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TURNPIKE COMMISSION ANNOUNCES INFORMATION SOURCES FOR WESTMORELAND COUNTY
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
HARRISBURG PA. (May 3, 2002) —
Roadway construction is moving into full swing across the commonwealth,
and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is reminding motorists of the
variety of informative resources available about the Westmoreland County
total-reconstruction project between the New Stanton Interchange (#8/75)
and the Donegal Interchange (#9/91).
To keep travelers informed of
construction activity and traffic patterns throughout the 9-mile project,
the Turnpike offers several tools to provide customers with access to
current construction and traffic information 24-hours a day, seven days a
week. These sources include:
- A
project-specific web site — www.paturnpike.com/rt7685
— provides a detailed description of current traffic patterns and
planned construction activity throughout the project. It also provides
an e-mail page to enable the user to forward comments and questions
about the project to the Turnpike.
- Real-time
traffic cameras on the web site provide viewers with snapshots of
traffic throughout the project. These snapshots are updated every 60
seconds and are available 24 hours a day. Three cameras are positioned
throughout the project.
- A
toll-free project information hotline is available. By calling
1-866-The Pike (or 1-866-843-7453) travelers can hear the most
up-to-date report on construction and traffic restrictions in the
project. This information is updated on an “as needed” basis,
which means several times a day, or, at a minimum, once a week.
- A
project-specific brochure is available by request on the web site. The
brochure serves as an additional information resource for this
total-reconstruction project. It contains information on the current
project status, the various stages of construction, and other
pertinent details. The brochure will be updated as construction
progresses through its various stages.
In addition to these resources,
the Turnpike continues to employ the Highway Advisory Radio, electronic
message boards, directional signage, and *11 emergency cellular phone
service as guides and safety features throughout the entire system.
Angelo
Iafrate Construction Co., Warren, Mich., is the general contractor on this
$50 million project. The contract includes the rehabilitation of four
bridges, installation of concrete median barrier, drainage and guide rail.
KCI Technologies Inc. is providing construction management and inspection
services. All earthwork has been completed; paving will soon begin on the
westbound roadway and shoulder. Overall, the project is on schedule and
expected to be completed this fall.
The total reconstruction of the Turnpike is one of the commission’s most
important long-term initiatives representing an investment of more that $1
billion over the next decade. Two sections of the Turnpike totaling some
15 miles have already been rebuilt. Three additional projects that total
more than 30 miles of new roadway (including the milepost 76-85 project)
are presently being constructed. In addition, 10 other reconstruction
projects are on the drawing board and scheduled to be bid incrementally
over the next ten years. The total reconstruction of the Turnpike, begun
in 1999, signifies the first time that the toll road — known as
“America’s First Superhighway” — has been replaced from the ground
up since it opened in October 1940.
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