard of the Allies (Route 2208) *from Commonwealth Place to Liberty Bridge**** **· ***West Ingomar Road (Route 4070)* from Highland Road to new pavement near Route 19**** **· ***Library Road (Route 88)* from Washington County to South Park Road**** **· ***Finney Road (Route 2025) *from Route 48 (Boston Hollow Road) to West Smithfield Road**** **· ***Boyce Road (Route 3006) *from Hunting Ridge Road to Birds Meadow Drive**** **· ***Berryman Road (Route 3011) *from Stoltz Road to Library Road (Route 88) **** **· ***Prestley Road (Route 3031) *from Washington Road (Route 50) to Thoms Run Road**** **· ***Second Avenue (Route 885) *from Glenwood Bridge to Greenfield Avenue**** **· ***Route 910 (Gibsonia Road) *from Hardt Road to Route 8 and from Mountainview Road to Pennsylvania Turnpike overpass**** **· ***Burchfield Road (Route 1006) *from Route 8 to Middle Road**** **· ***Soose Road (Route 4013) *from Parker Street to Wible Run Road **** **· ***Sewickley-Oakmont Road (Route 4022) *from Rochester Road to Route 19**** **· ***Deer Run Road (Route 4033) *from Kilbuck Street to Red Gate Road* * **** ** ** In addition to the work listed above, District 11 will be making many improvements to the transportation system in Allegheny County through various County Maintenance activities. District 11 will also be performing numerous bridge preservation and washing projects around the county in a continuing effort to address critical bridge needs. Visit www.state.pa.us/district11 for more information on PennDOT activities in Allegheny County.**** *Work Zone Safety Tips* In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point. Once at the merge point, motorists are encouraged to *take turns* merging into the open lane and continue through the work zone. When motorists cooperate and use the late merge system, it will create a zipper like effect with traffic which will reduce the length of the queue, allow traffic to move more fluidly and also prevent a lot of aggressive merging. **** If you encounter our work zones, please keep the following tips in mind for your safety and the safety of highway workers.**** **· **Drive the posted work-zone speed limit. **** **· **Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers. **** **· **Turn on your headlights. **** **· **Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Don´t tailgate. **** **· **Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly. **** **· **Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road. *** * **· **Always buckle up. **** **· **Expect the unexpected. **** **· **Be patient.**** Work Zone Laws - Pennsylvania´s work zone safety laws are designed to protect both highway workers and motorists:**** Posted work zones - *Headlights On - *All motorists are required to travel with their headlights turned on in all posted work zones, not just active work zones. It is necessary for drivers in vehicles with daytime running lights to turn on their headlights in order to activate their taillights.**** Active Work Zones - *Posting of Active Work Zones - *Active work zones are designated by a white flashing light attached to an “Active Work Zone” sign to notify motorists when they enter and leave the work zone. The flashing light will only be activated when workers are present and turned off when workers are not present.**** *Fifteen-Day Loss of License for Driving Dangerously - *Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, will automatically lose their license for 15 days.**** *Fines Doubled/Jail Time Increased - *Fines for certain traffic violations - including speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices - are doubled for active work zones. Also, the law provides for up to five years of additional jail time for individuals convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash that occurred in an active work zone.**** To receive press releases and traffic advisories from PennDOT District 11, send your email address to jstruzzi@pa.gov. Information on key projects is also available on District 11’s construction hotline number, 412-429-6035.** ** ** ** PennDOT advises motorists to use caution, slow down, and expect changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area. Motorists are also reminded they can log on to 511pa.com <http://www.511pa.com/> or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling. **** ** ** *Media Contact: *Jim Struzzi, Press Officer, (412) 429-5010 (Office), (412) 292-9357 (Cell Phone)** ** ** # # #**** ** **