Getting Around Guide: 7/30/06

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

SPECIAL NOTES

Steelers advisory -- If you're heading to Saint Vincent College for Steelers practice, Route 30 east of Greensburg is the recommended route. No construction, but expect delays at the college entrance and at traffic lights. Route 22 is an alternative, but single-lane construction zones exist east of Murrysville and starting again at Route 981 in New Alexandria.

Rumble strips, "tar and chips" -- PennDOT is installing center-line "rumble strips" on such routes as 50, 88, 910 and 885 in Allegheny County through mid-August to deter crossover accidents. PennDOT also is seal-coating some roads in eastern Allegheny County as a preventive maintenance action to extend road life. Included is Tri-Borough Expressway from Ohio Avenue to McKeesport Boulevard.

INTERSTATES

I-70, Washington County -- Lane restrictions, resurfacing east of the West Virginia line.

I-79, Allegheny County -- Southbound side closed, traffic maintained on northbound side over six-mile stretch west of Pittsburgh, including Parkway West interchange. Related ramp closings over length of project on some nights, including ramp from Parkway West outbound to I-79 south, 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

Lane and shoulder closings between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily and single-lane restrictions at times on mainline for repairs on I-79 bridges over Ohio River.

Two key ramps closed at the Route 65 interchange: From I-79 north to Route 65, and from Route 65 to I-79 south. Detours posted.

I-79, Washington County -- Overnight single-lane restrictions between Laboratory and Lone Pine exits 7 p.m.-7 a.m. weekdays.

I-80, Jefferson County -- Lane restrictions for crack and joint repairs between Exits 15 and 16. Working overnight through Labor Day.

I-376, Parkway East -- Weekend work between Downtown and Oakland during off-peak hours. No work next weekend, but overnight restrictions will resume Aug. 7 as PennDOT tries to wrap up the $5.1 million resurfacing project.

STATE HIGHWAYS

Route 19, Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair -- A $3.7 million improvement under way on 2.1 miles between McLaughlin Run and Connor-Gilkeson roads. Overnight lane restrictions. Work to be done in late fall.

Route 8, Butler -- Replacing overpass at Route 422. Detour posted.

Route 8, Etna-Shaler -- Traffic using new northbound lanes through area known as "Mae West Bend," one lane in each direction.

Route 8, Hampton -- One-lane traffic each way through December for $1.5 million replacement of the concrete box-beam bridge carrying Route 8 over Pine Creek, except 9 a.m.-9 p.m. tomorrow when the span will be closed and detours will be posted.

Route 22, Indiana County -- Construction on Penn View Mountain. Lane restrictions, changing traffic patterns.

Route 22, Westmoreland County -- Cozy Inn Bridge to Route 66, Delmont, one lane each way for reconstruction.

Also, traffic is to be switched to the westbound side starting tomorrow and will be a single lane in each direction during widening, reconstruction of four miles east of Route 981 in New Alexandria.

Route 28, Allegheny County -- Shoulder, one lane closed southbound weekdays through July between Exits 10 and 11 in Harmar while workers remove rocks along the road.

Route 28, Armstrong County -- PennDOT repairing concrete roadway, bridges over 2.9 miles in South Buffalo. Labor Day finish.

Route 30, Westmoreland County -- Westbound closed, traffic maintained on eastbound lanes between Claypike and Barnes roads, North Huntingdon.

Route 31, Westmoreland County -- Eastbound climbing lane in Mount Pleasant Township closed, part of widening from three lanes to four lanes.

Route 48, Monroeville -- Mosside Boulevard Bridge being replaced with four-lane structure at North Versailles/Wall line.

Route 51, Elizabeth-Forward -- One-lane each way for repairs, paving between Roberts Hollow Road and Allegheny-Westmoreland county line.

Route 51, Rostraver -- One-lane restrictions from I-70 north to the Allegheny County line through November.

Route 60, Aliquippa -- One-lane restrictions through fall while PennDOT paves 6.2 miles between Center and South Heights interchanges.

Route 65, Leetsdale -- Traffic reduced to one lane for new Leetsdale Overpass between Ferry and Cross streets.

Route 65, Glenfield -- Lane closures 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays through mid-October under the I-79 bridge that's being repaired.

Route 88, Finleyville -- Delays in the heart of town while the intersection is lowered and rebuilt at Finley-Elrama Road.

Route 119, Hempfield -- Widening, resurfacing, new signalization south of Greensburg.

Route 119, Youngwood -- Single-lane closures through town for $1.9 million pavement patching, resurfacing project.

OTHER ROADS

Babcock Boulevard, McCandless -- Single alternating lane of traffic 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays while 2.7 miles are repaved between Route 910 and Pierce Mill Road.

Bethel Church Road, Bethel Park -- Intermittent single-lane closures near the Upper St. Clair line for paving. October finish.

California Avenue, Pittsburgh -- Changing traffic patterns during replacement of 35-year-old bridge over Route 65.

Forsythe Road, Carnegie-Scott -- Traffic reduced to single, alternating lane, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays through mid-August for paving between Woodruff Drive and Greentree Road.

Grant Avenue, Etna -- Bridge carrying Grant over Pine Creek closed through November while a two-lane, two-way bridge is built, part of Route 8 Mae West Bend project.

Greentree Road, Scott -- Northbound reduced to a single lane through August between Forsythe Road and Chatham Park Drive to build roadside bus stop.

Hulton Road, Penn Hills -- Work resumes tomorrow to pave 1.4 miles between Indiana and Unity roads. Single, alternating lane of traffic controlled by flaggers weekdays except 6-8 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. for rush hours.

Main Street Project, Butler -- New traffic signal at the intersection of Pittsburgh Road and Burgh Avenue, placed on "flash mode" for testing last week, is scheduled to go into full operation on Tuesday.

Perrymont Road, McCandless -- Single, alternating lane, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays through August for resurfacing between McKnight Road and Perry Highway.

Saxonburg Boulevard, West Deer -- Single, alternating lane, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Paving 2.6 miles between Bairdford and Bakerstown/Culmerville roads.

Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon -- Resurfacing, other improvements covering .7 miles between Central Square and McFarland Road. Lane restrictions, changing traffic patterns.

MAJOR BRIDGES

31st Street Bridge, Pittsburgh -- Closed for rehabilitation. Use 40th Street Bridge or 16th Street Bridge.

Anderson Bridge, Schenley Park -- One-lane restrictions while city repairs Boulevard of Allies sidewalks to and from the park.

Homestead Grays Bridge -- Upstream lanes closed. Fifth Avenue ramp open for right turn only.

PORT AUTHORITY

East Busway -- Expect delays for the next four months, starting tomorrow, while surface repairs are made on the orginal 6.8 miles between Grant Street and Wilkinsburg. Work will be done in sections. Delays expected while traffic is maintained on a single lane, one way at a time.

RESOURCES

Port Authority

412-442-2000

www.ridegold.com

PennDOT complaints

1-800-FIX-ROAD

1-888-LITTERBUG

PennDOT Web sites

www.dot.state.pa.us

www.dot.state.pa.us/district11

www.dmv.state.pa.us

Pa. Turnpike