Media & Public Relations

Pa. Turnpike uses Technology to Monitor, Manage Traffic for I-95 Link Project

Message signs to display project and construction alerts
on interstates and local roads.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is putting technology to work to communicate to motorists during the upcoming construction stage on the Pa. Turnpike/I-95 Link in Bucks County. Installation will begin today on a series of devices that will provide real-time information and allow motorists to make informed decisions and minimize delays during construction of the new mainline toll plaza (east of the Bensalem Interchange) and Delaware River Toll Plaza, expected to begin next year.

The Commission announced that eight Dynamic Messaging Signs (DMS) and two Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTVs) will be installed and activated on or near Interstates 95 and 276 and on the New Jersey Turnpike as part of its multi-million project to connect the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 276) with Interstate 95.

A $3.4 million Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) contract was awarded to Carr and Duff Inc. in May. Funded wholly by Turnpike toll revenues, the contract provides for deployment of DMS and CCTV in the work zone between milepost 350-359 on I-276, one mile west of the Bensalem Interchange (Exit #351) and one mile east of the Delaware Valley Interchange (Exit #358) in Bucks County and on the New Jersey Turnpike’s Pennsylvania extension.

Part of the overall Stage-1 work completed or under way since 2010, construction on the ITS project is scheduled to begin at two locations, Street Road (State Route 132) and U.S. 1, this week with the installation of four DMS. The remaining four DMS and two CCTV devices will be installed by late 2013.

The message signs (DMS) and cameras (CCTV) will be strategically located on interstates and state routes with the intention of informing motorists of travel conditions in the construction areas. As a result, they can anticipate travel times and plan for alternate routes depending upon the conditions at the time.

DMS will be located in these areas: Pa. Turnpike milepost 350.2 (eastbound); N.J. Turnpike milepost P1.0 to P1.5 (westbound); U.S. Route 1 between Old Lincoln Highway and Bristol Road (one southbound and one northbound); U.S. 13 (Bristol Pike) between Beaver Dam Road and Airport Road (one southbound and one northbound); and State Route 132 (Street Road) between Richlieu Road and Reading Avenue (one eastbound and one westbound).

CCTVs will be located on the Pa. Turnpike at milepost 350.5 (eastbound) and at the Delaware Valley Interchange eastbound on-ramp.

Construction-related activities with impacts to traffic associated with the installation of a DMS in the center median on Street Road (State Route 132) and U.S. Route 1 will begin this week (Sept. 17) with single-lane traffic restrictions on Street Road. The work will require lane closures (7 p.m. – 6 a.m.) for shoulder reconstruction and placement of temporary concrete barrier prior to traffic being shifted to the shoulder.

Once all permanent DMS/CCTV devices are installed and activated, travel conditions and other messages concerning incidents and delays will be displayed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, higher priority messages will be displayed in the event of a major incident, hazardous weather conditions, AMBER alerts or other emergencies on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 95 and the New Jersey Turnpike.

The message signs and cameras will remain in place permanently as part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s and PennDOT’s ITS network in Lower Bucks County.

Advanced notification of major work activities impacting traffic on state routes, Interstates 276 and 95, will be provided via regional media, portable message boards, and postings on the Turnpike website at www.paturnpikei95.com. Motorists are advised to be prepared for bi-directional and intermittent lane closures and reduced speeds of 40/55 mph when traveling within the project limits between Bensalem and the Delaware River Toll Plaza when mainline construction starts in 2013.

Travelers can get Turnpike traffic alerts by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747) or visiting the live Travel Conditions Map online at www.paturnpike.com/webmap. The Turnpike’s smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users so they can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.

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