PA Turnpike News

[jmacswimmer]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

[wanderer2575]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?  Those things aren't exactly known for their hygienic properties.  And when you gotta, you gotta, so it's not going to increase "social distancing."

[jmacswimmer]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?  Those things aren't exactly known for their hygienic properties.  And when you gotta, you gotta, so it's not going to increase "social distancing."

Yeah, I'm kinda confused by that too.  I'm surprised they're even making the effort to provide porta-potties; I guess it still beats the cheap-out option to just shut the buildings entirely (while leaving the gas station open) and leave bathroom-goers SOL.

[Brandon]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

This is the most asinine, fucked up, ridiculous response to this crisis.  Are we not supposed to be washing our hands with soap and water!?!  Instead, the totally brain-dead PTC decides to replace clean washroom, with soap and water, with dirty, nasty, disgusting potable toilets that lack water and use that god-awful hand sanitizer shit instead.  That is, if they're even stocked with the had sanitizer in the first fucking place.

[Beltway]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.
https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

This is the most asinine, fucked up, ridiculous response to this crisis.  Are we not supposed to be washing our hands with soap and water!?!  Instead, the totally brain-dead PTC decides to replace clean washroom, with soap and water, with dirty, nasty, disgusting potable toilets that lack water and use that god-awful hand sanitizer shit instead.  That is, if they're even stocked with the had sanitizer in the first fucking place.

"The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is implementing operational changes in response to Governor Wolf's mitigation guidance regarding COVID-19."

So I wonder who exactly made the decision to close the service plazas, what person or committee made the decision.

[odditude]

it may have been cheaper/easier/risking less legal exposure to contract portapotties (with the included sanitization service) than to contract sanitization for the remainder of the rest areas.

[briantroutman]

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?

More to the point, the service plazas are closed. All of the fast food counters, the Starbucks, the traveler information counter, the lavatories–everything located along the main atrium of the service plazas–has been shut down, and the plaza doors are locked. All of the HMSHost employees who staff those areas, including those who normally clean and stock the lavatories, have been sent home, consistent with Governor Wolf's statewide directive that all nonessential businesses should be closed for at least the next two weeks.

For the sake of the reduced number motorists on the road who, assumably, are driving a long distance because they absolutely must, the fuel pumps remain on. A skeleton crew of a Sunoco employee or two remains on duty to accept cash payments for gasoline and can sell items from the convenience store, which is separated from the rest of the plaza, but everything else remains closed.

[RobbieL2415]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?  Those things aren't exactly known for their hygienic properties.  And when you gotta, you gotta, so it's not going to increase "social distancing."

I'll just go and take a shit behind the building, then.

[Beltway]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.
https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?  Those things aren't exactly known for their hygienic properties.  And when you gotta, you gotta, so it's not going to increase "social distancing."

I'll just go and take a shit behind the building, then.

Traveling?

Bring a bucket with you.

[jeffandnicole]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?  Those things aren't exactly known for their hygienic properties.  And when you gotta, you gotta, so it's not going to increase "social distancing."

I'll just go and take a shit behind the building, then.

Is that what you do when you travel on roads without service plazas?

Considering they're telling you to cut out all non-essential travel anyway, why would you be crying over this in the first place?

[Brandon]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?  Those things aren't exactly known for their hygienic properties.  And when you gotta, you gotta, so it's not going to increase "social distancing."

I'll just go and take a shit behind the building, then.

Is that what you do when you travel on roads without service plazas?

Considering they're telling you to cut out all non-essential travel anyway, why would you be crying over this in the first place?

Obviously someone forgot that we have truckers out there who need these facilities.

[seicer]

And a lot of motorists are still on the roads because life goes on and you can still do activities that you normally do - with just more distance. Even with the most restrictive shelter-in-place notices being put out there with COVID-19, you can still go out to parks and hike, camp, kayak, etc.; you can still go to the store; you can still go to work. We need essential services along the road to remain operational - including rest areas. No other agency is going as far as closing down restrooms that can be sanitized with ease (as they should be doing all along anyway) and replacing them with porta-potties that are even worse (although they can be sanitized with a spray).

[Beltway]

Is that what you do when you travel on roads without service plazas?
Considering they're telling you to cut out all non-essential travel anyway, why would you be crying over this in the first place?

Depends on what a person considers "non-essential travel," as while something may not be life-or-death, there are any number of things that would impose a major hardship on a person if they are not able to make the trip.

What does a trucker do who needs to use the restroom; many use rest areas as there aren't enough truck stops.

[VTGoose]

Obviously someone forgot that we have truckers out there who need these facilities.

An EMT friend posted on Facebook a notice from from East Tennessee Incident Notifications  (https://www.facebook.com/easttnincidents/) about dining problems.

We have been made aware of an issue at a few restaurants open to drive thru traffic only.

Many Truck Drivers, EMT/Paramedics, Firefighters and Rescue Squad members have been turned away by some establishments. This is due to them walking up to the drive thru window to order food.

These folks need to eat and CANNOT pull their vehicles through. We hope that this post reaches Owners and Managers of these establishments.

Please allow our working folks to eat! Supplies need delivered and 911 calls need answered.

Apparently word spread and there are now restaurants (at least in Tennessee) that are posting on that Facebook page that they are available to serve hot meals to these people who have to be on the road.

There needs to be a lot of looks at rules that in normal times make sense, but may need to be relaxed or removed during this pandemic. Common sense should play a big part in what people do and don't do.

Bruce in Blacksburg

[MASTERNC]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

This is the most asinine, fucked up, ridiculous response to this crisis.  Are we not supposed to be washing our hands with soap and water!?!  Instead, the totally brain-dead PTC decides to replace clean washroom, with soap and water, with dirty, nasty, disgusting potable toilets that lack water and use that god-awful hand sanitizer shit instead.  That is, if they're even stocked with the had sanitizer in the first fucking place.

One article I read said each service plaza had two handwashing stations.  Assume those are like I have seen that have soap and water.

[hbelkins]

From what I've read, the PTC has kept the service plaza parking areas open, while PennDOT has closed its rest areas to parking. What are truckers supposed to do when they reach their service hours limitations? Will Pennsylvania cops not write tickets when the truckers park on the shoulders or along entrance/exit ramps at interchanges? When they have to stop, they have to stop.

Kentucky is closing its KYTC offices to the public, but the rest areas are still open.

[cpzilliacus]

From what I've read, the PTC has kept the service plaza parking areas open, while PennDOT has closed its rest areas to parking. What are truckers supposed to do when they reach their service hours limitations? Will Pennsylvania cops not write tickets when the truckers park on the shoulders or along entrance/exit ramps at interchanges? When they have to stop, they have to stop.

IMO, this is a dumb, dumb idea by PennDOT (I have not heard that MDOT or VDOT are closing their rest areas on the Interstate (and in some cases arterial) systems.

[Revive 755]

^ I thought I heard something about the service hour restrictions for trucks being at least loosened, if not lifted for the time being?

[briantroutman]

From what I've read, the PTC has kept the service plaza parking areas open, while PennDOT has closed its rest areas to parking. What are truckers supposed to do when they reach their service hours limitations? Will Pennsylvania cops not write tickets when the truckers park on the shoulders or along entrance/exit ramps at interchanges? When they have to stop, they have to stop.

IMO, this is a dumb, dumb idea by PennDOT (I have not heard that MDOT or VDOT are closing their rest areas on the Interstate (and in some cases arterial) systems.

Today, PennDOT modified its plan regarding the temporary rest area closures and will be keeping about half of them open. Reports are that the locations have been selected based on rates of truck usage and the greatest need for parking spaces.

I wonder, though, what the usage rates of truck parking capacity are currently. Obviously, shipments of immediate necessities like food and medication still need to get to their destinations, but my understanding is that a number of nonessential shipments have ceased. Truck parking capacity at state-operated rest areas is to some degree an overflow outlet for overcrowded truck stops, but if a sizable percentage of truckload volume has been sidelined, that excess capacity may not really be needed.

[jeffandnicole]

The PTC is also starting to limit services at the service plazas - for now only the 3 closest to Philadelphia, but I wouldn't be surprised if they expand it to all service plazas.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316114826.htm

Okay, I'm stupid, but could someone please explain the point of closing the restrooms and instead making porta-potties available?  Those things aren't exactly known for their hygienic properties.  And when you gotta, you gotta, so it's not going to increase "social distancing."

I'll just go and take a shit behind the building, then.

Is that what you do when you travel on roads without service plazas?

Considering they're telling you to cut out all non-essential travel anyway, why would you be crying over this in the first place?

Obviously someone forgot that we have truckers out there who need these facilities.

I certainly didn't forget about then, or any motorist on our roadways.  But what do they do on any non-tolled interstate highway?  Do we know all 50 state are keeping their rest areas open too?  Yeah, sure, some have said they'll stay open.  But we've seen those permissions for many businesses quickly take a 180 turn the other way.

Also, it's been highly suggested to limit your travel, not use the time for impromptu road trips.  I know that's hard for some people, and even non-roadie people are going to go stir-crazy and want to get out of the house.

Realize that some cities and states are talking about total lock-down.  Finding a place to pee won't be a concern, because you'll be stuck in your house.

[seicer]

Even in areas with "lockdowns," it is being encouraged to spend time outdoors - away from people, of course. National parks and many state parks (that have fees) are now free.

Related to the rest areas, I was traveling up I-81 through PA and NY and noted that the highways and rest areas were nearly empty. That was a complete contrast to the weekend prior to when they were next to overflowing.

[MASTERNC]

Service plazas are re-opening on a limited basis

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200319140629.htm

[rickmastfan67]

Service plazas are re-opening on a limited basis

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200319140629.htm

Yeah, truckers must have started to run over the portajohns in protest.

[seicer]

Do motorists have the ability to use these rest areas and plazas? I am driving down into the South this weekend.

[rickmastfan67]

Do motorists have the ability to use these rest areas and plazas? I am driving down into the South this weekend.

Plazas on the Turnpike?  I'm sure.

Rest Areas on the other roads?  No, if I'm reading their post correctly (but who knows).  Only truckers can use them the way I'm reading it.

https://twitter.com/PennDOTNews/status/1240353050935648259