Category: News

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Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Underway

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) today announced that enforcement of the statewide Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program begins next week. Today marks the end of a 60-day pre-enforcement period that was required by Act 86 of 2018, which established the AWZSE program.

“Through the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program, we are urging motorists to slow down and pay attention while driving, especially through work zones where roadway conditions can change on a daily basis,” said acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “In 2018, 23 motorists were killed in a Pennsylvania work zone. Ultimately, this program is not about issuing violations, it’s about saving lives.”

Pennsylvania’s AWZSE program uses vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices. AWZSE systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present. Beginning today, registered owners will receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice and $75 fine for a second offense, and a violation notice and $150 fine for third and subsequent offenses. These violations are civil penalties only; no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses.

Work zones are selected to maximize the effectiveness of the systems and will be marked with signage in advance of the enforcement area. Additionally, locations are posted on the project website, WorkZoneCameras.PennDOT.gov.

“While there can be fines assessed, the AWZSE program’s goal is not to generate revenue,” explained PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “The goal is to build awareness and most importantly, to change unsafe driving behaviors. The program serves as a roadway reminder that safety is literally in each driver’s hands when they are behind the wheel.”

In 2018, there were 1,804 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 23 fatalities, and 43 percent of work zone crashes resulted in fatalities and/or injuries. Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 89 workers in the line of duty. The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1945.

For more information on the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program, including a list of projects where the units are deployed, visit WorkZoneCameras.PennDOT.gov.

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Traffic Shift Marks Completion of First Phase of Northbound U.S. 1 Improvements in Bensalem

Northbound U.S. 1 traffic will shift onto the newly reconstructed northbound lanes between Old Lincoln Highway and Rockhill Drive Monday night, February 3, marking the completion of the first major phase of a project to reconstruct, widen and improve a 1.3-mile section of the highway in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today.

Following the Monday night shift, crews will work the remainder of the week to adjust concrete construction barriers and begin reconstruction of the middle section on U.S. 1 — including demolition and replacement of the middle section of U.S. 1 bridges over Street Road (Route 132), the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the ramps to the Turnpike Toll Plaza — the second major phase of the project.

Periodic lane closures will be in place on Sunday, February 2, through Friday, February 7, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning for construction activities on:

  • Northbound and southbound U.S. 1 between Old Lincoln Highway and Rockhill Drive;
  • Eastbound or westbound Street Road (Route 132) between Old Lincoln Highway and Kingston Way; and
  • Bristol Road between Old Lincoln Highway and Belmont Avenue, where flaggers will direct an alternating lane of traffic through the work area for the early stages of construction to replace the bridge over U.S.1.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work areas because backups and slowdowns will occur. All scheduled activities are weather permitting.

Under construction that began in late 2018 under Section RC1, PennDOT has:

  • Removed and replaced the northbound pavement on U.S. 1 between Old Lincoln Highway and Rockhill Drive;
  • Replaced the northbound side of U.S. 1 bridges over Street Road (Route 132), the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Turnpike ramps;
  • Began reconstruction of the U.S. 1/Street Road (Route 132) interchange;
  • Began construction of new ramps to and from northbound U.S. 1 and the Turnpike Toll Plaza;
  • Installed new stormwater basins, pipes and inlets;
  • Relocated sanitary sewer and water lines on U.S. 1;
  • Reconstructed eastbound Street Road (Route 132) at the U.S. 1 Interchange; and
  • Started preliminary work to replace the Bristol Road bridge over U.S. 1.

RC1 is the first of three construction contracts to rebuild and widen U.S. 1; replace aging bridges; and install safety enhancements along a four-mile section of the expressway from just north of Philadelphia to just north of Route 413 (Pine Street) in Middletown Township and Langhorne Borough.  

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Temporary Business Signs FAQ

Where can I place a sign for my business in the U.S. 1 work area?

All signs, temporary or permanent, must be placed on private property, outside of PennDOT’s right-of-way.  All signs must have an approved permit from Bensalem Township and comply with township ordinances. Permit applications can be found at https://www.bensalempa.gov/applications.html and can be submitted by email to permitcenter@bensalempa.gov.

How do I know where PennDOT’s right-of-way line is located for this project?

The right-of-way line for the U.S. 1 work area may be marked with a line of stakes or painted on the surface beyond the edge of the existing roadway.  If you would like help determining the location of the right-of-way line, please Email us at info@us1bucks.com or use the contact form on this website and someone will contact you.

What is the Bensalem Township sign ordinance?

The Bensalem Township Sign Ordinance can be found at https://library.municode.com/pa/bensalem/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIGELE_CH232ZO_ARTXIVSI.

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PennDOT Awards $94 Million Contract to Improve U.S.1 in Bucks County

November 2018 – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has awarded a $93.9 million contract to Allan Myers, LP of Worcester, PA for the reconstruction and widening of a two-mile section of U.S. 1 (Lincoln Highway) from Old Lincoln Highway to just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange in Bensalem Township, Bucks County.

The project, U.S. 1 Section RC1, is the first of three construction contracts that comprise PennDOT’s U.S. 1 Improvement Project to widen U.S. 1 (Lincoln Highway), replace aging bridges, and complete a number of highway safety enhancements along a four-mile segment of U.S. 1 that extends from Old Lincoln Highway in Bensalem Township to just north of the PA 413 (Pine Street) overpass in Middletown Township and Langhorne Borough.

Early-stage construction on Section RC1 began in late October, 2018, with work expected to ramp up in early 2019. Section RC1 includes:

  • Widening and reconstruction of four bridges,
  • Placement of 13 sign structures,
  • Sanitary sewer and water service line relocations,
  • Improvements to the highway’s storm water management system,
  • Installation of new traffic signals, and
  • installation of Intelligent Transportation System components.

The RC1 project will also construct sustainable enhancements adjacent to and beneath U.S. 1 (Lincoln Highway), including rain gardens and infiltration basins, construction of a sound barrier wall along a portion of southbound U.S. 1, and other miscellaneous construction.

Major modifications also will be made to the ramps to and from PA 132/Street Road and to the ramps to and from the PA Turnpike Interchanges with Route 1. Roadway and drainage improvements are also being made along Street Road for about three quarters of a mile east and west of Route 1.

Section RC1 construction is scheduled be completed in late 2022.

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PennDOT to Host Open House Meeting for U.S. 1 Improvement Project in Bucks County

King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will hold an open house public plans display on Wednesday, November 7 at 6:00 PM at the Middletown Township Municipal Building at 3 Municipal Way in Langhorne to inform citizens about the upcoming project to reconstruct, widen and improve a 1.5-mile section of U.S. 1 (Lincoln Highway) from just south of the Rockhill Drive Interchange to just north of the Business U.S. 1 (Penndel) Interchange in Bensalem and Middletown townships, Bucks County.

The purpose of the open house is to present the public with progress plans and a status update on the project. The meeting will be conducted as an open-house plans display where citizens will have the opportunity to circulate among the subject displays to gather information and discuss the different facets of the project with PennDOT’s design team.

Under the U.S. 1 Section RC2 project, PennDOT will construct a third travel and auxiliary lane in each direction from just south of the Rockhill Drive intersection to just north of the Business U.S. 1 (Penndel) Interchange; replace three structures over U.S. 1; build a sound barrier and three retaining walls; perform various roadway and safety improvements to the Penndel and Neshaminy interchanges; upgrade the Rockhill Drive intersection to include new sidewalks; and install new sign structures, traffic signals and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) equipment across the project corridor.

Construction on this project is expected to start in late 2021 and will be funded with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state dollars.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.gov/District6.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 860 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Brad Rudolph, 610-205-6800