The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reminds motorists that regardless of gas prices, people continue to travel this summer and can expect that interstate construction could hamper the trip if they venture out unprepared.

PennDOT Engineering District 4 has a number of interstate work zones in place as they address the rehabilitation and reconstruction of bridges through the northeastern Pennsylvania counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne. By implementing new safety technology, suggesting alternate routes around interstate construction and offering tips to ease your travel through the work-zones.

What you can expect

Interstate construction likely will impact motorists’ travel plans with lane restrictions that tend to slow traffic during peak hours. Weekday travel through these work zones flows steadily but increases significantly in volume beginning Friday and Sunday afternoons and lasting through the evening.

Some night-time work is scheduled, but most of the work will occur during the daytime. Most work zones will have restrictive patterns in place around the clock. Drivers should expect and plan for lane restrictions and possible delays. However, PennDOT will make every effort to maintain two lanes of travel whenever possible.

Improvements to be implemented

PennDOT district officials met recently with Pennsylvania State Police who have jurisdiction over the interstate corridors to discuss ways to keep motorists safe and traffic moving.

Within the week signs in the Lackawanna County interstate work zone, which extends from Exits 190 (Dickson City/Main Ave.) to Exit 197 (Waverly) will direct motorists to utilize both lanes to the merge point in order to reduce the length of the queue. Also, State Police will increase their presence, positioning themselves at both ends of the traffic queue to facilitate the merge and to protect the end of the backlog from motorists who come upon it quickly.

In the upcoming weeks in that same work zone , District 4 will implement a pilot program using queue detectors to trigger message boards to relay travel times through construction. Sensors read the vehicle speeds; when they fall below an identified threshold, a server sends a predetermined message to a designated electronic sign board along the highway to alert motorists. It also alerts traffic technicians who can view the situation via remote cameras. A companion website will enable motorists to view cameras and get information as to travel conditions along that roadway. Installation and testing are set for the week of June 9th with implementation shortly thereafter.

Interstate 81: Where the work is:

    • Exit 230, Great Bend-Susquehanna (Hallstead): Single lane for bridge work through the third week in June.

    • Exits 206 to 211 NB & SB between Glenwood/Lenoxville & Lenox. Periodic single lane closures for construction.

    • Exits 204-230 Periodic lane restrictions for paving. SB: between NY Border and Glenwood/Lenoxville; NB: Exits 184-202 between River St. and Fleetvile/Tompkinsville.

    • UPDATE: Exits 191A to 194 NB; Exits 197-191A SB between Dickson City and Waverly. Continuous single lane closures for construction. CURRENT WORK COULD BE DONE BY THE FOURTH OF JULY, weather permitting. A subsequent work zone starts Northbound & Southbound after July 4 between Exits 194 (Clarks Summit) and 197 (Waverly).

    • NEW: Exit 190 (Dickson City/Main Ave. – Viewmont Mall exit) Northbound & Southbound re-decking of the bridge over Business Route 6. Completion November 2009. Night shoulder widening work through Thursday (6/12) with single lane traffic prior to start of bridge work. Expect two lanes with merging traffic and stop signs starting the end of June/beginning of July.

    • Exits 180 to 170B SB between Moosic and Wilkes-Barre. Lane closure for construction.

    • Exits 178 to 180 NB between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport and Moosic. Lane closures with temporary crossovers for construction.

    • Exits 164 to 143 SB between Nanticoke and Hazleton. Periodic lane closures for construction. Begins in August.

Alternate routes for I-81:

    • Check a map. GPS systems may not consider long-range detours.

    • Consider these routes:

    • U.S. 11 parallels I-81 in Northeastern Pa. Southbound traffic should take Route 11 before New Milford or risk getting caught up in backlogs.

    • Pa. Turnpike provides a bypass around Scranton.

    • U.S. 220 or U.S. 15 provides access to Harrisburg and points south from Central New York.

Interstate 84: Where the work is:

    • Exits 20 to 53 EB between Greentown/Lake Wallenpaupack and Matamoras. Continuous lane closures, occasional night work.

Alternate routes for I-84:

    • Check a map. GPS systems may not consider long-range detours.

    • Consider these routes:

    • NEW York 17.

    • U.S. 6 is very scenic and generally has light traffic, except in Honesdale.

Interstate 380: Where the work is:

    • Exits 13 to 24 NB & SB between Gouldsboro and Scranton/Milford. Continuous lane closures. Monday thru Friday, 7 am – 4  pm.

Alternate routes for I-380:

Traffic volumes on I-380 do not generally have significant delays except during the morning and afternoon “rush” at Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Be prepared before you hit the road!

PennDOT has enhanced its operations and customer communications recently and asks motorists to do their part to prepare for the summer driving season.

Motorists should keep their car in good repair; check tires, fluids and gauges and pack an emergency travel kit for their vehicle.

The emergency travel kit should contain very basic supplies tailored to any special individual or family needs. Some of the items to include are state maps (your home state plus the state you are traveling in); first aid supplies; medications; non-perishable food or snacks; water; extra clothes; a battery-operated radio and cell phone.

Everyone likes to travel when it’s convenient. That’s why roads can be congested at certain times of the day. Consider traveling in off-peak hours, such as early morning or late evening.

Provide extra time to travel in case of car trouble or unexpected delays. Be sure to plan an alternate route.

Tips for traveling through a work zone

    • STAY ALERT! Dedicate your full attention to the roadway.

    • Pay close attention to signs and work zone flag persons.

    • Turn on headlights so that workers and other motorists see you.

    • Do not tailgate.

    • Do not speed. Note the posted speed limit in and around work zones.

    • Never stop to ask directions from those working in the construction zone.

    • Do not change lanes while traveling through a work zone.

    • If you need to use a cell phone, wait until you are through the work zone and then find a safe place to pull over.

    • EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! Keep an eye out for workers and their equipment.

    • Be patient. Construction work zone workers have a job to do and that is to improve highways you travel on.

Since 1971, 76 PENNDOT workers state-wide have been needlessly killed in the line of duty. The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code mandates that fines be doubled for violations committed in road construction work zones. Those violations include tailgating, speeding and reckless driving.

The “Late Merge” Concept

With work zone lane restrictions, it is possible that motorists will be encouraged to use both travel lanes up to the merge point. Known as the “late merge,” this concept reduces time spent in a traffic jam.

In maintaining two lanes up to the merge point, there is less driver frustration, and therefore less road rage caused by other motorists who bypass the queue and “butt in line.” The “late merge” helps to promote “safer, swifter, and smoother” operation of our highways.

Information resources

PennDOT District 4 offers a free e-mail and text message service that alerts motorists of roadwork, crashes and delays. Visit www.neparoads.com and follow the link More News and Media to select the interstate or county in District 4 of interest. You may also e-mail kdussinger@state.pa.us with your request.

A weekly roadwork report of construction and maintenance projects is posted to the website under the News Releases link and can also be emerald to customers. County construction maps are also posted under the Roadwork link. View the comprehensive state-wide construction map at http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/constructionAdvisory/.

Travel information for all interstates across Pennsylvania is also found under the Interstate Advisories link. Information on local road and bridge restrictions appears under the Non-Interstate Advisories link. Also, the Travel Information link connects to interstate cameras, road conditions, weather reports and more to help motorists make informed travel decisions before leaving home.

Electronic message boards along the interstates and Highway Advisory Radio help alert motorists as to restrictions ahead of them, enabling them to make travel decisions in a timely manner and avoid congested or troublesome areas.

Need more help?

This information and more resources are available online at www.neparoads.com. Travelers may also contact the PennDOT District 4-0 engineering office in Dunmore, Pa at (570) 963-4044 or e-mail kdussinger@state.pa.us for assistance.

For road conditions and traveler information, visit WWW.NEPAROADS.COM.

To report a pothole, call 1-800-FIX ROAD.