AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Northeast => Topic started by: Alex on August 18, 2009, 03:06:09 AM

Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on August 18, 2009, 03:06:09 AM
Green' red lights: Philly gets LED traffic lights

Associated Press - August 17, 2009

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia is turning all its traffic lights green.

This winter the city will begin fully converting its 55,000 traffic signals to LED bulbs. City officials say the change will save about $1 million a year once the bulbs are installed.

Officials say the city switched the red bulbs to LED lights 10 years ago when red was the only color available.

City officials say it will cost about $7 million to replace the green and yellow bulbs but they expect federal stimulus money and subsidies to help foot the bill.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mr_Northside on August 18, 2009, 09:57:32 AM
Pittsburgh has been doing this for quite some time now.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Michael on August 18, 2009, 12:46:03 PM
Quote from: AARoads on August 18, 2009, 03:06:09 AM
...City officials say the change will save about $1 million a year once the bulbs are installed....

That's quite a bill!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on September 15, 2009, 12:16:40 PM
Philly airport plans new lot for waiting motorists (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090915/NEWS/90915017/-1/updates/Philly-airport-plans-new-lot-for-waiting-motorists-)

QuoteCity officials say Philadelphia International Airport will open a 150-space cell-phone lot after a recent crackdown on motorists using the shoulder of Interstate 95 to wait for arriving flights.

Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler says the project could be completed by Jan. 1.

Drivers waiting to pick up passengers on arriving flights had long used the shoulders of I-95 and other nearby roads to wait for flights to land. But police began recently ticketing waiting motorists and no parking signs were erected.

Motorists were using the shoulders of Interstate 95, Pennsylvania 291, and the ridiculously long northbound off-ramp to the terminal for years now. I remember heading to the airport in 2005 and seeing a hundred or so cars queued on those shoulders. More recent trips to the airport in 2007 revealed motorists still queuing on the shoulders, despite police ticketing them.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: mightyace on September 15, 2009, 06:39:53 PM
Quote from: AARoads on September 15, 2009, 12:16:40 PM
Philly airport plans new lot for waiting motorists (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090915/NEWS/90915017/-1/updates/Philly-airport-plans-new-lot-for-waiting-motorists-)

QuoteCity officials say Philadelphia International Airport will open a 150-space cell-phone lot after a recent crackdown on motorists using the shoulder of Interstate 95 to wait for arriving flights.

Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler says the project could be completed by Jan. 1.

Drivers waiting to pick up passengers on arriving flights had long used the shoulders of I-95 and other nearby roads to wait for flights to land. But police began recently ticketing waiting motorists and no parking signs were erected.

Motorists were using the shoulders of Interstate 95, Pennsylvania 291, and the ridiculously long northbound off-ramp to the terminal for years now. I remember heading to the airport in 2005 and seeing a hundred or so cars queued on those shoulders. More recent trips to the airport in 2007 revealed motorists still queuing on the shoulders, despite police ticketing them.

It's about time they do this!

I've driven/ridden into the airport on several occasions in the last 5 years and I'm afraid we'll hit one of these yahoo's parked by the road!  :-o
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on February 12, 2010, 11:37:02 AM
Philly-to-N.J. Tacony-Palmyra Bridge to get upgrade (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100211/NEWS/100211029/-1/updates/Philly-to-N.J.-Tacony-Palmyra-Bridge-to-get-upgrade)

QuoteThe Burlington County Bridge Commission announced plans to replace the grid deck on the movable span of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge this year.

The $7 million project is the largest capital improvement the commission has undertaken in the past 15 years.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: froggie on June 22, 2010, 07:34:12 AM
On my way back from the SEPA meet, I passed through Chester and noticed a new, high elevation, set of ramps being built from US 322 (at the end of the Commodore Barry Bridge) down to PA 291...basically "completing" an interchange on US 322 in this area.  The two loop ramps in particular are eastbound US 322 to PA 291, and PA 291 to westbound US 322 (towards I-95).

Question is...is this a PennDOT project or a DRPA project?  I didn't see anything on either website about the project.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: akotchi on June 22, 2010, 11:31:26 AM
Quote from: froggie on June 22, 2010, 07:34:12 AM
On my way back from the SEPA meet, I passed through Chester and noticed a new, high elevation, set of ramps being built from US 322 (at the end of the Commodore Barry Bridge) down to PA 291...basically "completing" an interchange on US 322 in this area.  The two loop ramps in particular are eastbound US 322 to PA 291, and PA 291 to westbound US 322 (towards I-95).

Question is...is this a PennDOT project or a DRPA project?  I didn't see anything on either website about the project.

Appears to be a PennDOT project.  Google search led to this item.  See site link.
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Penndot/Districts/District6/D6Media.nsf/cd20de0d8cd84b3785256d66005b622b/c8f7ff75ab7fb1ba85257479006ed8b9?OpenDocument
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on November 05, 2010, 10:02:57 AM
Major Philly bridge to reopen after $68M repair (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101104018/-1/updates/Major-Philly-bridge-to-reopen-after--68M-repair-)

QuotePHILADELPHIA – A once-crumbling bridge connecting downtown Philadelphia with the city's University City neighborhood is set to reopen after a two-year, $68 million repair.

The South Street Bridge was closed in December 2008 after years of decay.

Crumbling concrete from the bridge had been falling into the Schuylkill River for years, so the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation decided to tear it down and build a new one.

Since then, motorists have had to use other routes to get from downtown to West Philadelphia - home of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

Mayor Michael Nutter says the project has been completed a month early and on budget and the bridge will reopen Saturday.

Federal funds accounted for about 80 percent of the cost, with 15 percent coming from the state and 5 percent from the city.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on July 20, 2011, 09:33:50 PM
Found this snippet in a August 25, 1985 article: "ALL SIGNS POINT TO MORE AND BETTER HIGHWAY SIGNS" by the Philadelphia Inquirer:

QuoteThere's also serious talk about getting rid of the geese signs to the Delaware River Bridges. One proposal would replace them with drawings of a key, kite and lightning bolt on signs for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, a quill and book for the Walt Whitman, a part of the flag for the Betsy Ross and an arch bridge for the Tacony-Palmyra. The signs, of course, also would carry the names of the bridges, but the drawings would make them a lot easier to follow than the geese.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on November 19, 2013, 12:21:00 PM
Kelly Drive, in Philly; new signs are up warning speeders that a signal ahead will change. Will be interesting to see if there is any positive effect, or as some of the comments indicate; cars already speeding will speed-up to try to beat the cycle.

Quote
In an attempt to slow everybody down, the city has installed sensors in the roadway that determine the speed of vehicles approaching Fountain Green, about a half-mile north of the Girard Avenue Bridge.

Full article: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20131119_New_sensors_will_trigger_red_light_if_you_speed_on_Kelly_Drive.html

Could also see a new choke point for the road...

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Brandon on November 19, 2013, 12:39:52 PM
^^ That's asinine.  A better solution would be to set the signals to a specific speed go one can go through all of them on green at that speed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on November 19, 2013, 02:19:25 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 19, 2013, 12:39:52 PM
^^ That's asinine.  A better solution would be to set the signals to a specific speed go one can go through all of them on green at that speed.

There are other streets (more in the grid) that are set that way. I seem to remember reading that one or more parts of California tried something like this too, but ultimately gave up. It said in the article that this concept is used overseas, I wonder if any US-based research was performed...
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 29, 2014, 09:07:54 AM
From this week's edition of  Town Talk (http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2014/10/24/ridley_town_talk/news/doc544aa513b3b87084550878.txt).

QuoteThe Ridley Township Commissioners got some good news at their Oct. 22 meeting  when it was announced  that after more than 20 years of prodding PennDOT for action,  the troublesome east bound off-ramp from the Blue Route to East MacDade Boulevard will soon be a thing of the past..

State Rep. Joseph Hackett (R 161 District) reported to the commissioners that PennDOT has approved the reconfigurement of the east-west bound off ramps to MacDade Boulevard from I-476 that will eliminate the short merge ramp to East MacDade Boulevard, dubbed the "death ramp" by township police because of the numerous accidents that have occurred  at the ramp.

QuoteThe plans call for both east and west bound MacDade Boulevard traffic to continue on the off-ramp for west bound traffic. The west bound lane will curve to the right to MacDade, just as it does now, while the east bound traffic will continue on a ramp to a traffic light on MacDade for a left turn.

The blinking traffic light on MacDade Boulevard now for traffic entering the Blue Route northbound will be converted to an active traffic signal controlling cars entering the Blue Route and exiting the Blue Route east bound on MacDade.

I guess extending the merge along eastbound MacDade Blvd. wasn't considered.  IMHO, that would've been a better and possibly cheaper solution.

The downside I see with this reconfiguration will be that there will be more traffic stopped at red lights than there are today.  Anybody who's used I-476 north from I-95 knows that the mainline I-476 backs up onto I-95.  The exit to MacDade Blvd.'s often used as an escape ramp from the gridlock.  The intent of the original ramp configuration was for exiting traffic from I-476 North would not have to stop prior to getting on MacDade.

This new set-up, slated to be done by 2016-17 2017-18, could mean that the current MacDade off-ramp will be backed up... unless the plans call for widening the cloverleaf portion to 2-lanes (one for each direction).  Such wasn't mentioned in the article and unfortunately, no graphic/sketch of what the alterations would look like are included. 

Granted, those from the area or use this interchange have a pretty good idea of what the changes will entail.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: froggie on October 29, 2014, 09:57:59 AM
Difficulty with extending the merge along eastbound MacDade is the wooded slope immediately adjacent to the sidewalk.

Difficulty with widening the loop ramp is that part of it has a bridge over Crum Creek.

No good or easy solution here.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 10:02:30 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 29, 2014, 09:07:54 AM
From this week's edition of  Town Talk (http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2014/10/24/ridley_town_talk/news/doc544aa513b3b87084550878.txt).

QuoteThe Ridley Township Commissioners got some good news at their Oct. 22 meeting  when it was announced  that after more than 20 years of prodding PennDOT for action,  the troublesome east bound off-ramp from the Blue Route to East MacDade Boulevard will soon be a thing of the past..

State Rep. Joseph Hackett (R 161 District) reported to the commissioners that PennDOT has approved the reconfigurement of the east-west bound off ramps to MacDade Boulevard from I-476 that will eliminate the short merge ramp to East MacDade Boulevard, dubbed the "death ramp" by township police because of the numerous accidents that have occurred  at the ramp.

QuoteThe plans call for both east and west bound MacDade Boulevard traffic to continue on the off-ramp for west bound traffic. The west bound lane will curve to the right to MacDade, just as it does now, while the east bound traffic will continue on a ramp to a traffic light on MacDade for a left turn.

The blinking traffic light on MacDade Boulevard now for traffic entering the Blue Route northbound will be converted to an active traffic signal controlling cars entering the Blue Route and exiting the Blue Route east bound on MacDade.

I guess extending the merge along eastbound MacDade Blvd. wasn't considered.  IMHO, that would've been a better and possibly cheaper solution.

Just because this isn't the preferred design doesn't mean it wasn't considered.  Most projects have long planning phases where many designs are drawn up and reviewed.  In this case, an aerial view of the area reveals that wideneing MacDade for an additional lane would involve relocating a sidewalk and removing a relatively thin row of trees.  It's possible there's environmental issues in the area, or the retaining slope of ground would have to be removed and replaced with a costly wall structure.  And shortly after the ramp area is a driveway into the parking lot of some commercial buildings, which would need to be evaluated and possibly redesigned as well.

QuoteThis new set-up, slated to be done by 2016-17, could mean that the current MacDade off-ramp will be backed up... unless the plans call for widening the cloverleaf portion to 2-lanes (one for each direction).  Such wasn't mentioned in the article and unfortunately, no graphic/sketch of what the alterations would look like are included.

A press release from PennDOT does mention widening of the ramp.  Even though it was written earlier this month, the proposed start of construction isn't until 2017 per the release. http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Penndot/Districts/District6/D6Media.nsf/cd20de0d8cd84b3785256d66005b622b/7c4990c72e3f7f9585257d66005aee3b?OpenDocument
[/quote]
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 29, 2014, 12:59:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 10:02:30 AMJust because this isn't the preferred design doesn't mean it wasn't considered.  Most projects have long planning phases where many designs are drawn up and reviewed.  In this case, an aerial view of the area reveals that wideneing MacDade for an additional lane would involve relocating a sidewalk and removing a relatively thin row of trees.  It's possible there's environmental issues in the area, or the retaining slope of ground would have to be removed and replaced with a costly wall structure.  And shortly after the ramp area is a driveway into the parking lot of some commercial buildings, which would need to be evaluated and possibly redesigned as well.
No kidding, I'm well aware of such; nonetheless, given the fact that this interchange was built in the mid-1980s (when environmental & stormwater management regs weren't as draconian as they are now), one still has to wonder why a longer merge ramp wasn't considered/built in the first place when the entire interchange was built?  It wasn't like this interchange was built in the merge-or-die ramp era of the mid-1950s.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 10:02:30 AMA press release from PennDOT does mention widening of the ramp.  Even though it was written earlier this month, the proposed start of construction isn't until 2017 per the release. http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Penndot/Districts/District6/D6Media.nsf/cd20de0d8cd84b3785256d66005b622b/7c4990c72e3f7f9585257d66005aee3b?OpenDocument
Good to know, though I still think that the new configuarion is going to cause more traffic back-ups on the Exit 1 approach ramps as well as the Exit 7 ramps off I-95.

IMHO, this is a classic case of a PennDOT f*#@-up.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 03:07:19 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 29, 2014, 12:59:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 10:02:30 AMJust because this isn't the preferred design doesn't mean it wasn't considered.  Most projects have long planning phases where many designs are drawn up and reviewed.  In this case, an aerial view of the area reveals that wideneing MacDade for an additional lane would involve relocating a sidewalk and removing a relatively thin row of trees.  It's possible there's environmental issues in the area, or the retaining slope of ground would have to be removed and replaced with a costly wall structure.  And shortly after the ramp area is a driveway into the parking lot of some commercial buildings, which would need to be evaluated and possibly redesigned as well.
No kidding, I'm well aware of such; nonetheless, given the fact that this interchange was built in the mid-1980s (when environmental & stormwater management regs weren't as draconian as they are now), one still has to wonder why a longer merge ramp wasn't considered/built in the first place when the entire interchange was built?

Well, again, I think "considered" is still too strong.  You would have to review all the plans to see if they did consider it.  They generally don't tell the public all of the proposals.  I know with the 295/76/42 project, there were 26 alternatives that were considered and that were made public.  They were narrowed down to 5.  And then they finally picked one.  And when you look closely, the alternative they selected isn't even the same design that was in the original 26.

As far as why they didn't build the accel lane, that's another story.  When merging onto a highway, there certainly should be an accel lane.  But merging onto a local roadway is entirely different.  Best I can tell is the speed limit is 35 mph here, and that could be a reason why an accel lane isn't warranted or to be constructed.  It may have been higher in the past when the interchange was first built, but even if it was 45 mph, design standards probably would be OK without an accel lane at that speed also.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 29, 2014, 03:33:34 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 03:07:19 PMAs far as why they didn't build the accel lane, that's another story.  When merging onto a highway, there certainly should be an accel lane.  But merging onto a local roadway is entirely different.  Best I can tell is the speed limit is 35 mph here, and that could be a reason why an accel lane isn't warranted or to be constructed.  It may have been higher in the past when the interchange was first built, but even if it was 45 mph, design standards probably would be OK without an accel lane at that speed also.
Design speed's only part of the equation; traffic loads are another.  While not a highway, MacDade Blvd. is indeed one of the main east-west thoroughfares in Delaware County and does generate sizable traffic. 

Also, the ramps to/from MacDade Blvd. from Exit 7 (off I-95) were opened years before I-476 opened; so the those northbound exit ramps got plenty of usage since 1987.  The original BGS' for Exit 7, though large enough to hold the current 476 NORTH Plymouth Meeting message, had a MacDade Blvd. sheet posted on the signboards prior to Dec. 1991.

The mere fact that the ramp from I-476 North to MacDade Blvd. East is referred to as the death ramp, according to the article, tells me that a longer merge lane was clearly needed regardless of the posted speed limit. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 09:50:46 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 29, 2014, 03:33:34 PM
The mere fact that the ramp from I-476 North to MacDade Blvd. East is referred to as the death ramp, according to the article, tells me that a longer merge lane was clearly needed regardless of the posted speed limit. 

I caught that...but then the article said it's due to the number of accidents.  I never saw anything about, you know, 'deaths'.

Which brings about the next question - are people flying thru the Yield sign and hitting people on MacDade, or is someone stopping on the ramp and the person behind them isn't.

And since 476 SB to MacDade WB has the same ramp configuration (no accel lane), is the same thing happening there?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 30, 2014, 10:51:02 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 09:50:46 PMWhich brings about the next question - are people flying thru the Yield sign and hitting people on MacDade, or is someone stopping on the ramp and the person behind them isn't.
Personal speculation is probably the latter; though IMHO the motorist up front may not be stopped, per say, but rather moving very slowly. 

I say that because I've observed similar behavior at the onramp to eastbound Baltimore Pike (one exit up) from I-476 North; vehicles will just not accelerate to the traffic speed.  Fortuntely, the merge lane along Baltimore Pike is a longer due to the close proximity of the Crum Creek overpass (that carries the merge lane to the end of the structure); which is why there haven't been many related-accidents reported (enough to make headlines anyway) that I'm aware of.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2014, 09:50:46 PMAnd since 476 SB to MacDade WB has the same ramp configuration (no accel lane), is the same thing happening there?
The big difference there is the close proximity of the Bullens Lane intersection & traffic signal.  The likelihood of through-traffic being stopped or slowing down there (due to the signals & intersection) is greater than that for the fore-mentioned eastbound ramp.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on November 26, 2014, 09:06:13 PM
I thought about putting this on Mass Transit, but since this has to do in part with a bridge, I thought it belonged in this thread (I didn't really want to start a thread on this and I don't know if the following was already mentioned)...

Per http://www.septa.org/maps/bus/pdf/113.pdf and http://www.septa.org/realtime/status/system-status.shtml?sched_route_id=bus_route_113&alert_type=advisory , SEPTA's Route 113 bus is being detoured away from the Widener U. neighborhood due to a weight restriction on a bridge over I-95.  The alert doesn't say on which street, but I imagine Melrose Avenue is the bridge that's restricted "until further notice".  Is that right?

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on February 16, 2015, 08:11:21 PM
any state-named interstate shields around the Philly area?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on February 16, 2015, 11:43:18 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 16, 2015, 08:11:21 PM
any state-named interstate shields around the Philly area?
Depends on your definition of area, but there are definitely multiple I-95 shields - at least one on I-95 NB in Philly proper and two others NB near the city (headings of my PA I-95 (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/pa/i-95) pages).
I-76 (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/pa/i-76/s.html): WB into King of Prussia and in that mall, and one on a BGS (among others).
I-676 (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/pa/i-676): One I know of, on that page - and you'll see an I-95.
Keep prowling around my Philly-area pages (US 1, 13, 30; old US 422; PA 3, 611) and see what turns up!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 17, 2015, 08:53:03 AM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 16, 2015, 08:11:21 PM
any state-named interstate shields around the Philly area?
One set of recently-erected state-named I-shields (not yet on Steve's site) (http://goo.gl/maps/8PNCR).

Another set on an older gantry closer to I-76 (http://goo.gl/maps/chOYi)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on February 17, 2015, 01:06:32 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 16, 2015, 08:11:21 PM
any state-named interstate shields around the Philly area?

Blue Route SB just south of the US 30 interchange there is a nice but somewhat faded 476 one. It's quite large too:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.030832,-75.363001,3a,22.1y,233.1h,85.82t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sFLHIW50Y5POJRKb71l7OiQ!2e0
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 17, 2015, 04:34:52 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on February 17, 2015, 01:06:32 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 16, 2015, 08:11:21 PM
any state-named interstate shields around the Philly area?

Blue Route SB just south of the US 30 interchange there is a nice but somewhat faded 476 one. It's quite large too:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.030832,-75.363001,3a,22.1y,233.1h,85.82t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sFLHIW50Y5POJRKb71l7OiQ!2e0
That one dates back to when the route originally opened in late 1991.  There might be one or two other original state-named I-476 shields along the highway still around.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on February 17, 2015, 07:45:59 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 16, 2015, 11:43:18 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 16, 2015, 08:11:21 PM
any state-named interstate shields around the Philly area?
Depends on your definition of area, but there are definitely multiple I-95 shields - at least one on I-95 NB in Philly proper and two others NB near the city (headings of my PA I-95 (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/pa/i-95) pages).
I-76 (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/pa/i-76/s.html): WB into King of Prussia and in that mall, and one on a BGS (among others).
I-676 (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/pa/i-676): One I know of, on that page - and you'll see an I-95.
Keep prowling around my Philly-area pages (US 1, 13, 30; old US 422; PA 3, 611) and see what turns up!

Are the mall ones still up? Awesome find
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on March 27, 2015, 10:52:03 PM
Has there been any talk about upcoming or current signing projects to replace the non-reflective button copy on US-1 in Philly?

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7644/16940979571_ceb61c5724_c.jpg)[/url]

It seems PA is replacing it in record speed all of a sudden.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on March 28, 2015, 04:26:46 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on March 27, 2015, 10:52:03 PM
Has there been any talk about upcoming or current signing projects to replace the non-reflective button copy on US-1 in Philly?

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7644/16940979571_ceb61c5724_c.jpg)[/url]

It seems PA is replacing it in record speed all of a sudden.

They've replaced a lot of the signs on the freeway portion north of Philly recently. I was surprised to see all of those shiny new signs a couple weeks ago.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on March 28, 2015, 05:04:35 PM
Re that U.S. 1 overhead sign, interesting that button copy "g's" taper slightly towards the tail, but non-bc lower case g's don't.  To me that's one of the beauties of button copy.  :D

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on March 28, 2015, 05:35:53 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on March 28, 2015, 04:26:46 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on March 27, 2015, 10:52:03 PM
Has there been any talk about upcoming or current signing projects to replace the non-reflective button copy on US-1 in Philly?

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7644/16940979571_ceb61c5724_c.jpg)[/url]

It seems PA is replacing it in record speed all of a sudden.

They've replaced a lot of the signs on the freeway portion north of Philly recently. I was surprised to see all of those shiny new signs a couple weeks ago.

The part north of Bensalem? I tried looking at Penn Dot's site and it's hard to navigate.  I checked out the STIP and didn't say much of any signing projects but I could have missed them easily. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on March 29, 2015, 04:29:54 PM
Yup. There's a few really old button copy signs just north of Trevose but a lot of signs from 95 down to that point have been replaced.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: BrianP on April 07, 2015, 03:34:10 PM
4-Year Bridge Project to Close Parts of Philadelphia's Vine Street Expressway (http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Center-City-Vine-Street-Expressway-Bridge-Construction-298926001.html)

This project is replacing the overpasses on the original western section of the VSE. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on April 07, 2015, 03:35:50 PM
Quote from: BrianP on April 07, 2015, 03:34:10 PM
4-Year Bridge Project to Close Parts of Philadelphia's Vine Street Expressway (http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Center-City-Vine-Street-Expressway-Bridge-Construction-298926001.html)

This project is replacing the overpasses on the original western section of the VSE. 


I hate misleading headlines.

More specific: "Some overnight closures of the Vine Street Expressway possible."
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: BrianP on April 07, 2015, 03:39:31 PM
True.  It'll impact the surface streets more than the highway. 
QuoteThe Family Court, 19th Street, 18th Street and Free Library bridges will be closed and detoured throughout the project while the other bridges will be rebuilt while being used, said PennDOT.
And I bet that quote is misleading too.  I don't see how all of the bridges will be closed at the same time.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on April 07, 2015, 07:03:03 PM
Quote from: BrianP on April 07, 2015, 03:39:31 PM
True.  It'll impact the surface streets more than the highway. 
QuoteThe Family Court, 19th Street, 18th Street and Free Library bridges will be closed and detoured throughout the project while the other bridges will be rebuilt while being used, said PennDOT.
And I bet that quote is misleading too.  I don't see how all of the bridges will be closed at the same time.

Correct.  They won't be.  It's a 4 year project - they're working on one or two at a time
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on May 17, 2015, 10:26:20 PM
there is a patently absurd construction-orange APL up on I-95 SB approaching exit 22. it needs to be seen to be believed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on May 18, 2015, 10:40:58 AM
Quote from: odditude on May 17, 2015, 10:26:20 PM
there is a patently absurd construction-orange APL up on I-95 SB approaching exit 22. it needs to be seen to be believed.
I'll be likely on that stretch this Memorial Day evening; so I'll see it first hand.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on May 18, 2015, 01:00:02 PM
I saw that monstrosity Saturday night. Barely legible at night. They used some really thin weight of black colored Clearview that got washed out by the reflective sheeting at even close distances. Like odditude said, you have to see it to believe it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on July 23, 2015, 02:41:54 PM
Sad to report, some of the button copy signs on Roosevelt Blvd pertaining PA-63 have all been replaced with clearview and crappy arrows.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8701/17059441441_198773ba5f_b.jpg)

Also, some of the wooden BGs signs on PA-63's cross streets have been replaced as well.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/562/18467005101_a9dd4ac5af_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 23, 2015, 03:08:26 PM
Noooooooooooooooooooooo! One of the nice things about driving the Blvd was seeing all of those classic signs. I knew their days were numbered when they replaced all the signs on US 1 north of Trevose.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on July 23, 2015, 06:11:14 PM
Anybody know the back story of this?

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/476/19958099151_d0e80d5f6e_b.jpg)[/url]

There's a blank space there and when I snapped a pic, there were rivet holes in the sign that read "TO NORTH I-476," so does that indicate to get to I-476 NB was once signed along PA-320?  Was it signed that way and then taken off the sign?  Were the rivet holes in preparation for it to be signed but never was?

When was the interchange that's about 1/2 a mile from here with I-476 and US-1 opened?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 23, 2015, 07:10:51 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on July 23, 2015, 06:11:14 PM
Anybody know the back story of this?

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/476/19958099151_d0e80d5f6e_b.jpg)[/url]

There's a blank space there and when I snapped a pic, there were rivet holes in the sign that read "TO NORTH I-476," so does that indicate to get to I-476 NB was once signed along PA-320?  Was it signed that way and then taken off the sign?  Were the rivet holes in preparation for it to be signed but never was?

When was the interchange that's about 1/2 a mile from here with I-476 and US-1 opened?

That could have been for the Lansdowne Expressway that was never built. There may have been a planned interchange with 320 somewhere in Broomall.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on July 23, 2015, 07:43:23 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on July 23, 2015, 06:11:14 PM
Anybody know the back story of this?

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/476/19958099151_d0e80d5f6e_b.jpg)
Originally, there were plans for an I-476/PA 320 interchange near Cadinal O'Hara High School not too far north of US 1/PA 320 and the original interchange scheme for I-476/US 1 did not have a direct ramp from US 1 South to I-476 North like the current mezzanine-stack interchange.  The rationale back then (1970s) was that US 1 South traffic wanting to get on I-476 North can just get on PA 320 North for a short stretch.

When I-476 south of PA 3 was scaled down to a 4-lane expressway rather then the original 6-laner it should have been; several of the interchanges were completely redesigned and the PA 320 interchange was dropped from the plan.  Although I wasn't residing in the Delaware Valley at the time these decisions were made (I moved in the area 25 years ago); I can almost guess that Cardinal O'Hara High School wasn't too pleased about the prospect of having a highway interchange taking up some of its property.  They were probably glad and behind the reasoning for PennDOT to drop that interchange.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: route17fan on July 23, 2015, 08:55:12 PM
I too am saddened of the news that those old classic signs have been taken down.  :-(
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 02 Park Ave on August 06, 2015, 11:02:37 PM
The westbound I-76 will be closed within Philadelphia over the last weekend in September.  Eastbound it will be closed from the Blue Route to the Walt Whitman Bridge.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on August 07, 2015, 06:16:23 AM
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on August 06, 2015, 11:02:37 PM
The westbound I-76 will be closed within Philadelphia over the last weekend in September.  Eastbound it will be closed from the Blue Route to the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Traffic will be able to access the bridge from I-95, as well as Front Street and possibly Packer Ave. 

Westbound, traffic on the bridge will primarily be forced to I-95, which allows traffic to access Front Street as well.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on August 08, 2015, 12:17:05 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 07, 2015, 06:16:23 AM
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on August 06, 2015, 11:02:37 PM
The westbound I-76 will be closed within Philadelphia over the last weekend in September.  Eastbound it will be closed from the Blue Route to the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Traffic will be able to access the bridge from I-95, as well as Front Street and possibly Packer Ave. 

Westbound, traffic on the bridge will primarily be forced to I-95, which allows traffic to access Front Street as well.

There are a lot of unknowns. We know what will be closed, but we don't know what could be closed if traffic gets bad enough. I don't know if there will be a second round of announcements or if it will just be internally planned to respond to different situations in different ways.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 02 Park Ave on August 08, 2015, 08:24:00 AM
The Vine Street Expressway wil also be closed for the last weekend in September.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Pete from Boston on August 08, 2015, 08:49:50 AM
They're sending the pope to Philly... and then acting concerned about his safety.  It's like bringing a towel into the ocean to prevent getting wet!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on August 08, 2015, 05:08:38 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 08, 2015, 12:17:05 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 07, 2015, 06:16:23 AM
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on August 06, 2015, 11:02:37 PM
The westbound I-76 will be closed within Philadelphia over the last weekend in September.  Eastbound it will be closed from the Blue Route to the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Traffic will be able to access the bridge from I-95, as well as Front Street and possibly Packer Ave. 

Westbound, traffic on the bridge will primarily be forced to I-95, which allows traffic to access Front Street as well.

There are a lot of unknowns. We know what will be closed, but we don't know what could be closed if traffic gets bad enough. I don't know if there will be a second round of announcements or if it will just be internally planned to respond to different situations in different ways.

There's also a LOT of misinformation in the press, and much of it is due to reporters trying to read between the lines...sometimes with fantastical failures.  It was being reported that with the Ben Franklin bridge open only to pedestrians, everyone walking on the bridge was going to be inspected/searched/etc, and the wait could be hours. Except every agency that could possibly be involved said that they weren't doing any of that on the bridge. The press started to back off their statements, although numerous commenters are writing and noticing that the media is starting to get out-of-hand with their reporting. 

It sounds like the South Philly stadium complex is where buses will be dropping off and picking up visitors for the Pope's visit. It's about 3 miles from City Hall, with an easy subway ride to there. The Ben Franklin Parkway starts at City Hall, and stretches about a mile to the Philly Art Museum. There will be about 4 DOZEN jumbotrons throughout the area to watch the Pope's speech.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on August 27, 2015, 02:54:18 PM
PennDOT quietly reopened the Plymouth Road bridge just east of the ramps to/from the Blue Route and the Turnpike in Plymouth Twp today. The bridge was slowly crumbling away thanks to the creek running below it before PennDOT shut it down and they spent the almost a year replacing it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: BrianP on August 27, 2015, 03:32:40 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on August 27, 2015, 02:54:18 PM
PennDOT quietly reopened the Plymouth Road bridge just east of the ramps to/from the Blue Route and the Turnpike in Plymouth Twp today. The bridge was slowly crumbling away thanks to the creek running below it before PennDOT shut it down and they spent the almost a year replacing it.
Quietly??
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Montgomery-County-Sinkholes-Leslie-Richards-Plymouth-Road-Bridge-Plymouth-Township-Plymouth-Creek-323094671.html
QuoteState Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards attended Thursday's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Plymouth Road bridge in Plymouth Township.
It's on the front page of nbcphiladelphia.  They had a ribbon cutting.  That's not quietly. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on August 27, 2015, 03:49:50 PM
Quote from: BrianP on August 27, 2015, 03:32:40 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on August 27, 2015, 02:54:18 PM
PennDOT quietly reopened the Plymouth Road bridge just east of the ramps to/from the Blue Route and the Turnpike in Plymouth Twp today. The bridge was slowly crumbling away thanks to the creek running below it before PennDOT shut it down and they spent the almost a year replacing it.
Quietly??
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Montgomery-County-Sinkholes-Leslie-Richards-Plymouth-Road-Bridge-Plymouth-Township-Plymouth-Creek-323094671.html
QuoteState Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards attended Thursday's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Plymouth Road bridge in Plymouth Township.
It's on the front page of nbcphiladelphia.  They had a ribbon cutting.  That's not quietly.

I may have been on the website but there was no mention of it on air in any of the morning or midday TV news broadcasts.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: SteveG1988 on October 07, 2015, 09:21:52 AM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Construction_starting_on_Betsy_Ross_Bridge_Aramingo_Ave_ramp_project.html
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 07, 2015, 09:53:05 AM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on October 07, 2015, 09:21:52 AM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Construction_starting_on_Betsy_Ross_Bridge_Aramingo_Ave_ramp_project.html

This article was written nearly 7 months ago, on March 19, 2015.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: SteveG1988 on October 07, 2015, 10:36:55 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 07, 2015, 09:53:05 AM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on October 07, 2015, 09:21:52 AM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Construction_starting_on_Betsy_Ross_Bridge_Aramingo_Ave_ramp_project.html

This article was written nearly 7 months ago, on March 19, 2015.

Yes, but i didn't see it mentioned before.

I've been through it recently enough, they are making distinctive progress.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on October 13, 2015, 08:28:46 PM
On eastern U.S. 422 between PA 29 and the Oaks interchange, there is an unusually wide median for about a mile.  Was it once the site of a proposed freeway-to-freeway interchange?

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: BrianP on October 14, 2015, 10:15:04 AM
AFAIK That would have been for the PA 23 Schuylkill Parkway.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Route_23#Freeway_proposals
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on October 14, 2015, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: BrianP on October 14, 2015, 10:15:04 AM
AFAIK That would have been for the PA 23 Schuylkill Parkway.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Route_23#Freeway_proposals
The wide median was supposed to be for the "Phoenixville Spur", which would have veered off more due west and ended up at the JCT of PA 23 and PA 724.  It was listed on older Alfred B Patton maps, and there are (or at least were) old documents about the proposal in the Exton (PA) Library.

I don't think that was specifically for the Schuylkill Parkway, which I thought was PA 23 from Bridgeport (where there is a stub), ending near the US 422 Schuylkill River overpass.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 26, 2015, 08:05:26 PM
A brand-new APL BGS has been erected along I-95 Northbound in Chester at the I-476 interchange replacing the previous-separate BGS panels (I-95 North pull-through & I-476 North (Mac Dade Blvd. pre-Dec. 1991) exit).  The right-turn portion of the shared-lane arrow has a temporary green-out sheet placed over it.   Apparently, PennDOT will be converting the center-lane along I-95 northbound into a shared-lane at this interchange in the foreseable future.

What's noteworthy about this APL is that it's probably the first PennDOT BGS in years that does not use the Clearview font.  The BGS' just south of this interchange, that were erected just a few years ago all have the destination listings in Clearview.  Additionally, the spacing of the 476 digits (in Series C) on the I-476 shield on the APL are a bit off; the 4 and the 7 are positioned too close leaving a noticeable, wider gap between the 7 and the 6

A single-line Plymouth Mtg. is used for the I-476 North destination listing rather than the 2-line Plymouth Meeting listing that its predecessor and surrounding signage in this area had/has.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on October 26, 2015, 09:56:24 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 26, 2015, 08:05:26 PM
Additionally, the spacing of the 476 digits (in Series C) on the I-476 shield on the APL are a bit off; the 4 and the 7 are positioned too close leaving a noticeable, wider gap between the 7 and the 6.
not uncommon - does it look like there's no kerning whatsoever (i.e. the rightmost point of the top of the 7 is further left than the leftmost part of the 6)?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: froggie on October 27, 2015, 09:55:06 AM
Did they finally restripe it as a 2-lane exit from NB 95 to the Blue Route?  I remember it for MANY years as just a single-lane exit that widened to 2 lanes all of 300 feet down the ramp.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 27, 2015, 10:49:53 AM
Quote from: froggie on October 27, 2015, 09:55:06 AM
Did they finally restripe it as a 2-lane exit from NB 95 to the Blue Route?

Not yet.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on November 03, 2015, 07:19:44 AM
While searching for something else along the Schuylkill X-way, I stumbled across this...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9331513,-75.1997741,3a,21.4y,330.83h,100.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sp0UhNiPdbg7h66QOhh6zKQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

Can anyone remember what that metal plate on the University Avenue sign covers, and why it was covered?  Has it been replaced since 8/2014?

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 03, 2015, 10:19:53 AM
Quote from: ixnay on November 03, 2015, 07:19:44 AM
While searching for something else along the Schuylkill X-way, I stumbled across this...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9331513,-75.1997741,3a,21.4y,330.83h,100.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sp0UhNiPdbg7h66QOhh6zKQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

Can anyone remember what that metal plate on the University Avenue sign covers, and why it was covered?  Has it been replaced since 8/2014?

ixnay

It's still there. I think it covers up "Civic Center". I remember seeing that on BGSes in the early 90s.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 03, 2015, 12:39:07 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 03, 2015, 10:19:53 AM
Quote from: ixnay on November 03, 2015, 07:19:44 AM
While searching for something else along the Schuylkill X-way, I stumbled across this...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9331513,-75.1997741,3a,21.4y,330.83h,100.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sp0UhNiPdbg7h66QOhh6zKQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

Can anyone remember what that metal plate on the University Avenue sign covers, and why it was covered?  Has it been replaced since 8/2014?

ixnay

It's still there. I think it covers up "Civic Center". I remember seeing that on BGSes in the early 90s.
Correct.  This BGS was erected during the 1980s when the Civic Center was still around.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on November 03, 2015, 07:25:10 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 03, 2015, 12:39:07 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 03, 2015, 10:19:53 AM
Quote from: ixnay on November 03, 2015, 07:19:44 AM
While searching for something else along the Schuylkill X-way, I stumbled across this...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9331513,-75.1997741,3a,21.4y,330.83h,100.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sp0UhNiPdbg7h66QOhh6zKQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

Can anyone remember what that metal plate on the University Avenue sign covers, and why it was covered?  Has it been replaced since 8/2014?

ixnay

It's still there. I think it covers up "Civic Center". I remember seeing that on BGSes in the early 90s.
Correct.  This BGS was erected during the 1980s when the Civic Center was still around.

Ah, the Philadelphia Civic Center/Convention Hall... where in the '70's I attended a couple of Philadelphia Firebirds minor league hockey games at CH, the Philly Sports Show (for outdoorsmen like my fisherman father) (also in CH), not to mention a car show, a college fair, and in the '80s, the venerable Philadelphia Flower Show (those last three events in one or another of the CC's newer buildings).  You're making me feel *old*, ekt8750 and PHLBOS!

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: KEVIN_224 on November 03, 2015, 07:29:38 PM
I attended the Philadelphia Flower Show in March of 1991. That's also when I added Pennsylvania to my lifetime state count. I also attended WCW Halloween Havoc in October of 1992. I distinctly remember coming into Philly the first time on the Walt Whitman Bridge.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: DeaconG on November 03, 2015, 09:17:34 PM
My high school graduation in 1976 was in Convention Hall. Understood why it had to go but wasn't happy about it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 09, 2015, 10:31:04 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 26, 2015, 08:05:26 PM
A brand-new APL BGS has been erected along I-95 Northbound in Chester at the I-476 interchange replacing the previous-separate BGS panels (I-95 North pull-through & I-476 North (Mac Dade Blvd. pre-Dec. 1991) exit).  The right-turn portion of the shared-lane arrow has a temporary green-out sheet placed over it.   Apparently, PennDOT will be converting the center-lane along I-95 northbound into a shared-lane at this interchange in the foreseable future.

What's noteworthy about this APL is that it's probably the first PennDOT BGS in years that does not use the Clearview font.  The BGS' just south of this interchange, that were erected just a few years ago all have the destination listings in Clearview.  Additionally, the spacing of the 476 digits (in Series C) on the I-476 shield on the APL are a bit off; the 4 and the 7 are positioned too close leaving a noticeable, wider gap between the 7 and the 6

A single-line Plymouth Mtg. is used for the I-476 North destination listing rather than the 2-line Plymouth Meeting listing that its predecessor and surrounding signage in this area had/has.

Don't count out Clearview in PA just yet. In the very same interchange, a new BGS for I-476 NB's exit to MacDade Blvd was put up in the last couple of days (probably over the weekend cause I didn't see it last week) with the lone MacDade Blvd control in Clearview (all on one line). They also recently finally added yellow exit only bars at the bottom of the BGSes for I-476 on SB I-95 approaching the split (they never previously had them). I hope that will cut down somewhat on the weaving people are doing when they realize the right two lanes are splitting off.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 09, 2015, 05:14:47 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 09, 2015, 10:31:04 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 26, 2015, 08:05:26 PMWhat's noteworthy about this APL is that it's probably the first PennDOT BGS in years that does not use the Clearview font.  The BGS' just south of this interchange, that were erected just a few years ago all have the destination listings in Clearview.

Don't count out Clearview in PA just yet. In the very same interchange, a new BGS for I-476 NB's exit to MacDade Blvd was put up in the last couple of days (probably over the weekend cause I didn't see it last week) with the lone MacDade Blvd control in Clearview (all on one line). They also recently finally added yellow exit only bars at the bottom of the BGSes for I-476 on SB I-95 approaching the split (they never previously had them). I hope that will cut down somewhat on the weaving people are doing when they realize the right two lanes are splitting off.
I wasn't aware of the new MacDade Blvd. exit BGS; but I did see the yellow EXIT ONLY bars/sections for the existing I-476 BGS' along I-95 South last night (obviously, I do not exit for I-476 North).  I thought something looked somewhat different.

I have to wonder if the new MacDade Blvd. exit BGS in Clearview is from the same package (but a different phase) of the older sign-replacement project along I-95 between there and US 322 East whereas the APL is not (or it came from a different fabricator).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 15, 2015, 08:57:23 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 09, 2015, 10:31:04 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 26, 2015, 08:05:26 PM
A brand-new APL BGS has been erected along I-95 Northbound in Chester at the I-476 interchange replacing the previous-separate BGS panels (I-95 North pull-through & I-476 North (Mac Dade Blvd. pre-Dec. 1991) exit).  The right-turn portion of the shared-lane arrow has a temporary green-out sheet placed over it.   Apparently, PennDOT will be converting the center-lane along I-95 northbound into a shared-lane at this interchange in the foreseable future.

What's noteworthy about this APL is that it's probably the first PennDOT BGS in years that does not use the Clearview font.  The BGS' just south of this interchange, that were erected just a few years ago all have the destination listings in Clearview.  Additionally, the spacing of the 476 digits (in Series C) on the I-476 shield on the APL are a bit off; the 4 and the 7 are positioned too close leaving a noticeable, wider gap between the 7 and the 6

A single-line Plymouth Mtg. is used for the I-476 North destination listing rather than the 2-line Plymouth Meeting listing that its predecessor and surrounding signage in this area had/has.

Don't count out Clearview in PA just yet. In the very same interchange, a new BGS for I-476 NB's exit to MacDade Blvd was put up in the last couple of days (probably over the weekend cause I didn't see it last week) with the lone MacDade Blvd control in Clearview (all on one line). They also recently finally added yellow exit only bars at the bottom of the BGSes for I-476 on SB I-95 approaching the split (they never previously had them). I hope that will cut down somewhat on the weaving people are doing when they realize the right two lanes are splitting off.

Wanted to add on to this. There's now a BGS on the ramp from I-95 NB to I-476 directing to MacDade Blvd also in Clearview. I'm thinking the APL in the FHWA font is either a test or a contractor screw up.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 16, 2015, 12:48:18 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 15, 2015, 08:57:23 PMWanted to add on to this. There's now a BGS on the ramp from I-95 NB to I-476 directing to MacDade Blvd also in Clearview.
I saw that BGS while there this past Saturday night.

Quote from: ekt8750 on November 15, 2015, 08:57:23 PMI'm thinking the APL in the FHWA font is either a test or a contractor screw up.
Given that PennDOT has had prior experience with Highway Gothic installations; I would think the latter (not a bad thing, this time around). 

The only other reason could due ot the fact that the surrounding Clearview BGS' feature a slightly taller (& wider) letter size (at least they're not the super-sized Clearview lettering as seen on the Exit 329 signage along I-76 westbound); which would've made the width of the APL BGS as wide if not wider than the entire northbound I-95 roadbed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 18, 2015, 10:00:01 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 16, 2015, 12:48:18 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 15, 2015, 08:57:23 PMWanted to add on to this. There's now a BGS on the ramp from I-95 NB to I-476 directing to MacDade Blvd also in Clearview.
I saw that BGS while there this past Saturday night.

Quote from: ekt8750 on November 15, 2015, 08:57:23 PMI'm thinking the APL in the FHWA font is either a test or a contractor screw up.
Given that PennDOT has had prior experience with Highway Gothic installations; I would think the latter (not a bad thing, this time around). 

The only other reason could due ot the fact that the surrounding Clearview BGS' feature a slightly taller (& wider) letter size (at least they're not the super-sized Clearview lettering as seen on the Exit 329 signage along I-76 westbound); which would've made the width of the APL BGS as wide if not wider than the entire northbound I-95 roadbed.

So the mystery deepens with this interchange project. We now have another new sign up for I-476 NB coming off I-95 SB and the Plymouth Meeting legend is done in Series E (may even be Series D). This sign on the same gantry as the Clearview MacDade Blvd exit sign. There's also a yellow advanced warning sign for the end of the left lane that's currently covered.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Ian on November 18, 2015, 10:10:56 AM
Oh how I wish more people in this hobby took pictures of signs. I want to see these new signs in my backyard, but I won't be back in PA for another month.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 18, 2015, 10:41:04 AM
Quote from: Ian on November 18, 2015, 10:10:56 AM
Oh how I wish more people in this hobby took pictures of signs. I want to see these new signs in my backyard, but I won't be back in PA for another month.  :biggrin:

I go through this interchange on my commute everyday. I'll get one tomorrow. lol
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 19, 2015, 10:10:32 AM
Quote from: Ian on November 18, 2015, 10:10:56 AM
Oh how I wish more people in this hobby took pictures of signs. I want to see these new signs in my backyard, but I won't be back in PA for another month.  :biggrin:

Here ya go:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5829/22522932763_51bf13d134_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX)2015-11-19_10-06-03 (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 19, 2015, 10:19:35 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 19, 2015, 10:10:32 AM
Quote from: Ian on November 18, 2015, 10:10:56 AM
Oh how I wish more people in this hobby took pictures of signs. I want to see these new signs in my backyard, but I won't be back in PA for another month.  :biggrin:

Here ya go:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5829/22522932763_51bf13d134_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX)2015-11-19_10-06-03 (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
If that photo was taken along the northbound I-95 exit ramp; the latter two signs to the left of the MacDade Blvd. BGS must've been very recent add-ons.  When I drove that ramp last Saturday night the older (and graffiti-worn) pull-through BGS was still there.  Note: the lights weren't yet shifted to align with the new signs.

Note the absence of Clearview on the new I-476 North BGS (the Clearview MacDade Blvd. exit BGS was just erected a few days earlier).  Such also uses smaller Series D numerals rather than the larger Series C numerals shown on the other signs.

This area's getting almost as many mis-matched BGS styles & formats than the I-76/US 202/422 interchanges in the King of Prussia area.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 19, 2015, 11:07:39 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 19, 2015, 10:19:35 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 19, 2015, 10:10:32 AM
Quote from: Ian on November 18, 2015, 10:10:56 AM
Oh how I wish more people in this hobby took pictures of signs. I want to see these new signs in my backyard, but I won't be back in PA for another month.  :biggrin:

Here ya go:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5829/22522932763_51bf13d134_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX)2015-11-19_10-06-03 (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
If that photo was taken along the northbound I-95 exit ramp; the latter two signs to the left of the MacDade Blvd. BGS must've been very recent add-ons.  When I drove that ramp last Saturday night the older (and graffiti-worn) pull-through BGS was still there.  Note: the lights weren't yet shifted to align with the new signs.

Yeah they had to have gone up Tuesday night. They weren't there Tuesday morning.

QuoteNote the absence of Clearview on the new I-476 North BGS (the Clearview MacDade Blvd. exit BGS was just erected a few days earlier).  Such also uses smaller Series D numerals rather than the larger Series C numerals shown on the other signs.

This area's getting almost as many mis-matched BGS styles & formats than the I-76/US 202/422 interchanges in the King of Prussia area.

I will say while I do prefer Clearview for control city legends (numbers and all caps applications are another story), if PA does go back to FHWA, I hope they do use Series E as shown here instead of E Modified as they did before Clearview. One thing Clearview has shown us is that heavier weighted typefaces don't always equate to better visibility.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 19, 2015, 04:26:04 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 19, 2015, 11:07:39 AMI will say while I do prefer Clearview for control city legends (numbers and all caps applications are another story), if PA does go back to FHWA, I hope they do use Series E as shown here instead of E Modified as they did before Clearview. One thing Clearview has shown us is that heavier weighted typefaces don't always equate to better visibility.
My take on Clearview is either apply it properly (including no gargantuan text heights) or don't apply it at all.

To their credit (& for the most part), PennDOT & PTC seemed to have finally gotten the hang of how to properly apply the Clearview font (the worst examples of such in southeastern PA is along PA 309 in Montgomery County).  It's mostly other states that are still screwing their signs up by misusing or overusing the Clearview font.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 20, 2015, 02:51:08 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 19, 2015, 04:26:04 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 19, 2015, 11:07:39 AMI will say while I do prefer Clearview for control city legends (numbers and all caps applications are another story), if PA does go back to FHWA, I hope they do use Series E as shown here instead of E Modified as they did before Clearview. One thing Clearview has shown us is that heavier weighted typefaces don't always equate to better visibility.
My take on Clearview is either apply it properly (including no gargantuan text heights) or don't apply it at all.

To their credit (& for the most part), PennDOT & PTC seemed to have finally gotten the hang of how to properly apply the Clearview font (the worst examples of such in southeastern PA is along PA 309 in Montgomery County).  It's mostly other states that are still screwing their signs up by misusing or overusing the Clearview font.

Couldn't agree more. I'm looking at you Delaware and Maryland.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Ian on November 21, 2015, 03:11:13 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 19, 2015, 10:10:32 AM
Quote from: Ian on November 18, 2015, 10:10:56 AM
Oh how I wish more people in this hobby took pictures of signs. I want to see these new signs in my backyard, but I won't be back in PA for another month.  :biggrin:

Here ya go:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5829/22522932763_51bf13d134_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX)2015-11-19_10-06-03 (https://flic.kr/p/AjgVdX) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr

Thanks for posting it! I don't mind the look of the exit tab. I was never a fan of PennDOT's usual exit tabs where the corners have the same radius as the corners on the main sign panel.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 23, 2015, 12:35:02 PM
This sign here on 95 was also recently replaced a similar one done in Clearview: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9007804,-75.1545495,3a,75y,255.39h,89.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soOi9uwQQ-SeuxksSQ736WA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on November 24, 2015, 07:56:49 AM
Richmond Street near the Philly waterfront has reopened...

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/11/23/key-artery-in-port-richmond-reopens-to-traffic/

but...

Quote[W]ork on nearby I-95, however, will expand early next month with the closure of the on-ramp to I-95 north at the Girard Avenue interchange. That project will result in slight detours for the next 18 months.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 24, 2015, 01:00:37 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on November 23, 2015, 12:35:02 PM
This sign here on 95 was also recently replaced a similar one done in Clearview: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9007804,-75.1545495,3a,75y,255.39h,89.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soOi9uwQQ-SeuxksSQ736WA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Its northbound companion (located at the Girard Point Bridge) was also replaced as well.

Personally, the replacement BGS' are actually an improvement.  The predecessor BGS boards were a tad too small for the messages (which made such BGS' looked crowded).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on December 08, 2015, 08:17:21 PM
Looks like the second lane on the I-95 NB ramp to I-476 NB is open.  Was looking at traffic cameras due to an accident further up the road and noticed the cover on the option lane APL sign was gone.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on December 09, 2015, 08:37:00 AM
Quote from: MASTERNC on December 08, 2015, 08:17:21 PM
Looks like the second lane on the I-95 NB ramp to I-476 NB is open.  Was looking at traffic cameras due to an accident further up the road and noticed the cover on the option lane APL sign was gone.
That must've been very recent opening.  That lane wasn't yet open as of this past Sunday (APL option lane was still partially covered).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 09, 2015, 09:16:48 AM
Based on this 511 alert from a few days ago, it appears that 2nd lane may have opened up on Dec. 8th.  http://511enews.com/tag/pennsylvania/ .

QuoteFrom 8:00 PM Monday, December 7, to 5:00 AM Tuesday, December 8, the I-95 north off-ramp to I-476 north in Ridley Township, Delaware County, will be closed for the removal of temporary concrete barriers. During the ramp closure, northbound I-95 drivers heading to I-476 north will be detoured north on I-95 to the Ridley Park exit (Exit 8). At the top off the exit ramp, they will turn left onto Stewart Avenue, left at the on-ramp to I-95 south, and follow I-95 south to the ramp to I-476 north.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on December 10, 2015, 07:50:43 PM
It's definitely open, although the lane markings on I-95 don't appear to be done that well (hard to describe, but the option lane isn't well marked).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on December 11, 2015, 03:32:37 PM
Line striping and overhead sign installation to occur at I-95/I-476 interchange over the next week:

http://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/Pages/details.aspx?newsid=222
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 11, 2015, 03:43:49 PM
Looks like the two big fork signs are going to be replaced on SB 95 approaching 476.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on December 14, 2015, 08:41:04 AM
Quote from: MASTERNC on December 10, 2015, 07:50:43 PM
It's definitely open, although the lane markings on I-95 don't appear to be done that well (hard to describe, but the option lane isn't well marked).
I drove that stretch last night.  The only other signs giving hint of the shared-turn lanes are a couple of R3-8-style signs posted along the right-hand shoulder prior to the new APL BGS.  IMHO, there should be at least one more advance APL along I-95 North even if such means replacing a couple of relatively-new BGS'.

Quote from: ekt8750 on December 11, 2015, 03:43:49 PM
Looks like the two big fork signs are going to be replaced on SB 95 approaching 476.
I guess the replacement(s) will be APL as well?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 14, 2015, 10:07:33 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on December 14, 2015, 08:41:04 AM
author=ekt8750 link=topic=2410.msg2112148#msg2112148 date=1449866629]
Looks like the two big fork signs are going to be replaced on SB 95 approaching 476.
I guess the replacement(s) will be APL as well?
[/quote]

I hope so. I drive that stretch of road almost daily and it annoys me to no end how many people weave in and out of lanes trying to figure out which Interstate they need to be on and which lane that entails getting in.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on December 14, 2015, 07:25:43 PM
Weird that they finally added exit only tabs to the 95SB signs, if they were just going to be replaced later anyway.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 15, 2015, 12:32:11 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on December 14, 2015, 07:25:43 PM
Weird that they finally added exit only tabs to the 95SB signs, if they were just going to be replaced later anyway.

To be fair they were only slapped onto the old signs. Those tabs needed to go up when the Blue Route first opened so putting a temporary solution up before the permanent one goes up is better than not.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on December 17, 2015, 06:44:10 AM
As of last night, there existing signs were still there on I-95 SB.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 17, 2015, 09:53:25 AM
They still are this morning as well. The bulletin says the work is weather permitting and there is a window that goes through Friday morning.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on January 15, 2016, 02:11:30 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160115_PennDOT_might_open_Schuylkill_Expressway_shoulders_to_traffic.html

Quote
The stretch of highway between Route 202 and Route 1 has been subject of a traffic study since late 2014, PennDOT spokesman Eugene Blaum said Thursday, because of major backups that routinely occur there. A study by American Highway Users and AAA last year found the expressway at Route 1 to be among the 50 worst bottlenecks in the country

Only a study at this point, but I seem to recall a similar study/proposal to also open the shoulders on the Blue Route's southern section as well.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on January 15, 2016, 03:09:36 PM
They also whiffed when they rebuilt the South St bridge and left the left lane exits in. The traffic caused by them is even worse with the poorly timed traffic lights at the top of those ramps.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: cl94 on January 15, 2016, 03:32:02 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on January 15, 2016, 02:11:30 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160115_PennDOT_might_open_Schuylkill_Expressway_shoulders_to_traffic.html

Quote
The stretch of highway between Route 202 and Route 1 has been subject of a traffic study since late 2014, PennDOT spokesman Eugene Blaum said Thursday, because of major backups that routinely occur there. A study by American Highway Users and AAA last year found the expressway at Route 1 to be among the 50 worst bottlenecks in the country

Only a study at this point, but I seem to recall a similar study/proposal to also open the shoulders on the Blue Route's southern section as well.

So they want to do what Massachusetts did on Route 128? Talk about dangerous. And if someone breaks down, the traffic would be worse than it is now.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on January 15, 2016, 04:31:43 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 15, 2016, 03:32:02 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on January 15, 2016, 02:11:30 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160115_PennDOT_might_open_Schuylkill_Expressway_shoulders_to_traffic.html

Quote
The stretch of highway between Route 202 and Route 1 has been subject of a traffic study since late 2014, PennDOT spokesman Eugene Blaum said Thursday, because of major backups that routinely occur there. A study by American Highway Users and AAA last year found the expressway at Route 1 to be among the 50 worst bottlenecks in the country

Only a study at this point, but I seem to recall a similar study/proposal to also open the shoulders on the Blue Route's southern section as well.

So they want to do what Massachusetts did on Route 128? Talk about dangerous. And if someone breaks down, the traffic would be worse than it is now.
Didn't VA do similar on a stretch of I-66 (inside I-495) as well?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: cpzilliacus on January 15, 2016, 04:42:18 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 15, 2016, 04:31:43 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 15, 2016, 03:32:02 PM
So they want to do what Massachusetts did on Route 128? Talk about dangerous. And if someone breaks down, the traffic would be worse than it is now.
Didn't VA do similar on a stretch of I-66 (inside I-495) as well?

Outside the Beltway.  Between U.S. 50 (Lee Jackson Highway) at Fair Oaks and I-495.

Only on-shoulder operation between I-495 and the T. Roosevelt Bridge are a limited number of buses that may use the shoulders.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on January 17, 2016, 09:40:12 AM
I assume this means PENNDOT will have to clean the shoulder every now and then?  A nice big partially shredded tire and part of an old crate will probably not do wonders efficiency of a commuter lane.  Seriously though, I heard this news yesterday on TV and let out a groan.  Is this the same person who suggested a Bus rapid transit way to use the right shoulder of I-676 through Camden?  What is with DVRPC's obsession with not expanding lanes (or new transit service for that matter)?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on January 17, 2016, 11:20:31 AM
Many of the people at the DVRPC are bicycle and transit enthusiasts. There's definitely a bias towards those types of projects. However, there's a lot of regular people out there that will like to see widened roads...just not the road they live on. And due to the older infrastructure and dense population in the area, it's tricky and expensive to do any significant widening.

I don't really foresee shoulder driving being permitted anytime soon. The room isn't there for improvements for breakdown areas and ramp merging, unlike what is done with I-66.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: cl94 on January 17, 2016, 01:08:06 PM
There really isn't much room to widen. Good luck widening the Schuylkill at some of the choke points. There is no room east of Exit 342. Even if you widen at US 1, you'd have worse congestion near I-676.

What Philly really needs is more mass transit to bring people in from the suburbs.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on January 17, 2016, 01:18:31 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 17, 2016, 01:08:06 PM
There really isn't much room to widen. Good luck widening the Schuylkill at some of the choke points. There is no room east of Exit 342. Even if you widen at US 1, you'd have worse congestion near I-676.

What Philly really needs is more mass transit to bring people in from the suburbs.
...That isn't happening anytime soon.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: DJStephens on January 18, 2016, 12:52:07 AM
Quote from: cl94 on January 15, 2016, 03:32:02 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on January 15, 2016, 02:11:30 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160115_PennDOT_might_open_Schuylkill_Expressway_shoulders_to_traffic.html

Quote
The stretch of highway between Route 202 and Route 1 has been subject of a traffic study since late 2014, PennDOT spokesman Eugene Blaum said Thursday, because of major backups that routinely occur there. A study by American Highway Users and AAA last year found the expressway at Route 1 to be among the 50 worst bottlenecks in the country

Only a study at this point, but I seem to recall a similar study/proposal to also open the shoulders on the Blue Route's southern section as well.

So they want to do what Massachusetts did on Route 128? Talk about dangerous. And if someone breaks down, the traffic would be worse than it is now.

Used to refer those lanes as "Salvucci lanes" in honor of the useless transportation secretary under equally useless governor Michael Dukakis.   Believe Mass Highway is finally nearing finishing a lane addition on a stretch of route 128, a section which should have been improved/widened forty plus years ago. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: mariethefoxy on January 18, 2016, 02:47:31 AM
one thing i didnt get about the shoulder lane use on Route 128 was, how did they handle the onramps, if you got people driving on the shoulder and then part of the onramp space, that seems like a recipe for disaster
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 18, 2016, 08:01:52 AM
Quote from: DJStephens on January 18, 2016, 12:52:07 AM
Quote from: cl94 on January 15, 2016, 03:32:02 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on January 15, 2016, 02:11:30 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160115_PennDOT_might_open_Schuylkill_Expressway_shoulders_to_traffic.html

Quote
The stretch of highway between Route 202 and Route 1 has been subject of a traffic study since late 2014, PennDOT spokesman Eugene Blaum said Thursday, because of major backups that routinely occur there. A study by American Highway Users and AAA last year found the expressway at Route 1 to be among the 50 worst bottlenecks in the country

Only a study at this point, but I seem to recall a similar study/proposal to also open the shoulders on the Blue Route's southern section as well.

So they want to do what Massachusetts did on Route 128? Talk about dangerous. And if someone breaks down, the traffic would be worse than it is now.

Used to refer those lanes as "Salvucci lanes" in honor of the useless transportation secretary under equally useless governor Michael Dukakis.   Believe Mass Highway is finally nearing finishing a lane addition on a stretch of route 128, a section which should have been improved/widened forty plus years ago.

How about you start a thread about how the least political-hack of transportation secretaries in recent memory was useless.

If forty-plus years ago is your beef, why no digs at Alan Altshuler?  Hell, why not call them Sargent lanes?

Quote from: mariethefoxy on January 18, 2016, 02:47:31 AM
one thing i didnt get about the shoulder lane use on Route 128 was, how did they handle the onramps, if you got people driving on the shoulder and then part of the onramp space, that seems like a recipe for disaster

There is still shoulder rush-hour use around.  Entrance and exit works just like any road with short acceleration lanes and/or no shoulder–exits and entrances occur from/to the rightmost operating lane.  You have to keep in mind that while traffic is heavy during the peak times when these lanes are open, it is also not moving at top speed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman on January 21, 2016, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on January 18, 2016, 02:47:31 AM
one thing i didnt get about the shoulder lane use on Route 128 was, how did they handle the onramps, if you got people driving on the shoulder and then part of the onramp space, that seems like a recipe for disaster
Simple, they posted warning signs on the ramps about the peak-hour breakdown lane travel, and posted Yield signs at the ends of the ramps.  Massachusetts also used the dotted white line extensions at exit and entrance ramps within the peak hour breakdown lane travel areas long before it became an MUTCD standard for all exit ramps.

Note that potential conflict between entering traffic and traffic using the breakdown lane for travel has not been a major problem.  The bigger issue has been with people colliding with stopped cars in the breakdown lane.  Over the 30+ years that peak hour travel has been allowed in the I-95/I-93 breakdown lanes, there have been at least four fatalities because of this.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: cl94 on January 21, 2016, 04:02:05 PM
Quote from: roadman on January 21, 2016, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on January 18, 2016, 02:47:31 AM
one thing i didnt get about the shoulder lane use on Route 128 was, how did they handle the onramps, if you got people driving on the shoulder and then part of the onramp space, that seems like a recipe for disaster
Simple, they posted warning signs on the ramps about the peak-hour breakdown lane travel, and posted Yield signs at the ends of the ramps.  Massachusetts also used the dotted white line extensions at exit and entrance ramps within the peak hour breakdown lane travel areas long before it became an MUTCD standard for all exit ramps.

Note that potential conflict between entering traffic and traffic using the breakdown lane for travel has not been a major problem.  The bigger issue has been with people colliding with stopped cars in the breakdown lane.  Over the 30+ years that peak hour travel has been allowed in the I-95/I-93 breakdown lanes, there have been at least four fatalities because of this.

Which is probably the main reason they're doing away with breakdown lane travel
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: spooky on January 21, 2016, 04:37:03 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 21, 2016, 04:02:05 PM
Quote from: roadman on January 21, 2016, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on January 18, 2016, 02:47:31 AM
one thing i didnt get about the shoulder lane use on Route 128 was, how did they handle the onramps, if you got people driving on the shoulder and then part of the onramp space, that seems like a recipe for disaster
Simple, they posted warning signs on the ramps about the peak-hour breakdown lane travel, and posted Yield signs at the ends of the ramps.  Massachusetts also used the dotted white line extensions at exit and entrance ramps within the peak hour breakdown lane travel areas long before it became an MUTCD standard for all exit ramps.

Note that potential conflict between entering traffic and traffic using the breakdown lane for travel has not been a major problem.  The bigger issue has been with people colliding with stopped cars in the breakdown lane.  Over the 30+ years that peak hour travel has been allowed in the I-95/I-93 breakdown lanes, there have been at least four fatalities because of this.

Which is probably the main reason they're doing away with breakdown lane travel

The reason they're doing away with breakdown travel on I-95 is because they're finally finishing the add-a-lane project that replaces the added capacity provided by breakdown lane use with a proper 4th lane.

They still have breakdown lane use on MA 3 from Weymouth to Pembroke, and will continue to do so.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman on January 21, 2016, 04:44:15 PM
Quote from: spooky on January 21, 2016, 04:37:03 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 21, 2016, 04:02:05 PM
Quote from: roadman on January 21, 2016, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on January 18, 2016, 02:47:31 AM
one thing i didnt get about the shoulder lane use on Route 128 was, how did they handle the onramps, if you got people driving on the shoulder and then part of the onramp space, that seems like a recipe for disaster
Simple, they posted warning signs on the ramps about the peak-hour breakdown lane travel, and posted Yield signs at the ends of the ramps.  Massachusetts also used the dotted white line extensions at exit and entrance ramps within the peak hour breakdown lane travel areas long before it became an MUTCD standard for all exit ramps.

Note that potential conflict between entering traffic and traffic using the breakdown lane for travel has not been a major problem.  The bigger issue has been with people colliding with stopped cars in the breakdown lane.  Over the 30+ years that peak hour travel has been allowed in the I-95/I-93 breakdown lanes, there have been at least four fatalities because of this.

Which is probably the main reason they're doing away with breakdown lane travel

The reason they're doing away with breakdown travel on I-95 is because they're finally finishing the add-a-lane project that replaces the added capacity provided by breakdown lane use with a proper 4th lane.

They still have breakdown lane use on MA 3 from Weymouth to Pembroke, and will continue to do so.
Not to mention I-93 between Wilmington and Methuen, although the Methuen end was truncated to the Merrimack River bridge to accommodate the Methuen Rotary work.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: froggie on January 22, 2016, 06:35:36 AM
Quote from: roadmanalthough the Methuen end was truncated to the Merrimack River bridge to accommodate the Methuen Rotary work.

Speaking of which, what are they doing there?  From what I could see a couple weekends ago, looks like they're converting it into some sort of par-clo.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on January 22, 2016, 09:08:59 AM
Quote from: froggie on January 22, 2016, 06:35:36 AM
Quote from: roadmanalthough the Methuen end was truncated to the Merrimack River bridge to accommodate the Methuen Rotary work.
Speaking of which, what are they doing there?  From what I could see a couple weekends ago, looks like they're converting it into some sort of par-clo.
Correct.  Such has been mentioned and probably buried in one of the Massachusetts threads; nonetheless:

Quote from: MassDOTMETHUEN- INTERCHANGE RECONSTRUCTION ON I-93 AT ROUTE 110/113 ROTARY, INCLUDING REMOVAL OF M-17-017 & M-17-018, REHAB OF M-17-007 & NEW BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION OF M-17-040

The project will eliminate the rotary and realign Routes 110 and 113 under I-93 and result in a continuous through movement for Route 113 west of the rotary to Route 110 east of the rotary. Routes 110 and 113 west and east of the rotary would be realigned to provide a four-leg and a "T"  intersection, respectively. The preferred alternative calls for a partial cloverleaf interchange. The interchange ramps would be realigned with new loops located in the northeast and northwest quadrants. The first loop would provide the movement from westbound Route 110/113 to the southbound on-ramp in the northwest quadrant, and the second from the northbound off-ramp to westbound Route 110/113 in the northeast

Source Enter Methuen and look under Project 605181.
_________________________________________________________________________

We now return to our regularly-scheduled Pennsylvania thread now already in progress.  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman on January 22, 2016, 12:23:20 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 22, 2016, 09:08:59 AM
Quote from: froggie on January 22, 2016, 06:35:36 AM
Quote from: roadmanalthough the Methuen end was truncated to the Merrimack River bridge to accommodate the Methuen Rotary work.
Speaking of which, what are they doing there?  From what I could see a couple weekends ago, looks like they're converting it into some sort of par-clo.
Correct.  Such has been mentioned and probably buried in one of the Massachusetts threads; nonetheless:

Quote from: MassDOTMETHUEN- INTERCHANGE RECONSTRUCTION ON I-93 AT ROUTE 110/113 ROTARY, INCLUDING REMOVAL OF M-17-017 & M-17-018, REHAB OF M-17-007 & NEW BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION OF M-17-040

The project will eliminate the rotary and realign Routes 110 and 113 under I-93 and result in a continuous through movement for Route 113 west of the rotary to Route 110 east of the rotary. Routes 110 and 113 west and east of the rotary would be realigned to provide a four-leg and a “T” intersection, respectively. The preferred alternative calls for a partial cloverleaf interchange. The interchange ramps would be realigned with new loops located in the northeast and northwest quadrants. The first loop would provide the movement from westbound Route 110/113 to the southbound on-ramp in the northwest quadrant, and the second from the northbound off-ramp to westbound Route 110/113 in the northeast

Source Enter Methuen and look under Project 605181.
_________________________________________________________________________



Better still, go to http://methuenrotary.mhd.state.ma.us/

We now return to our regularly-scheduled Pennsylvania thread now already in progress.  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 10, 2016, 10:35:15 AM
It's been often mentioned an alternative to widening the Schuylkill Expressway is to have rail instead.  SEPTA has narrowed down the proposed routes to 5: http://www.kingofprussiarail.com/tier3.html  Basically, all will end at the Valley Forge Convention Center & VF Casino, all will go near the King of Prussia Mall, and all will intersect with the existing Norristown High Speed Line. 

Because there always has to be one group that wants to fight it, some people in Upper Merion, PA want to 'talk' about the rail line and to have a voice in the planning and decision making. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/in-transit/One-group-is-saying-NO-to-King-of-Prussia-rail-proposal.html

There's also a small issue about funding the estimated $1 Billion price tag for the line, which right now has no sources of funding.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Rothman on February 10, 2016, 10:45:30 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 10, 2016, 10:35:15 AM
It's been often mentioned an alternative to widening the Schuylkill Expressway is to have rail instead. 

:banghead:

It will be a great day when such advocates realize that building transit lines supplement current capacity, not replace it.  Not that building a $1B rail line with no apparent funding sources is a bad thing.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 10, 2016, 11:08:22 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 10, 2016, 10:45:30 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 10, 2016, 10:35:15 AM
It's been often mentioned an alternative to widening the Schuylkill Expressway is to have rail instead. 

:banghead:

It will be a great day when such advocates realize that building transit lines supplement current capacity, not replace it.  Not that building a $1B rail line with no apparent funding sources is a bad thing.

Generally agree.  But the chances of widening the Schuylkill are so remote (and have even less of a chance of securing a funding source) that this will have to do.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on February 10, 2016, 01:41:41 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 10, 2016, 10:45:30 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 10, 2016, 10:35:15 AM
It's been often mentioned an alternative to widening the Schuylkill Expressway is to have rail instead. 

:banghead:

It will be a great day when such advocates realize that building transit lines supplement current capacity, not replace it.  Not that building a $1B rail line with no apparent funding sources is a bad thing.

You have to realize a lot of transit advocates don't care about that. 50% of them are weirdo foamers that want to play choo choo with the public transit system, Another 40% are tree hugging nutjobs that thing the personal automobile is the ruination of the planet and will do anything to see ever car banned, and then you have the other 10% which are actual level headed people.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: cl94 on February 10, 2016, 02:12:22 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on February 10, 2016, 01:41:41 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 10, 2016, 10:45:30 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 10, 2016, 10:35:15 AM
It's been often mentioned an alternative to widening the Schuylkill Expressway is to have rail instead. 

:banghead:

It will be a great day when such advocates realize that building transit lines supplement current capacity, not replace it.  Not that building a $1B rail line with no apparent funding sources is a bad thing.

You have to realize a lot of transit advocates don't care about that. 50% of them are weirdo foamers that want to play choo choo with the public transit system, Another 40% are tree hugging nutjobs that thing the personal automobile is the ruination of the planet and will do anything to see ever car banned, and then you have the other 10% which are actual level headed people.

You realize that similar things can be said about people on this forum, right? How many users want a million freeways to be built? The number of foamers is quite low, as are the "tree huggers".
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ARMOURERERIC on February 11, 2016, 02:13:40 AM
Shame they could never build an east shore  HOT-3/BRT reversible 2 lane out to Norristown
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on March 15, 2016, 08:38:18 AM
there are two new monotube gantries on I-95 in Philly in the GIR project zone - one northbound and one southbound. the northbound one is still unoccupied, but the southbound one hosts a pair of signs - the exit sign for Girard Ave / Delaware Ave, in Clearview and lacking an exit tab, and a long-needed advance sign for I-676 / US 30 / Callowhill St / Central Phila (it omits the Ben Franklin Bridge destination that the other existing signs have). The advance sign is in construction orange with Series E at a significantly smaller size than the Clearview on the adjacent panel, and has an odd I-676 shield - the "676" legend is in undersized Series C aligned with the top of the blue section, so as a whole the shield just looks off.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on March 15, 2016, 12:12:08 PM
Quote from: odditude on March 15, 2016, 08:38:18 AM
there are two new monotube gantries on I-95 in Philly in the GIR project zone - one northbound and one southbound. the northbound one is still unoccupied, but the southbound one hosts a pair of signs - the exit sign for Girard Ave / Delaware Ave, in Clearview and lacking an exit tab, and a long-needed advance sign for I-676 / US 30 / Callowhill St / Central Phila (it omits the Ben Franklin Bridge destination that the other existing signs have). The advance sign is in construction orange with Series E at a significantly smaller size than the Clearview on the adjacent panel, and has an odd I-676 shield - the "676" legend is in undersized Series C aligned with the top of the blue section, so as a whole the shield just looks off.

I think we're going to be seeing this a lot esp in PA with the rescinding of Clearview. Case in point, in Philly there's a new gore sign at the ramp to I-76 West/I-676 East from Schuylkill Av behind 30th St Station and that's in Clearview.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on March 15, 2016, 09:30:53 PM
Quote from: odditude on March 15, 2016, 08:38:18 AM
there are two new monotube gantries on I-95 in Philly in the GIR project zone - one northbound and one southbound. the northbound one is still unoccupied, but the southbound one hosts a pair of signs - the exit sign for Girard Ave / Delaware Ave, in Clearview and lacking an exit tab, and a long-needed advance sign for I-676 / US 30 / Callowhill St / Central Phila (it omits the Ben Franklin Bridge destination that the other existing signs have). The advance sign is in construction orange with Series Eat a significantly smaller size than the Clearview on the adjacent panel, and has an odd I-676 shield - the "676" legend is in undersized Series C aligned with the top of the blue section, so as a whole the shield just looks off.

Series E... sounds like a bunch of U.S. Savings Bonds... er, no, that's Series *E*E.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 16, 2016, 08:32:24 AM
Along US 202 NB approaching PA 29; one new gantry has the pull-though 202 NB BGS w/Clearview lettering (for the King of Prussia listing) but the PA 29 exit sign has Highway Gothic lettering for its destinations.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on March 16, 2016, 09:53:45 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 16, 2016, 08:32:24 AM
Along US 202 NB approaching PA 29; one new gantry has the pull-though 202 NB BGS w/Clearview lettering (for the King of Prussia listing) but the PA 29 exit sign has Highway Gothic lettering for its destinations.

Were the Highway Gothic legends in Series E, E modified, or something else?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 16, 2016, 12:53:52 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on March 16, 2016, 09:53:45 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 16, 2016, 08:32:24 AM
Along US 202 NB approaching PA 29; one new gantry has the pull-though 202 NB BGS w/Clearview lettering (for the King of Prussia listing) but the PA 29 exit sign has Highway Gothic lettering for its destinations.

Were the Highway Gothic legends in Series E, E modified, or something else?
I only saw the BGS once.  I'm assuming either E or E modified.  I didn't get a picture of such... yet.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on April 26, 2016, 09:52:51 AM
This happened over the weekend at the I-95/I-476 Interchange:

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1595/26384428960_7246ea4cb3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Gcv6vA)20160426_094939 (https://flic.kr/p/Gcv6vA) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Ian on April 26, 2016, 11:06:18 AM
^ Minus the Clearview, I actually sort of like the set up with the mono-tube arm. I also dig that PennDOT looks to be installing sign lights with them.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on April 26, 2016, 11:47:24 AM
Quote from: Ian on April 26, 2016, 11:06:18 AM
^ Minus the Clearview, I actually sort of like the set up with the mono-tube arm. I also dig that PennDOT looks to be installing sign lights with them.

Yeah I like the monotubes. PennDOT seems to be using them with all their new sign installations. They're going up on I-95 in Philly in the widening area as well.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on April 29, 2016, 07:24:23 PM
It only took 6 or 7 years but PennDOT finally patched the BGSes for the Montgomery Drive/MLK Jr Drive exit on I-76 this past week.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1584/26112180234_6f988a5efe_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FMrKs3)20160429_180627 (https://flic.kr/p/FMrKs3) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on April 29, 2016, 09:26:02 PM
As far as patches go, they actually did a pretty decent job, even down to centering. Though, the OCD part of me would have wished they replaced the "Dr" portion as well... (Half surprised it is not Clearview, like some of the college to university changes in the NE part of the state).

Also, never considered the coincidental-connection between Montgomery (Dr) and ML King (Dr) on the same sign until now...
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on April 29, 2016, 09:50:50 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on April 29, 2016, 07:24:23 PM
It only took 6 or 7 years but PennDOT finally patched the BGSes for the Montgomery Drive/MLK Jr Drive exit on I-76 this past week.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1584/26112180234_6f988a5efe_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FMrKs3)20160429_180627 (https://flic.kr/p/FMrKs3) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
What is under the patch there? If I remember right, it's East River Drive or some along the lines of that.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on April 29, 2016, 09:54:04 PM
West River Drive became ML King Drive.

Old Street View: https://goo.gl/maps/k7BuyLyKxp52
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on April 30, 2016, 08:46:21 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on April 29, 2016, 09:50:50 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on April 29, 2016, 07:24:23 PM
It only took 6 or 7 years but PennDOT finally patched the BGSes for the Montgomery Drive/MLK Jr Drive exit on I-76 this past week.

[picture] (https://flic.kr/p/FMrKs3) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
What is under the patch there? If I remember right, it's East River Drive or some along the lines of that.

Quote from: Flyer78 on April 29, 2016, 09:54:04 PM
West River Drive became ML King Drive.

Old Street View: https://goo.gl/maps/k7BuyLyKxp52

...and East River Drive became Kelly Drive.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on May 02, 2016, 08:46:01 AM
Quote from: Flyer78 on April 29, 2016, 09:26:02 PM(Half surprised it is not Clearview, like some of the college to university changes in the NE part of the state).
The patch may have been fabricated after the interim approval of the Clearview font was recently revoked.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on May 02, 2016, 04:28:01 PM
Oh, for sure; because they are many other examples of PennDOT mixing the font within the same sign, for example https://goo.gl/maps/BnRDY5kRibR2

(Which has been further modified).

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on May 04, 2016, 11:11:04 AM
PennDOT's finished the reconfiguration of the northbound ramps of I-95/I-476 interchange. If you don't know they took the ramp from I-95 North to I-476 and added a second lane to it, and then took the ramp from I-95 South to 476 and made both its lanes the pull through lanes. The whole thing basically puts an end to cars weaving in and out of lanes that end after the interchange and the resulting queuing of cars on the ramps. There was a much smoother flow of traffic today than yesterday.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on May 04, 2016, 01:58:17 PM
So the both northbound (from 95) lanes now must merge right? It had looked like they were also expanding the merge zone, as well.

Sounds like a good improvement over the prior design, which led to a merge on the bridge.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on May 04, 2016, 02:26:58 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on May 04, 2016, 01:58:17 PM
So the both northbound (from 95) lanes now must merge right? It had looked like they were also expanding the merge zone, as well.

Sounds like a good improvement over the prior design, which led to a merge on the bridge.

The right lane from the flyover first merges and then that lane now merges further ahead so yeah they did expand the merge area a good 500-750 feet.

Now if only they could add that 3rd lane in each direction up to PA 3. :-D
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on May 04, 2016, 08:37:11 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on May 04, 2016, 11:11:04 AM
PennDOT's finished the reconfiguration of the northbound ramps of I-95/I-476 interchange. If you don't know they took the ramp from I-95 North to I-476 and added a second lane to it, and then took the ramp from I-95 South to 476 and made both its lanes the pull through lanes. The whole thing basically puts an end to cars weaving in and out of lanes that end after the interchange and the resulting queuing of cars on the ramps. There was a much smoother flow of traffic today than yesterday.

Just drove up that way during the PM rush.  Coming from I-95 North, the backup was significantly less now that you don't have to travel through two lane drops (one on the ramp from I-95 North and one further up from the I-95 South ramp).

I'd hate to be someone taking I-95 South now though, as the gridlock has been pushed farther back with the earlier lane drop on that ramp.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: KEVIN_224 on June 24, 2016, 02:46:26 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/in-transit/What-you-need-to-know-about-driving-on-Interstate-95-during-the-DNC.html

Weight restrictions for vehicles over 5 tons for I-95 in Philadelphia next month, along with possible lane closures during the time of the Democratic Convention. Alludes to likely ramp closures as well.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on June 24, 2016, 08:57:07 PM
Are the button copy signs along US-1/US-13 Roosevelt Blvd still there? 

I know all near Woodhaven have been replaced about a year ago.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 17, 2016, 01:14:54 AM
"Illegal parking to be declared illegal" would've been my headline for this news story...

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Philadelphia-Police-Will-Enforce-Broad-Street-Median-Parking-Ban-387028461.html
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: mariethefoxy on July 17, 2016, 02:20:06 AM
It appears to be temporary. That sucks if they take it out entirely, it was an innovative way to add more parking to a place that desperately needed it. I always thought NYC and other places should adopt a similar way to squeeze more parking spaces out of their streets.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 17, 2016, 09:54:23 AM
Yeah, it's just temporary. Honestly, with all that would be going on I wouldn't want to park anywhere near Broad Street during the convention.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 17, 2016, 02:13:56 PM
Detour signs have gone up for the 5 ton truck ban on 95 during the convention. Interestingly enough these PennDOT made I-95 shields feature the much maligned (at least by some on this site) PennDOT route number font usually reserved state and US highway shields they produce:

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8279/28370219455_8b8f4e17fc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/KdYMQK)2016-07-17_01-58-02 (https://flic.kr/p/KdYMQK) by Eric Butler (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 17, 2016, 04:26:40 PM
VMS signage in NJ is also mentioning the truck ban on 95 in Philly next week.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:47:07 AM
Why does I-95 have a truck ban during major events? Is it a bridge or something?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 18, 2016, 10:03:21 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:47:07 AM
Why does I-95 have a truck ban during major events? Is it a bridge or something?

The Girard Point Bridge over the Schuylkill River is only a stones throw away from the Sports Complex.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 18, 2016, 10:11:23 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:47:07 AM
Why does I-95 have a truck ban during major events? Is it a bridge or something?

It's only during this event.  And it's not really the Girard Point Bridge that's the concern; it's the closeness of I-95 to the Wells Fargo Center. 

There were other travel restrictions in place for last year's papal visit, although the extent of that was way greater (not great, as I originally wrote) than it needed to be.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 11:36:23 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 18, 2016, 10:11:23 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:47:07 AM
Why does I-95 have a truck ban during major events? Is it a bridge or something?

It's only during this event.  And it's not really the Girard Point Bridge that's the concern; it's the closeness of I-95 to the Wells Fargo Center. 

There were other travel restrictions in place for last year's papal visit, although the extent of that was way great than it needed to be.

And given what happened recently in Nice, it makes perfect sense. I'm staying far away from Philly and Cleveland this month, because I expect things to get nasty in both places.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 12:26:46 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 18, 2016, 10:11:23 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:47:07 AM
Why does I-95 have a truck ban during major events? Is it a bridge or something?

It's only during this event.  And it's not really the Girard Point Bridge that's the concern; it's the closeness of I-95 to the Wells Fargo Center. 

There were other travel restrictions in place for last year's papal visit, although the extent of that was way great than it needed to be.
Makes sense.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 18, 2016, 01:43:59 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 11:36:23 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 18, 2016, 10:11:23 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:47:07 AM
Why does I-95 have a truck ban during major events? Is it a bridge or something?

It's only during this event.  And it's not really the Girard Point Bridge that's the concern; it's the closeness of I-95 to the Wells Fargo Center. 

There were other travel restrictions in place for last year's papal visit, although the extent of that was way great than it needed to be.

And given what happened recently in Nice, it makes perfect sense. I'm staying far away from Philly and Cleveland this month, because I expect things to get nasty in both places.

Did you really have any plans to be in either city anyway?

And just to point out...the places where a lot of this unfortunate crap is happening isn't occurring in hotbed areas during major events.  Nice's truck rampage occurred *after* the event (when people are generally thankful everything went well), for example.  And many of the other issues in this country have taken place in areas that had nothing major going on.

No doubt there's going to be stuff happening during the political conventions, but that's pretty typical.  When Philly last hosted a convention (in 2000; the last one before 9/11), there was still a lot of tension.  Protestors blocked streets; stuff was hurled at police (including a bike that was tossed at the police commissioner who was standing side-by-side with his fellow officers).  It's just gotten a lot worse over the past month (unfortunate timing there...).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: SteveG1988 on July 31, 2016, 06:25:40 PM
Progress on the betsy ross bridge interchange on 95

http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on July 31, 2016, 06:31:54 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 18, 2016, 01:43:59 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 11:36:23 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 18, 2016, 10:11:23 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:47:07 AM
Why does I-95 have a truck ban during major events? Is it a bridge or something?

It's only during this event.  And it's not really the Girard Point Bridge that's the concern; it's the closeness of I-95 to the Wells Fargo Center. 

There were other travel restrictions in place for last year's papal visit, although the extent of that was way great than it needed to be.

And given what happened recently in Nice, it makes perfect sense. I'm staying far away from Philly and Cleveland this month, because I expect things to get nasty in both places.

Did you really have any plans to be in either city anyway?

And just to point out...the places where a lot of this unfortunate crap is happening isn't occurring in hotbed areas during major events.  Nice's truck rampage occurred *after* the event (when people are generally thankful everything went well), for example.  And many of the other issues in this country have taken place in areas that had nothing major going on.

No doubt there's going to be stuff happening during the political conventions, but that's pretty typical.  When Philly last hosted a convention (in 2000; the last one before 9/11), there was still a lot of tension.  Protestors blocked streets; stuff was hurled at police (including a bike that was tossed at the police commissioner who was standing side-by-side with his fellow officers).  It's just gotten a lot worse over the past month (unfortunate timing there...).
I was unexpectedly in Philly for three days during the convention - traffic was hellish. We ended up using SEPTA and was well worth the money. However we did get cut off while at the Barnes Foundation as there was an event that involved some delegates that I saw. Wasn't sure what it was.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 31, 2016, 06:38:55 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on July 31, 2016, 06:25:40 PM
Progress on the betsy ross bridge interchange on 95

http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri) (http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri))

FTFY.  Your link was bringing up a 404.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on July 31, 2016, 08:26:21 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on July 31, 2016, 06:38:55 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on July 31, 2016, 06:25:40 PM
Progress on the betsy ross bridge interchange on 95

http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri) (http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri))

FTFY.  Your link was bringing up a 404.

The link works for me.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on August 01, 2016, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on July 31, 2016, 06:38:55 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on July 31, 2016, 06:25:40 PM
Progress on the betsy ross bridge interchange on 95

http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri) (http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri))

FTFY.  Your link was bringing up a 404.


So that's asinine. WB 90 can get to Aramingo but not vice versa. All they had to do was build the original movements and be done with it. This is money wasted on unnecessary ramp reconfigurations.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: SteveG1988 on August 01, 2016, 08:42:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on August 01, 2016, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on July 31, 2016, 06:38:55 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on July 31, 2016, 06:25:40 PM
Progress on the betsy ross bridge interchange on 95

http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri) (http://www.95revive.com/i95/project-areas/bridge-street-interchange-to-betsy-ross-bridge-interchange-(bri))

FTFY.  Your link was bringing up a 404.


So that's asinine. WB 90 can get to Aramingo but not vice versa. All they had to do was build the original movements and be done with it. This is money wasted on unnecessary ramp reconfigurations.

I think someone got a bug in their butt about the stub ends, and decided to make it part of the project. But then some nimbys got involved, and made them go out of their way to make it complex to make everyone happy.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on August 01, 2016, 02:29:16 PM
So here's some notes about my little Philadelphia roadtrip:

-I-276 still has button copy signs. I noticed two at Exit 339 and Exit 3433

-The Scotchlite sign on Fox Street at US 1/Roosevelt Expressway is gone. I heard it was still there. I wasn't able to check out the button copy signage on US 1/13/Roosevelt Boulevard due to time.

-US 1 SB to I-76 EB still has a button copy sign. SB-WB does not.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on August 03, 2016, 03:10:38 PM
US 202 - new lanes now open between US 30 and PA 29...full 6 lanes between US 30 and I-76...

http://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/Pages/details.aspx?newsid=675
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on August 11, 2016, 03:39:25 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 01, 2016, 02:29:16 PM
So here's some notes about my little Philadelphia roadtrip:

-I-276 still has button copy signs. I noticed two at Exit 339 and Exit 3433

-The Scotchlite sign on Fox Street at US 1/Roosevelt Expressway is gone. I heard it was still there. I wasn't able to check out the button copy signage on US 1/13/Roosevelt Boulevard due to time.

-US 1 SB to I-76 EB still has a button copy sign. SB-WB does not.

This is still there you're saying?
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/399/19932898501_60348fcb5f_z.jpg)

and is this one still around?
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7603/16871288220_fdcb8ff070_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on August 11, 2016, 08:56:11 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on August 11, 2016, 03:39:25 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 01, 2016, 02:29:16 PM
So here's some notes about my little Philadelphia roadtrip:

-I-276 still has button copy signs. I noticed two at Exit 339 and Exit 3433

-The Scotchlite sign on Fox Street at US 1/Roosevelt Expressway is gone. I heard it was still there. I wasn't able to check out the button copy signage on US 1/13/Roosevelt Boulevard due to time.

-US 1 SB to I-76 EB still has a button copy sign. SB-WB does not.

This is still there you're saying?
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/399/19932898501_60348fcb5f_z.jpg)

and is this one still around?
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7603/16871288220_fdcb8ff070_z.jpg)
That one is still there. The other is gone.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 15, 2016, 04:37:24 PM
Part of the US 322 widening from US 1 (Phase 1 to Clayton Park) (http://www.southernchestercountyweeklies.com/article/SC/20160815/NEWS/160819985) is planned to begin next year.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on August 15, 2016, 08:42:21 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on August 15, 2016, 04:37:24 PM
Part of the US 322 widening from US 1 (Phase 1 to Clayton Park) (http://www.southernchestercountyweeklies.com/article/SC/20160815/NEWS/160819985) is planned to begin next year.

I grew up in an apartment complex 1/4 mile down Chichester Ave. from where it goes under 322, and I say:  About.  Freakin'.  Time!

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on August 16, 2016, 08:53:25 AM
Back when I was more involved with the DVRPC in the 90's and early 00's, there was a lot of discussion of this route.  And because of the makeup of the DVRPC being anti-car people, they all wanted more SEPTA coverage, bike paths, etc.   I'm not sure if they ever got more SEPTA buses there.  They certainly got more traffic though! 

Honestly, I'm surprised they are actually widening it.  It's about damn time!  The price is expensive, but it's not the easiest of roads to work with.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on August 16, 2016, 08:41:28 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 16, 2016, 08:53:25 AM
Back when I was more involved with the DVRPC in the 90's and early 00's, there was a lot of discussion of this route.  And because of the makeup of the DVRPC being anti-car people, they all wanted more SEPTA coverage, bike paths, etc.   I'm not sure if they ever got more SEPTA buses there.  They certainly got more traffic though! 

Honestly, I'm surprised they are actually widening it.  It's about damn time!  The price is expensive, but it's not the easiest of roads to work with.

SEPTA route 119 utilizes much of the Conchester corridor.

http://septa.org/schedules/bus/pdf/119.pdf

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on August 16, 2016, 09:27:30 PM
Quote from: ixnay on August 16, 2016, 08:41:28 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 16, 2016, 08:53:25 AM
Back when I was more involved with the DVRPC in the 90's and early 00's, there was a lot of discussion of this route.  And because of the makeup of the DVRPC being anti-car people, they all wanted more SEPTA coverage, bike paths, etc.   I'm not sure if they ever got more SEPTA buses there.  They certainly got more traffic though! 

Honestly, I'm surprised they are actually widening it.  It's about damn time!  The price is expensive, but it's not the easiest of roads to work with.

SEPTA route 119 utilizes much of the Conchester corridor.

http://septa.org/schedules/bus/pdf/119.pdf

ixnay

Yeah, that runs about once an hour. The fine folks at the DVRPC would prefer continous shuttle runs from everywhere to everywhere.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: epzik8 on August 17, 2016, 10:10:01 AM
I just went past I-76 Exit 339 the other day and can confirm the presence of that sign. I exited there because of a typical Schuylkill Mess.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on September 07, 2016, 12:23:33 PM
PennDOT's new highway gothic APL sign (https://goo.gl/maps/cSGk8sJxYty) on I-95 seems to be fully uncovered now, as the Blue Route exit now has an option lane. Has PennDOT been using the standard FHWA fonts on any other new signs?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: machias on September 07, 2016, 12:51:41 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 07, 2016, 12:23:33 PM
PennDOT's new highway gothic APL sign (https://goo.gl/maps/cSGk8sJxYty) on I-95 seems to be fully uncovered now, as the Blue Route exit now has an option lane. Has PennDOT been using the standard FHWA fonts on any other new signs?

Does PennDOT used SignCAD or GuidSIGN? There's a lack of spacing on either side of the Plymouth Mtg legend. Does an engineer have to make that happen or do the signing CAD programs just not put enough white space where they're suppose to?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on September 07, 2016, 03:26:12 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on September 07, 2016, 12:51:41 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 07, 2016, 12:23:33 PM
PennDOT's new highway gothic APL sign (https://goo.gl/maps/cSGk8sJxYty) on I-95 seems to be fully uncovered now, as the Blue Route exit now has an option lane. Has PennDOT been using the standard FHWA fonts on any other new signs?

Does PennDOT used SignCAD or GuidSIGN? There's a lack of spacing on either side of the Plymouth Mtg legend. Does an engineer have to make that happen or do the signing CAD programs just not put enough white space where they're suppose to?
IMHO, the oddball spacing of the 476 numerals is more of an issue than the minimal margins for the Plymouth Mtg. spacing.  It's quite possible that the BGS, APL & all, was originally sized for the 2-line Plymouth Meeting listing that's shown on surrounding BGS' in the area but was changed at the last minute (after the panel was fabricated).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on September 07, 2016, 07:00:24 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on September 07, 2016, 12:51:41 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 07, 2016, 12:23:33 PM
PennDOT's new highway gothic APL sign (https://goo.gl/maps/cSGk8sJxYty) on I-95 seems to be fully uncovered now, as the Blue Route exit now has an option lane. Has PennDOT been using the standard FHWA fonts on any other new signs?

Does PennDOT used SignCAD or GuidSIGN? There's a lack of spacing on either side of the Plymouth Mtg legend. Does an engineer have to make that happen or do the signing CAD programs just not put enough white space where they're suppose to?
GuidSIGN puts too much spacing around and generally scuffs up the MUTCD however it feels. It takes by-hand engineering with compromises to come up with crappy spacing. I can also tell you that at least for GuidSIGN, you won't find support for APL.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on September 10, 2016, 08:35:24 AM
Quote from: amroad17 on September 10, 2016, 06:02:45 AM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 07, 2016, 12:23:33 PM
PennDOT's new highway gothic APL sign (https://goo.gl/maps/cSGk8sJxYty) on I-95 seems to be fully uncovered now, as the Blue Route exit now has an option lane. Has PennDOT been using the standard FHWA fonts on any other new signs?
Still won't add Allentown or Scranton to the sign, will they?

At that point, no reason to.  Few people are heading to those two cities from 95. Plymouth Meeting is an appropriate destination.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: mariethefoxy on September 10, 2016, 03:01:40 PM
this mean PennDOT has stopped using Clearview on new signs?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 10, 2016, 03:25:32 PM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on September 10, 2016, 03:01:40 PM
this mean PennDOT has stopped using Clearview on new signs?

No there's probably quite a few already produced that haven't been put yet. Case in point, there's some new signage going up in the 95/Betsy Ross Bridge interchange that uses Clearview.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on September 10, 2016, 10:55:06 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on September 10, 2016, 03:25:32 PM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on September 10, 2016, 03:01:40 PM
this mean PennDOT has stopped using Clearview on new signs?

No there's probably quite a few already produced that haven't been put yet. Case in point, there's some new signage going up in the 95/Betsy Ross Bridge interchange that uses Clearview.
additionally, the new approach signs for I-95 Exit 30 SB (no more mention of Rhawn St, just PA 73 / Cottman Ave) are in Clearview. just like anywhere else that was using Clearview, any signs already in the pipeline will be manufactured and installed as originally ordered.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on September 11, 2016, 06:51:47 AM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on September 10, 2016, 03:01:40 PM
this mean PennDOT has stopped using Clearview on new signs?

The Feds discontinued all states from using Clearview.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on September 12, 2016, 08:51:13 AM
Saw some replacement D1 (LGS) assemblies along US 1 southbound at the PA 352 interchange near the former-Granite Run Mall.  No Clearview fonts at all; just mixed-cased Series C for 2 of the signs and mixed-case Series D for the other (Chester 5) sign above the SOUTH 352 trailblazer assembly.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: KEVIN_224 on September 24, 2016, 06:00:13 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160925_Amtrak_s_slow_ride_to_Pittsburgh.html

Philly.com comparing why it takes Amtrak so long to get between Philadelphia towards Pittsburgh, comparing it to the Turnpike and a short flight.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: cl94 on September 24, 2016, 06:11:48 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on September 24, 2016, 06:00:13 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160925_Amtrak_s_slow_ride_to_Pittsburgh.html

Philly.com comparing why it takes Amtrak so long to get between Philadelphia towards Pittsburgh, comparing it to the Turnpike and a short flight.

It's true. Terrain through that area is a bitch and the train can rarely get much above 45-50.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on September 27, 2016, 02:11:32 PM


Schuylkill Expressway News:

PennDOT Plan Seeks To Improve Travel Between King of Prussia and Philadelphia by Road, Rail and Trail
http://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/Pages/details.aspx?newsid=799

From Release:
QuoteInitially, PennDOT will advance an early-action project to install variable speed limits and queue detectors on I-76 between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange at Valley Forge and U.S. 1 (City Avenue) to smooth traffic and enhance safety. Construction is expected to start in late 2017, with the systems becoming operational by late 2018. The construction estimate is $2.2 million.

QuoteIn addition, PennDOT will start preliminary engineering this fall to transform the outside shoulders of I-76 into part-time travel lanes between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange at Valley Forge and Interstate 476, and on I-76 west between U.S. 1/Roosevelt Boulevard and Belmont Avenue interchanges. 

QuotePennDOT also will examine part-time shoulder use on I-76 east of the I-476 Interchange when more funds are identified in the future.

QuoteTo complement part-time shoulder use on I-76, PennDOT may include these additional ATM strategies: 
- Ramp Metering: Red and green traffic signals to control the frequency with which vehicles enter the flow of traffic from entrance ramps to increase vehicle throughput during peak hours and increase expressway speeds;   
- Junction Control: The use of overhead electronic signs over travel lanes to regulate or close lanes at merge areas to improve traffic flow at high volume interchanges, including U.S. 202/U.S. 422, I-476 and U.S. 1 north and south. It establishes lane priority at interchanges and makes shoulders available for use. This strategy can change based on the relative demand on the mainline and ramps during different hours of the day;
- Dynamic Lane Assignments: Overhead electronic signs provide information for each travel lane on the expressway to identify open lanes and alert drivers of upcoming lane closures due to crashes or disabled vehicles;
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on September 27, 2016, 02:31:23 PM
Unfortunately, a key part of the shoulder opening:

QuoteConstruction is expected to start in approximately five years.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: KEVIN_224 on February 27, 2017, 08:02:41 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/Report-Mayor-Kenney-plans-waterfront-park-over-capped-I-95.html

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's mayor wants to put a big park over I-95 to reconnect Center City with the Delaware River waterfront.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 10:47:19 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on February 27, 2017, 08:02:41 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/Report-Mayor-Kenney-plans-waterfront-park-over-capped-I-95.html

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's mayor wants to put a big park over I-95 to reconnect Center City with the Delaware River waterfront.

If it follows dreams from dreams past, this project will probably die a quick death by March.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on February 28, 2017, 06:29:45 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 10:47:19 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on February 27, 2017, 08:02:41 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/Report-Mayor-Kenney-plans-waterfront-park-over-capped-I-95.html

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's mayor wants to put a big park over I-95 to reconnect Center City with the Delaware River waterfront.

If it follows dreams from dreams past, this project will probably die a quick death by March.
I don't think it will this time. Since everyone is concerned with freeway removal or freeway capping, this could happen.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 28, 2017, 09:31:17 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on February 28, 2017, 06:29:45 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 10:47:19 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on February 27, 2017, 08:02:41 PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/Report-Mayor-Kenney-plans-waterfront-park-over-capped-I-95.html
Meanwhile, Philadelphia's mayor wants to put a big park over I-95 to reconnect Center City with the Delaware River waterfront.
If it follows dreams from dreams past, this project will probably die a quick death by March.
I don't think it will this time. Since everyone is concerned with freeway removal or freeway capping, this could happen.
A few things to note:

1.  The stretch of I-95 in question carries 120,000 vehicles per day (based on PennDOT's 2013 traffic counts).  That said, removal is not a viable option.  Like it or not, I-95 in this area does serve a purpose; especially from a commerce standpoint.  (I realize I'm mostly preaching to the choir with this one)

2.  Where's the money/funding to build this going to come from?  Since this project would involve working on I-95 itself, to build the support structure; a portion of the project would technically be eligible for federal funds (for the support structure only).

3.  Forgetting the politics & current political climate for the moment (that alone could make or break receiving federal funding); this project is basically a beautification project and not an infrastructure upgrade (i.e. I-95 is not being widened).  Such may not be viewed as a high-priority project unless the highway itself was crumbling and/or hopelessly gridlocked.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on February 28, 2017, 02:42:51 PM
it should be noted that a similar project is currently under construction over I-676 (the Vine St Expressway), so it's not without precedent.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 28, 2017, 02:55:33 PM
Quote from: odditude on February 28, 2017, 02:42:51 PMit should be noted that a similar project is currently under construction over I-676 (the Vine St Expressway), so it's not without precedent.
If it's the project I'm thinking of; such involves a reconstruction/rehabilitation of the overpasses west of Broad St. (PA 611)... many of which were built during the 1950s as part of the original Vine Expressway construction.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on February 28, 2017, 02:58:25 PM
Quote from: odditude on February 28, 2017, 02:42:51 PM
it should be noted that a similar project is currently under construction over I-676 (the Vine St Expressway), so it's not without precedent.

The I-676 project is replacing bridges (17th St through 23rd St bridges) which are at the end of their useful life...and as part of that project, is "filling in" spaces between some of those bridges...so the end results brings added park space in that area. 

The Penns' Landing project, I believe, is a brand new structure over I-95 and definitely a new structure over Columbus Blvd, so it's slightly different.  This has been discussed at least a decade now. I personally would like to see it...but funding of course is the question.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 20, 2017, 04:49:07 PM
Preliminary work has started on the first phase of widening US 322 from US 1 to I-95.
(http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/03/20/route-322-roadwork/) (from CBS Philly)
QuotePennDOT's Gene Blaum says the first half of the project to widen it to four lanes stretches from Route 1 to just beyond the Featherbed Lane/Mattson Road intersection.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on June 09, 2017, 03:11:10 PM
Governor Wolf Joins Philadelphia Officials for Funding Announcement on I-95

http://www.penndot.gov/pages/all-news-details.aspx?newsid=344 (http://www.penndot.gov/pages/all-news-details.aspx?newsid=344)


QuoteOver the next decade, an upcoming phase of the reconstruction project is a $3 billion to $4 billion investment to rebuild the five-mile stretch, a portion already below ground but mostly on viaduct, between I-676 and Broad Street in South Philadelphia, but all of which impacts the city's connection to the Delaware River. On the north end of this section, at Penn's Landing, a new and expanded cap over I-95 will reconnect Penn's Landing to the city. On the south end of this section, the reconstruction project will improve access to the growing Philadelphia port complex.

The state, city, and foundation will partner on underwriting the $225 million cost of replacing and expanding the existing cap over I-95 and Christopher Columbus Boulevard. The project would extend the cap beyond the current boundaries between Chestnut and Walnut streets and extend it over Columbus Boulevard.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on June 26, 2017, 04:13:25 PM
I saw a post on FB that these signs were still there at the US-1/PA-132 interchange in Bensalem.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/445/19795439230_41cc3d929b_c.jpg)

I'm hoping these are still there as well:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/506/19764937190_e9b897ae1d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/w7yte9)Original non-reflective button copy. US-1 at PA-320. Springfield, PA. Date on sign says 1975. (https://flic.kr/p/w7yte9) by mergingtraffic (https://www.flickr.com/photos/98731835@N05/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 26, 2017, 05:43:41 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on June 26, 2017, 04:13:25 PM
I'm hoping these are still there as well:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/506/19764937190_e9b897ae1d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/w7yte9)
Original non-reflective button copy. US-1 at PA-320. Springfield, PA. Date on sign says 1975. (https://flic.kr/p/w7yte9) by mergingtraffic (https://www.flickr.com/photos/98731835@N05/), on Flickr
Those are still there.  That structure's about 3 miles from where I reside.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on June 26, 2017, 08:05:57 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 26, 2017, 05:43:41 PM
Those are still there.  That structure's about 3 miles from where I reside.

Looking at GSV, a lot of the non-reflective button copy has disappeared around Philly in the last couple of years.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 13, 2017, 10:27:23 AM
Driving up the Blue Route this morning, I see PennDOT is installing new high visibility mile markers along the portion of the road that doesn't already have them (south of 76).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 13, 2017, 06:49:12 PM
This (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8916919,-75.2347672,3a,35.3y,304.08h,116.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLx5YoKOyIJ5_M7CWsvXR8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) pretty old button copy sign down by Philly International Airport is no more.

It has been replaced by this nice looking sign:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35097560973_570094220f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B)2017-07-13_06-40-19 (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr

I'm glad they added the yellow left tab cause I've lost count of how many times I've seen people trying get on 95 South get confused as to what lane they need to be in and almost cause accidents as a result.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: thenetwork on July 13, 2017, 09:27:56 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 13, 2017, 06:49:12 PM
This (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8916919,-75.2347672,3a,35.3y,304.08h,116.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLx5YoKOyIJ5_M7CWsvXR8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) pretty old button copy sign down by Philly International Airport is no more.

It has been replaced by this nice looking sign:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35097560973_570094220f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B)2017-07-13_06-40-19 (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr

I'm glad they added the yellow left tab cause I've lost count of how many times I've seen people trying get on 95 South get confused as to what lane they need to be in and almost cause accidents as a result.

That sign also.belongs in the Department of Redundancy Department.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 14, 2017, 06:04:39 AM
Quote from: thenetwork on July 13, 2017, 09:27:56 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 13, 2017, 06:49:12 PM
This (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8916919,-75.2347672,3a,35.3y,304.08h,116.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLx5YoKOyIJ5_M7CWsvXR8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) pretty old button copy sign down by Philly International Airport is no more.

It has been replaced by this nice looking sign:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35097560973_570094220f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B)2017-07-13_06-40-19 (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr

I'm glad they added the yellow left tab cause I've lost count of how many times I've seen people trying get on 95 South get confused as to what lane they need to be in and almost cause accidents as a result.

That sign also.belongs in the Department of Redundancy Department.

Nothing wrong with this redundancy though. 

What I wished they did was add the airport to the BGS somehow, rather than just use the ultra-small sign on the post.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on July 14, 2017, 08:59:56 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 14, 2017, 06:04:39 AM
Quote from: thenetwork on July 13, 2017, 09:27:56 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 13, 2017, 06:49:12 PM
This (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8916919,-75.2347672,3a,35.3y,304.08h,116.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLx5YoKOyIJ5_M7CWsvXR8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) pretty old button copy sign down by Philly International Airport is no more.

It has been replaced by this nice looking sign:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35097560973_570094220f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B)2017-07-13_06-40-19 (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr

I'm glad they added the yellow left tab cause I've lost count of how many times I've seen people trying get on 95 South get confused as to what lane they need to be in and almost cause accidents as a result.

That sign also.belongs in the Department of Redundancy Department.

Nothing wrong with this redundancy though. 

What I wished they did was add the airport to the BGS somehow, rather than just use the ultra-small sign on the post.
The old sign dates back to 1985, when that stretch of I-95 (aka the missing link) first opened.

It appears that only the sign was replaced (& a match-in-kind in terms of the legend aside from the LEFT tab) and not the gantry & the small supplemental TO AIRPORT NEXT LEFT sign.  I do agree w/you that Airport should've been included on the ramp sign legend (either in addition to or instead of Chester).

Incidentally, PennDOT has been adding supplemental yellow LEFT tabs on existing left-lane exit ramp signage that didn't have such.  The northbound signage for I-676 (Exit 22) and the southbound signage for Columbus Blvd. (Exit 20) now have these yellow LEFT tabs (w/no black border).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 14, 2017, 10:05:57 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 14, 2017, 08:59:56 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 14, 2017, 06:04:39 AM
Quote from: thenetwork on July 13, 2017, 09:27:56 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 13, 2017, 06:49:12 PM
This (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8916919,-75.2347672,3a,35.3y,304.08h,116.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLx5YoKOyIJ5_M7CWsvXR8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) pretty old button copy sign down by Philly International Airport is no more.

It has been replaced by this nice looking sign:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35097560973_570094220f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B)2017-07-13_06-40-19 (https://flic.kr/p/Vtsb6B) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr

I'm glad they added the yellow left tab cause I've lost count of how many times I've seen people trying get on 95 South get confused as to what lane they need to be in and almost cause accidents as a result.

That sign also.belongs in the Department of Redundancy Department.

Nothing wrong with this redundancy though. 

What I wished they did was add the airport to the BGS somehow, rather than just use the ultra-small sign on the post.
The old sign dates back to 1985, when that stretch of I-95 (aka the missing link) first opened.

It appears that only the sign was replaced (& a match-in-kind in terms of the legend aside from the LEFT tab) and not the gantry & the small supplemental TO AIRPORT NEXT LEFT sign.  I do agree w/you that Airport should've been included on the ramp sign legend (either in addition to or instead of Chester).

Yeah I'm pretty sure that little sign dates back to when the Airport gobbled up the old Industrial Highway to expand a runway sending PA 291 over to Bartram Av. I think a TO [PHL Logo] and an "Airport" control over "Chester" would have worked here.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: CapeCodder on August 13, 2017, 12:02:40 PM
When 95 is routed onto the PA turnpike, what will the current 95 from 276-NJ be numbered? I would assume it would be an extension of I-295, but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on August 13, 2017, 10:32:13 PM
Quote from: CapeCodder on August 13, 2017, 12:02:40 PM
When 95 is routed onto the PA turnpike, what will the current 95 from 276-NJ be numbered? I would assume it would be an extension of I-295, but I could be wrong.

Correct. 295 will wrap around Trenton to the PA Turnpike.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 10, 2017, 05:12:18 PM
Took my life into my hands and took a drive down Roosevelt Blvd and slowly but surely, the non reflective button copy signs that have been a fixture on this road are being replaced. This one for the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge for example:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4412/37151823005_ae46642d1c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/YAYNCv)20170909_204941~2 (https://flic.kr/p/YAYNCv) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr

There's a few others that have been replaced recently as well that I couldn't get pictures of.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on September 10, 2017, 06:29:51 PM
At least the new ones are post-Clearview, unlike the ones replaced along Woodhaven Road. Speaking of, were those signs on Woodhaven replaced by PennDOT or the city? I know the reason they got so bad was because each agency was arguing over who didn't have to replace them.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: qguy on September 10, 2017, 09:43:12 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on September 10, 2017, 05:12:18 PM
Took my life into my hands and took a drive down Roosevelt Blvd...

Tenderfoot! (sheesh) My heart bleeds for ya.  :-D

I lived near the road for 23 years. There was I time I commuted daily on it. Meh, it's city driving.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on September 11, 2017, 08:54:56 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on September 10, 2017, 05:12:18 PM
Took my life into my hands and took a drive down Roosevelt Blvd and slowly but surely, the non reflective button copy signs that have been a fixture on this road are being replaced. This one for the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge for example:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4412/37151823005_ae46642d1c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/YAYNCv)20170909_204941~2 (https://flic.kr/p/YAYNCv) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
That's not a bad-looking sign.

Quote from: Roadsguy on September 10, 2017, 06:29:51 PMAt least the new ones are post-Clearview, unlike the ones replaced along Woodhaven Road.
Such is largely due to those replacement signs were already in the pipeline when the decision to pull the plug on the Clearview font was made; and, hence, grandfathered in.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 11, 2017, 10:20:18 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on September 11, 2017, 08:54:56 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on September 10, 2017, 05:12:18 PM
Took my life into my hands and took a drive down Roosevelt Blvd and slowly but surely, the non reflective button copy signs that have been a fixture on this road are being replaced. This one for the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge for example:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4412/37151823005_ae46642d1c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/YAYNCv)20170909_204941~2 (https://flic.kr/p/YAYNCv) by ekt8750 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131212985@N03/), on Flickr
That's not a bad-looking sign.

Nope. In general the signs District 6 has been putting up since Clearview was yanked, have been pretty nice.

QuoteSuch is largely due to those replacement signs were already in the pipeline when the decision to pull the plug on the Clearview font was made; and, hence, grandfathered in.

Sadly that goes for the signage going up at the Betsy Ross Bridge interchange and extension. Those are some gross looking signs with Clearview that's poorly kerned, shields which are badly missized. I'm pretty sure they were done by a contractor that didn't give a shit.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on October 13, 2017, 12:25:17 PM
Shoulder running coming to The Blue Route and I-95 in Delco:

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Blue-Route-Interstate-95-Shoulder-Driving-PennDOT-450780673.html

Quote"Constrained resources restrict our ability to add capacity to Philadelphia area expressways, but that does not mean we can't look at ways such as dynamic part-time shoulder use to alleviate the congestion," Richards said. "This technique is in use across the nation and has been shown to be a safe and effective way to improve traffic flow."

Translation: "Although we could easily add those two missing lanes to the Blue Route, we can't afford it so here's the next best thing."
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on October 13, 2017, 12:59:08 PM
Philly.com indicated it will be 4 years before construction begins.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/penndots-fix-for-traffic-jams-on-the-blue-route-and-i-95-let-drivers-use-the-shoulders-20171013.html

QuoteIt will likely be four years before the design for the changes is complete, PennDot officials said. Construction would follow.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 13, 2017, 01:28:03 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on October 13, 2017, 12:59:08 PM
Philly.com indicated it will be 4 years before construction begins.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/penndots-fix-for-traffic-jams-on-the-blue-route-and-i-95-let-drivers-use-the-shoulders-20171013.html

QuoteIt will likely be four years before the design for the changes is complete, PennDot officials said. Construction would follow.
IIRC, such has been talked about for over 20 years.  Better late than never.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on October 13, 2017, 01:58:15 PM
I recall some coverage a few years ago that had one of the people that led the 2-lane I-476 compromise to backtrack and say they should build out the shoulders -- PennDOT basically said no. Will try to do a better search when I get the chance to...

It will be interesting to see southbound how it works with the semi-joke of a truck-climbing lane, which lasts for less than a mile; ignored by truckers; and forces a merge before the US1 interchange. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman on October 13, 2017, 02:01:25 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 13, 2017, 01:28:03 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on October 13, 2017, 12:59:08 PM
Philly.com indicated it will be 4 years before construction begins.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/penndots-fix-for-traffic-jams-on-the-blue-route-and-i-95-let-drivers-use-the-shoulders-20171013.html

QuoteIt will likely be four years before the design for the changes is complete, PennDot officials said. Construction would follow.
IIRC, such has been talked about for over 20 years.  Better late than never.
If the intent is peak hour use only (as is the norm in other places), it shouldn't take four years of design work.  IIRC, the I-93 Wilmington (MA) to Methuen peak-hour shoulder (aka breakdown lane) use implementation - which was a full build design, including proper turnout areas, that covered just under 20 miles of physical shoulder (breakdown lane) that was converted - took just over two years from start of design to completion of the work.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on October 13, 2017, 06:10:36 PM
Quote from: roadman on October 13, 2017, 02:01:25 PM
If the intent is peak hour use only (as is the norm in other places), it shouldn't take four years of design work.  IIRC, the I-93 Wilmington (MA) to Methuen peak-hour shoulder (aka breakdown lane) use implementation - which was a full build design, including proper turnout areas, that covered just under 20 miles of physical shoulder (breakdown lane) that was converted - took just over two years from start of design to completion of the work.

It's PA, so I can believe it. No money for anything anywhere.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on November 16, 2017, 08:14:38 PM
This sign still around?
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0231093,-75.0373319,3a,75y,219.82h,84.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sweQjqeGlN4sEjIzbUfuJUg!2e0!5s20161101T000000!7i13312!8i6656

and the ones on Passyunk Ave still up too?
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9203188,-75.1993596,3a,75y,73.09h,94.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSpVbA1Zkxh7rwUIZ3PySbw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on November 17, 2017, 09:59:42 AM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on November 16, 2017, 08:14:38 PM
This sign still around?
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0231093,-75.0373319,3a,75y,219.82h,84.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sweQjqeGlN4sEjIzbUfuJUg!2e0!5s20161101T000000!7i13312!8i6656

and the ones on Passyunk Ave still up too?
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9203188,-75.1993596,3a,75y,73.09h,94.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSpVbA1Zkxh7rwUIZ3PySbw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The State Road sign is long gone. The Passyunk Av signs are still around and in great condition which is ironic given that they're outside an oil refinery.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on June 06, 2018, 10:52:54 AM
PennDOT to Expand I-476 Ramp Meter Hours in Delaware County to Improve Travel and Safety

http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/PENNDOT-Details.aspx?newsid=367 (http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/PENNDOT-Details.aspx?newsid=367)

QuoteBeginning Monday, June 18, ramp meter hours at the following seven ramps will be operational weekdays from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM and weekends from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM:


- Route 3 East (West Chester Pike) ramp to I-476 South in Marple Township;
- Route 3 West (West Chester Pike) ramp to I-476 South in Marple Township;
- U.S. 1 ramp to I-476 South in Marple Township;
- U.S. 1 ramp to I-476 North in Marple Township;
- Baltimore Pike ramp to I-476 North in Nether Providence Township;
- Baltimore Pike ramp to I-476 South in Nether Providence Township; and
- MacDade Boulevard ramp to I-476 North in Ridley Township.

This would be the four lane section...
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on June 06, 2018, 09:38:11 PM
Quote from: jemacedo9 on June 06, 2018, 10:52:54 AM
PennDOT to Expand I-476 Ramp Meter Hours in Delaware County to Improve Travel and Safety

http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/PENNDOT-Details.aspx?newsid=367 (http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/PENNDOT-Details.aspx?newsid=367)

QuoteBeginning Monday, June 18, ramp meter hours at the following seven ramps will be operational weekdays from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM and weekends from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM:


- Route 3 East (West Chester Pike) ramp to I-476 South in Marple Township;
- Route 3 West (West Chester Pike) ramp to I-476 South in Marple Township;
- U.S. 1 ramp to I-476 South in Marple Township;
- U.S. 1 ramp to I-476 North in Marple Township;
- Baltimore Pike ramp to I-476 North in Nether Providence Township;
- Baltimore Pike ramp to I-476 South in Nether Providence Township; and
- MacDade Boulevard ramp to I-476 North in Ridley Township.

This would be the four lane section...

This makes sense, because that section often backs up on weekends too.  Guess all those NIMBYs in Swarthmore like breathing exhaust fumes that come from the gridlock that arose from not having those extra lanes.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 06, 2018, 11:13:34 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on June 06, 2018, 09:38:11 PM

Guess all those NIMBYs in Swarthmore like breathing exhaust fumes that come from the gridlock that arose from not having those extra lanes.

The highway opened in 1991. I'm sure quite a number of people there now weren't the nimbys fighting it over 27 years ago. They're just unfortunately dealing with the aftermath.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on June 07, 2018, 07:57:49 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 06, 2018, 11:13:34 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on June 06, 2018, 09:38:11 PM

Guess all those NIMBYs in Swarthmore like breathing exhaust fumes that come from the gridlock that arose from not having those extra lanes.

The highway opened in 1991. I'm sure quite a number of people there now weren't the nimbys fighting it over 27 years ago. They're just unfortunately dealing with the aftermath.

Main Line (Radnor and Lower Merion Townships) NIMBYs fought the Blue Route in the '70s.  When they gave up, the Swarthmore NIMBYs took over.

Don't know about the Cardinal O'Hara parents' NIMBYism... :confused:

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 07, 2018, 09:04:56 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 06, 2018, 11:13:34 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on June 06, 2018, 09:38:11 PM

Guess all those NIMBYs in Swarthmore like breathing exhaust fumes that come from the gridlock that arose from not having those extra lanes.

The highway opened in 1991. I'm sure quite a number of people there now weren't the nimbys fighting it over 27 years ago. They're just unfortunately dealing with the aftermath.
Yes and no.  Having driven through there on a regular basis; there are still plenty of seasoned residents of Swarthmore that were around during and participated in those Blue Route protests.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Drove down I-676 last night  and all new signs have been hung up on the rebuilt portion west of Broad St. On the east end with the interchange with I-95, all of the signs for 95 have had their Trenton controls replaced with New York by greenouts which leads me to the new sign for I-95 that was put up on 676 East coming off of I-76. Whoever designed the sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 07, 2018, 12:08:20 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Drove down I-676 last night  and all new signs have been hung up on the rebuilt portion west of Broad St. On the east end with the interchange with I-95, all of the signs for 95 have had their Trenton controls replaced with New York by greenouts which leads me to the new sign for I-95 that was put up on 676 East coming off of I-76. Whoever designed the sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.
I mentioned similar on the I-95/PA Turnpike interchange thread and I'll repeat here.

Guess on my part, the replacing Trenton with New York signs for those ramps signs may have been a more recent development/last-minute (& unnecessary IMHO) change.  In theory/principle, the continuation of using Trenton for those I-95 northbound signs up the new interchange would've still been valid because the Delaware Expressway (at least up to the US 1 Morrisville/Langhorne interchange) is still the quickest way for one to get to Trenton from Center City.  A Trenton/New York control city combo would've been a more appropriate sign change/update.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadgeek2500 on June 07, 2018, 12:17:48 PM
Quote from: ixnay on June 07, 2018, 07:57:49 AM

Don't know about the Cardinal O'Hara parents' NIMBYism... :confused:

ixnay

This is the essential question. I'm surprised they were able to shoehorn 476 in there, but in the end all O'Hara lost was some parking space. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on June 07, 2018, 12:41:10 PM
Speaking of ramp meters, PennDOT just announced the start of smart traffic systems for I-76 between King of Prussia and US 1.  The first phase will take about a year (plus 6 months of testing) and involves variable speed limits and queue detection/warning.  The shoulder lanes and ramp meters will come later.

There's now a website for the project

http://transform76.com/
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 07, 2018, 01:19:51 PM
Quote from: Roadgeek2500 on June 07, 2018, 12:17:48 PM
Quote from: ixnay on June 07, 2018, 07:57:49 AMDon't know about the Cardinal O'Hara parents' NIMBYism... :confused:

ixnay
This is the essential question. I'm surprised they were able to shoehorn 476 in there, but in the end all O'Hara lost was some parking space. 
Original plans for that area included an interchange with PA 320.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 12:52:51 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Drove down I-676 last night  and all new signs have been hung up on the rebuilt portion west of Broad St. On the east end with the interchange with I-95, all of the signs for 95 have had their Trenton controls replaced with New York by greenouts which leads me to the new sign for I-95 that was put up on 676 East coming off of I-76. Whoever designed the sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.
Is 676 still signed as an "exit"  when it goes down to the lights?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 08, 2018, 06:16:21 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Whoever designed the (95) sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.

I've seen this quite often in NJ where two overlapping projects have no coordination whatsoever.  The two project teams might as well have been in different countries.  You would think that at some point along a project's design, someone in DOT would've said "Hey, why are we still using 'Trenton' on this sign?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on June 08, 2018, 09:58:19 AM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 12:52:51 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Drove down I-676 last night  and all new signs have been hung up on the rebuilt portion west of Broad St. On the east end with the interchange with I-95, all of the signs for 95 have had their Trenton controls replaced with New York by greenouts which leads me to the new sign for I-95 that was put up on 676 East coming off of I-76. Whoever designed the sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.
Is 676 still signed as an "exit"  when it goes down to the lights?

Technically yes. There's no exit tab on the BGS as 676 doesn't have numbered exits in PA but yeah there's still a gore sign there.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 08, 2018, 11:44:37 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 08, 2018, 06:16:21 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Whoever designed the (95) sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.

I've seen this quite often in NJ where two overlapping projects have no coordination whatsoever.  The two project teams might as well have been in different countries.  You would think that at some point along a project's design, someone in DOT would've said "Hey, why are we still using 'Trenton' on this sign?
A couple of things:

1.  Those I-95 ramps signs along I-676 are the original ones that date back to the opening of the eastern portion of the Vine Expressway circa 1991 (the signs themselves were actually erected circa 1990 prior to the highway opening with the ones nearest to active roadways being covered).

2.  As previously stated, and forgive me for sounding like a broken record, the decision to replace the Trenton legends with New York ones was likely made very recently.  The original thought was since the highway itself, the Delaware Expressway, will still be the main access from Center City to the Trenton area regardless of the highway changing numbers along the way (due to the I-95 rerouting); why change it (or provide wider spacings on signs)?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 08, 2018, 11:49:49 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 08, 2018, 11:44:37 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 08, 2018, 06:16:21 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Whoever designed the (95) sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.

I've seen this quite often in NJ where two overlapping projects have no coordination whatsoever.  The two project teams might as well have been in different countries.  You would think that at some point along a project's design, someone in DOT would've said "Hey, why are we still using 'Trenton' on this sign?
A couple of things:

1.  Those I-95 ramps signs along I-676 are the original ones that date back to the opening of the eastern portion of the Vine Expressway circa 1991 (the signs themselves were actually erected circa 1990 prior to the highway opening with the ones nearest to active roadways being covered).

2.  As previously stated, and forgive me for sounding like a broken record, the decision to replace the Trenton legends with New York ones was likely made very recently.  The original thought was since the highway itself, the Delaware Expressway, will still be the main access from Center City to the Trenton area regardless of the highway changing numbers along the way (due to the I-95 rerouting); why change it (or provide wider spacings on signs)?

The way ekt8750 put it, they were brand new signs just installed.  If they were 17 year old signs, then yeah there would be no reason to have forethought for such a signage change.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 08, 2018, 11:58:55 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 08, 2018, 11:49:49 AMThe way ekt8750 put it, they were brand new signs just installed.  If they were 17 year old signs, then yeah there would be no reason to have forethought for such a signage change.
Trust me, those I-95 signs along I-676 and 7th Street are indeed the original 1990-91 vintage signs that just had New York masked over Trenton.

Personally, this BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9569677,-75.1449269,3a,75y,105.41h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sltNPYofT8lhAp21kEzFCxQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) would've been a prime candidate for my Trenton - New York control city pair recommendation (such would have to be placed horizontally (there's room) rather than the traditional vertical stack).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 02:04:48 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 08, 2018, 09:58:19 AM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 12:52:51 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Drove down I-676 last night  and all new signs have been hung up on the rebuilt portion west of Broad St. On the east end with the interchange with I-95, all of the signs for 95 have had their Trenton controls replaced with New York by greenouts which leads me to the new sign for I-95 that was put up on 676 East coming off of I-76. Whoever designed the sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.
Is 676 still signed as an "exit"  when it goes down to the lights?

Technically yes. There's no exit tab on the BGS as 676 doesn't have numbered exits in PA but yeah there's still a gore sign there.
True but with the old signs it was signed as "exit only" on the BGSs as well instead of like a split. I was wondering if the new signage has 676 is still an "exit only". TBH I wonder how many people in the area (I dont know too many philly people compared to NY or DC) even realize 676 continues into NJ
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 08, 2018, 02:24:19 PM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 02:04:48 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 08, 2018, 09:58:19 AM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 12:52:51 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Drove down I-676 last night  and all new signs have been hung up on the rebuilt portion west of Broad St. On the east end with the interchange with I-95, all of the signs for 95 have had their Trenton controls replaced with New York by greenouts which leads me to the new sign for I-95 that was put up on 676 East coming off of I-76. Whoever designed the sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.
Is 676 still signed as an “exit” when it goes down to the lights?

Technically yes. There's no exit tab on the BGS as 676 doesn't have numbered exits in PA but yeah there's still a gore sign there.
True but with the old signs it was signed as "exit only" on the BGSs as well instead of like a split. I was wondering if the new signage has 676 is still an "exit only". TBH I wonder how many people in the area (I dont know too many philly people compared to NY or DC) even realize 676 continues into NJ

I think a lot do because I-676 is about 5 or 6 miles long in NJ, fully signed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on June 08, 2018, 06:30:03 PM
Yeah the signs at the I-95 interchange are still the original one with New York greenouts placed over the Trenton lettering. That said, the sign they put up on the rebuilt 23rd St overpass for I-95 reads "Trenton/Chester" even though it should have been redesigned before it was manufactured.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on June 08, 2018, 06:31:47 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 08, 2018, 02:24:19 PM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 02:04:48 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 08, 2018, 09:58:19 AM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on June 08, 2018, 12:52:51 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on June 07, 2018, 11:53:30 AM
Drove down I-676 last night  and all new signs have been hung up on the rebuilt portion west of Broad St. On the east end with the interchange with I-95, all of the signs for 95 have had their Trenton controls replaced with New York by greenouts which leads me to the new sign for I-95 that was put up on 676 East coming off of I-76. Whoever designed the sign had no forethought at all for the completion of 95 as it lists controls for Trenton and Chester instead of New York.
Is 676 still signed as an "exit"  when it goes down to the lights?

Technically yes. There's no exit tab on the BGS as 676 doesn't have numbered exits in PA but yeah there's still a gore sign there.
True but with the old signs it was signed as "exit only" on the BGSs as well instead of like a split. I was wondering if the new signage has 676 is still an "exit only". TBH I wonder how many people in the area (I dont know too many philly people compared to NY or DC) even realize 676 continues into NJ

I think a lot do because I-676 is about 5 or 6 miles long in NJ, fully signed.

That and PennDOT does sign 6th St as I-676 and US 30 as does DRPA with the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: tckma on June 26, 2018, 07:35:22 PM
Howdy!  Not new to roadgeeking, but perhaps new to the PA Forum Topic.  Maybe I posted here a few years ago, maybe not.

Anyhow... back story... I got laid off at the end of March.  I found a new job (actually two new jobs, but that's a longer story... one starts after the other ends, basically).

This job is short-term contract work.  During the work week, I'll be staying at a hotel in the Philadelphia area, and the job is in King of Prussia.  I'll be home in Maryland on weekends.  This will be for, at most, one year.

I started the job on Monday.

The hotel I have chosen for this week necessitates what I thought was a reverse commute on the PA Turnpike.  I noticed something funny over the 2 round-trips I made from KoP to my hotel.  There's a road -- and I forget the name of it -- over the Turnpike.  The bridge is stenciled with "U.S. 422" in what looks like very old lettering.  The problem?  As far as I can tell, it's NOT US 422, but is rather about 5 or 6 miles EAST of US 422.  I assume this is due to a re-alignment of the route in days gone by.  So... why not get rid of the stencil when the (steel) bridge was painted over?  I assume steel bridges are repainted every so many years as general bridge maintenance?

Then again, this IS Pennsylvania, where they don't seem to believe in spending tax dollars on maintaining good roads -- which you can always tell the instant you cross over the Mason-Dixon line from Maryland at pretty much any point.  *ducks to avoid flying Keystone-shaped reassurance markers*

Also, what the heck is up with the reverse commute traffic?  I'm driving TOWARD Philadelphia in the afternoon... or so I think... EAST on the Turnpike... and yet we have bumper-to-bumper traffic at 5:30-ish PM from roughly KoP to exit 339, whereas the other side of the Turnpike (what I would think would be people coming home from work) is pretty clear.  In the morning, I haven't hit much traffic, but this was prior to 7:00 AM and I've only done it this morning, so far.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ipeters61 on June 26, 2018, 09:09:41 PM
Quote from: tckma on June 26, 2018, 07:35:22 PM
Also, what the heck is up with the reverse commute traffic?  I'm driving TOWARD Philadelphia in the afternoon... or so I think... EAST on the Turnpike... and yet we have bumper-to-bumper traffic at 5:30-ish PM from roughly KoP to exit 339, whereas the other side of the Turnpike (what I would think would be people coming home from work) is pretty clear.  In the morning, I haven't hit much traffic, but this was prior to 7:00 AM and I've only done it this morning, so far.
Don't want to get too political, but I have an uncle who lives in the Norristown/KOP area but works over in the Exton/West Chester area.  He's also a business owner (software developer) who used to live in Philadelphia.  He told me that the city has such a bizarre and frustrating tax system that lots of businesses decide to just go to the suburbs instead - which is why he moved to the suburbs.  Further, I'm sure the concentration of businesses around the suburbs occurred for the same reason as in other places: plenty of land, close to the highways, and at the time that land was probably cheaper than land in the city, allowing them to build office campuses which were gigantic.  I remember I had an interview at IKEA's American logistics office in KOP and I'm sure I was driving in that complex for a solid 5 minutes at least.

I also have an aunt who lives in Philadelphia but takes the SEPTA regional rail to the suburbs everyday for work.  Likewise, when I went to the University of Delaware, I had some friends who chose to live in Philadelphia instead (PhD students working on their dissertations so they only needed to be in DE for a few days a week), taking the SEPTA as well.  I assume in their cases it's just that they preferred living in a city.  I used to live next to Newark's SEPTA station and that train unloaded like crazy every day at 7-8am (and it was rush hour only service).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on June 26, 2018, 10:44:34 PM
Quote from: tckma on June 26, 2018, 07:35:22 PM
Howdy!  Not new to roadgeeking, but perhaps new to the PA Forum Topic.  Maybe I posted here a few years ago, maybe not.

Anyhow... back story... I got laid off at the end of March.  I found a new job (actually two new jobs, but that's a longer story... one starts after the other ends, basically).

This job is short-term contract work.  During the work week, I'll be staying at a hotel in the Philadelphia area, and the job is in King of Prussia.  I'll be home in Maryland on weekends.  This will be for, at most, one year.

I started the job on Monday.

The hotel I have chosen for this week necessitates what I thought was a reverse commute on the PA Turnpike.  I noticed something funny over the 2 round-trips I made from KoP to my hotel.  There's a road -- and I forget the name of it -- over the Turnpike.  The bridge is stenciled with "U.S. 422" in what looks like very old lettering.  The problem?  As far as I can tell, it's NOT US 422, but is rather about 5 or 6 miles EAST of US 422.  I assume this is due to a re-alignment of the route in days gone by.  So... why not get rid of the stencil when the (steel) bridge was painted over?  I assume steel bridges are repainted every so many years as general bridge maintenance?

Then again, this IS Pennsylvania, where they don't seem to believe in spending tax dollars on maintaining good roads -- which you can always tell the instant you cross over the Mason-Dixon line from Maryland at pretty much any point.  *ducks to avoid flying Keystone-shaped reassurance markers*

Also, what the heck is up with the reverse commute traffic?  I'm driving TOWARD Philadelphia in the afternoon... or so I think... EAST on the Turnpike... and yet we have bumper-to-bumper traffic at 5:30-ish PM from roughly KoP to exit 339, whereas the other side of the Turnpike (what I would think would be people coming home from work) is pretty clear.  In the morning, I haven't hit much traffic, but this was prior to 7:00 AM and I've only done it this morning, so far.
If its the Germantown Pike overpass it was indeed US 422 at one time.  Also it took decades for PTC to remove both US 309 and US 611 from guide signs as both were decommissioned back when the Vietnam War was going. In fact US 309 was long before US 611, but in 1983 both Fort Washington and Willow Grove still had both PA designations signed as part of the US Highway system in all text lettering.  It was not until 1984 when PTC replaced all the old signs with button copy PA shield guides (which corrected the errors on both decommissioned US designations) which ended up a few years later of going all reflective.

Anyway yes PTC and PennDOT do drag their feet as finally after 30 years they finally decided to add Trenton as a control city for US 1 north in Langhorne at the Oxford Valley Cloverleaf along I-95 which had Morrisville and no mention of Trenton until you crossed into NJ.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 08:54:34 AM
Quote from: tckma on June 26, 2018, 07:35:22 PMThere's a road -- and I forget the name of it -- over the Turnpike.  The bridge is stenciled with "U.S. 422" in what looks like very old lettering.  The problem?  As far as I can tell, it's NOT US 422, but is rather about 5 or 6 miles EAST of US 422.  I assume this is due to a re-alignment of the route in days gone by.  So... why not get rid of the stencil when the (steel) bridge was painted over?  I assume steel bridges are repainted every so many years as general bridge maintenance?

Then again, this IS Pennsylvania, where they don't seem to believe in spending tax dollars on maintaining good roads -- which you can always tell the instant you cross over the Mason-Dixon line from Maryland at pretty much any point.  *ducks to avoid flying Keystone-shaped reassurance markers*
The overpass you likely saw was Ridge Pike (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1057122,-75.3149877,3a,75y,66.41h,102.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTrS_e5eeMMLQx1aOTJLNaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).  Prior to 1961, this stretch of Ridge Pike was US 422.  From 1961 to 1985, US 422 shifted over to Germantown Pike/Ave. further east (prior to 1961, Germantown Pike was ALT US 422).  Note: the Germantown Pike overpass along the Turnpike does not feature the large stenciled U.S. 422 lettering on it.  From 1985 onward, US 422 is along its current Pottstown Expressway alignment/corridor.

While the paint job along the Ridge Pike overpass appear old (GSV is from 2016); I can't believe for one minute that the overpass hasn't been repainted since the early 60s.  Even more ironic is that this stretch of Ridge Pike hasn't been a PennDOT maintained (no SR XXXX designation) roadway for quite some time (possibly as far back as when US 422 was rerouted onto Germantown Pike).  It's locally maintained beyond the overpass abutments.

More detailed info. regarding US 422's history (& other historic US routes) in the Greater Philly area can be found here (https://www.usends.com/philadelphia.html).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on June 27, 2018, 09:24:59 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 08:54:34 AM
The overpass you likely saw was Ridge Pike (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1057122,-75.3149877,3a,75y,66.41h,102.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTrS_e5eeMMLQx1aOTJLNaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). 

One of the bridges where PTC cheaped out on the Six-Lane Widening project in the late 1980s and didn't replace the bridge, thereby provided a right shoulder only about 3 feet wide.  It was and is customary everwhere on an Interstate widening project to replace the overpass when its spans are not long enough for the widened roadway and full shoulders.  PTC itself has done that on the more recent six-laning projects.


Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 10:07:17 AM
Quote from: Beltway on June 27, 2018, 09:24:59 AMOne of the bridges where PTC cheaped out on the Six-Lane Widening project in the late 1980s and didn't replace the bridge, thereby provided a right shoulder only about 3 feet wide.  It was and is customary everwhere on an Interstate widening project to replace the overpass when its spans are not long enough for the widened roadway and full shoulders.  PTC itself has done that on the more recent six-laning projects.
I'm as much of a PTC critic as everyone else here but the more recent 6-lane widening projects I've seen (examples: Northeast Extension (I-476) south of Lansdale/Exit 31/PA 63 and E-W Turnpike (I-76) between Harrisburg East & West interchanges (I-283/PA 283 & I-83 respectively)) indeed have replaced older overpasses with ones that accommodate 6-lanes with normal-size shoulders.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on June 27, 2018, 10:09:07 AM
Quote from: Beltway on June 27, 2018, 09:24:59 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 08:54:34 AM
The overpass you likely saw was Ridge Pike (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1057122,-75.3149877,3a,75y,66.41h,102.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTrS_e5eeMMLQx1aOTJLNaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). 

One of the bridges where PTC cheaped out on the Six-Lane Widening project in the late 1980s and didn't replace the bridge, thereby provided a right shoulder only about 3 feet wide.  It was and is customary everwhere on an Interstate widening project to replace the overpass when its spans are not long enough for the widened roadway and full shoulders.  PTC itself has done that on the more recent six-laning projects.

The Ridge Pike bridge was actually part of the widening from Valley Forge to Norristown ten years ago, not the 1980s widening (which only went as far west as Norristown). The only two bridges they didn't replace over the Turnpike on the Valley Forge-Norristown widening were Allendale Road and Ridge Pike. The former makes slight sense since half the bridge was still fairly new, but I'm really not sure why they didn't replace the Ridge Pike bridge, though I believe it will be when they (eventually) connect the Lafayette Street extension to the Turnpike.

Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 10:07:17 AM
Quote from: Beltway on June 27, 2018, 09:24:59 AMOne of the bridges where PTC cheaped out on the Six-Lane Widening project in the late 1980s and didn't replace the bridge, thereby provided a right shoulder only about 3 feet wide.  It was and is customary everwhere on an Interstate widening project to replace the overpass when its spans are not long enough for the widened roadway and full shoulders.  PTC itself has done that on the more recent six-laning projects.
I'm as much of a PTC critic as everyone else here but the more recent 6-lane widening projects I've seen (examples: Northeast Extension (I-476) south of Lansdale/Exit 31/PA 63 and E-W Turnpike (I-76) between Harrisburg East & West interchanges (I-283/PA 283 & I-83 respectively)) indeed have replaced older overpasses with ones that accommodate 6-lanes with normal-size shoulders.

This is true. The newest Turnpike widenings are quite nice, with full-width inner shoulders too, which they didn't even do on the Valley Forge-Norristown widening. Even PennDOT all too often cheaps out with the inner shoulders on reconstructions (like with I-70 west of New Stanton and the PA 309 Fort Washington Expressway).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 02 Park Ave on June 27, 2018, 11:28:35 AM
On the various six lane widening projects, the PTC has initiated work on them by replacing affected bridges years before any road work is started on the Turnpike itelf.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 27, 2018, 12:54:24 PM
Here's the former US 422 Overpass. https://goo.gl/maps/rpCsh8WqrUP2 .  You see the US 422 Stenciled on the left.  On the right, you see a few more numbers stenciled, including 10-80 (zoom in to see them).  Most likely, this was painted last in October, 1980, nearly 38 years ago.

PA and its agencies are noted for their lack of painting, which is a low-cost way to maintain those bridge overpasses.  Just one of a number of reasons why PennDOT's roads are in not-so-great condition.  Admittedly their highways are much smoother than the past, but a high percentage of state and local roads aren't.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 01:58:04 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 27, 2018, 12:54:24 PM
Here's the former US 422 Overpass. https://goo.gl/maps/rpCsh8WqrUP2 .  You see the US 422 Stenciled on the left.  On the right, you see a few more numbers stenciled, including 10-80 (zoom in to see them).  Most likely, this was painted last in October, 1980, nearly 38 years ago.
Which is still some 21 years after US 422 was moved off of Ridge Pike in this area.  Had this been this been the Germantown Pike overpass further east; such still would've been valid at the time of repaint.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on June 27, 2018, 04:11:11 PM
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on June 27, 2018, 11:28:35 AM
On the various six lane widening projects, the PTC has initiated work on them by replacing affected bridges years before any road work is started on the Turnpike itelf.

But not on the early ones, between Valley Forge and US-1 interchanges.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on June 27, 2018, 04:47:41 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 01:58:04 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 27, 2018, 12:54:24 PM
Here's the former US 422 Overpass. https://goo.gl/maps/rpCsh8WqrUP2 .  You see the US 422 Stenciled on the left.  On the right, you see a few more numbers stenciled, including 10-80 (zoom in to see them).  Most likely, this was painted last in October, 1980, nearly 38 years ago.
Which is still some 21 years after US 422 was moved off of Ridge Pike in this area.  Had this been this been the Germantown Pike overpass further east; such still would've been valid at the time of repaint.
It was probably inventoried as the US 422 bridge and not as Ridge Pike. Bridge inventory managers hate renaming bridges, to the point that they push back against fixing mileposts.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on June 27, 2018, 05:00:06 PM
I find it so interesting to see how US 422 used Ridge Pike in the early days.  In fact it makes sense now why back in the early 80's when we got rained out of a day at Hershey my parents headed south to Reading and then east on US 422.  My dad missed the turn where US 422 went left at the wye where both Ridge and Germantown split and ended up on Ridge Pike into Norristown and I remember an overhead panel missing for Germantown which most likely had the US 422 east sign on it, but Norristown was on a green sign for Ridge Pike.

Obviously that assembly was up when ALT US 422 existed and showed the two routes and hence why Norristown was also used as a control city for US 422 E Bound on PA 100 further west at the time.  It was from when Ridge carried US 422 there and was never changed.

https://goo.gl/maps/uCC4jNjePbL2 Here is the intersection now and the overhead is gone but replaced with a small green sign with proper street names now.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ipeters61 on June 27, 2018, 05:46:32 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 27, 2018, 05:00:06 PM
I find it so interesting to see how US 422 used Ridge Pike in the early days.  In fact it makes sense now why back in the early 80's when we got rained out of a day at Hershey my parents headed south to Reading and then east on US 422.  My dad missed the turn where US 422 went left at the wye where both Ridge and Germantown split and ended up on Ridge Pike into Norristown and I remember an overhead panel missing for Germantown which most likely had the US 422 east sign on it, but Norristown was on a green sign for Ridge Pike.

Obviously that assembly was up when ALT US 422 existed and showed the two routes and hence why Norristown was also used as a control city for US 422 E Bound on PA 100 further west at the time.  It was from when Ridge carried US 422 there and was never changed.

https://goo.gl/maps/uCC4jNjePbL2 Here is the intersection now and the overhead is gone but replaced with a small green sign with proper street names now.
It kind of bothers me that the only numbered route (that I know of) that enters Norristown nowadays is US-202.  It makes Norristown feel very difficult to get to.  While it may not be on anybody's list of places they would like to go, my uncle lives in the area and I just find it really weird to get to his house.  Granted, I don't like any of the roads in Montgomery County, for the most part.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on June 27, 2018, 07:49:23 PM
PA 309 is the only real arterial in Montgomery County as most numbered routes are typical two lane roads not built as highways except for maybe parts of PA 611.  Even the 202 parkway is not even an expressway. 

Other than freeways numbered routes are just inventory numbers for local roads in the state route system. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on June 27, 2018, 07:52:39 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 27, 2018, 05:00:06 PMhttps://goo.gl/maps/uCC4jNjePbL2 Here is the [Ridge and Germantown Pikes] intersection now and the overhead is gone but replaced with a small green sign with proper street names now.

Greeting you as you come off the 1799 vintage, lottery-funded (per the historical marker on the right, just before the stoplight) Perkiomen Bridge.  If PA Lottery proceeds benefited PennDOT projects, not just older Pennsylvanians would benefit, so would older Pennsylvania bridges like that one (unless it's on the NRHP).  :D :paranoid:

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: tckma on June 27, 2018, 08:22:02 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 08:54:34 AM
The overpass you likely saw was Ridge Pike (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1057122,-75.3149877,3a,75y,66.41h,102.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTrS_e5eeMMLQx1aOTJLNaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

It was -- I confirmed that while driving under it this evening on the way back to my hotel from work.  My question now is, if the bridge was repainted in October 1980, many years after US 422 was rerouted off of Ridge Pike, why stencil an incorrect route designation on the bridge?  This is indicating something that was changed 57 (!) years ago!!!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on June 27, 2018, 08:29:30 PM
Quote from: tckma on June 27, 2018, 08:22:02 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 08:54:34 AM
The overpass you likely saw was Ridge Pike (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1057122,-75.3149877,3a,75y,66.41h,102.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTrS_e5eeMMLQx1aOTJLNaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

It was.  My question now is, if the bridge was repainted in October 1980, many years after US 422 was rerouted off of Ridge Pike, why stencil an incorrect route designation on the bridge?
I believe the term in the road enthusiasts is called carbon copying!  Of course if NE2 was here he would probably say "Carbon Copied" but yes contractors just go by what is there and have no knowledge of technically details like we do.  They just go by what is on the original and keep it due to ignorance of the roads.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on June 27, 2018, 11:28:57 PM
Quote from: tckma on June 27, 2018, 08:22:02 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2018, 08:54:34 AM
The overpass you likely saw was Ridge Pike (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1057122,-75.3149877,3a,75y,66.41h,102.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTrS_e5eeMMLQx1aOTJLNaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

It was -- I confirmed that while driving under it this evening on the way back to my hotel from work.  My question now is, if the bridge was repainted in October 1980, many years after US 422 was rerouted off of Ridge Pike, why stencil an incorrect route designation on the bridge?  This is indicating something that was changed 57 (!) years ago!!!

Quote from: Alps on June 27, 2018, 04:47:41 PM
It was probably inventoried as the US 422 bridge and not as Ridge Pike. Bridge inventory managers hate renaming bridges, to the point that they push back against fixing mileposts.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on July 09, 2018, 08:58:21 PM
Drove over the new Schuylkill River bridge on US 422 in Valley Forge and noticed a sign structure ready to be installed.  They are using APLs on the sign for the Trooper Road (PA 363) interchange.  However, they signed thru traffic as PA 422 instead of US 422.  Hopefully they fix that before they hang it over the road.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: tckma on August 15, 2018, 08:37:18 AM
Another question:

I've seen signs along the edge of 422 Eastbound between Royersford and K. of P. that say "STAMPP POINT."  Under those words is a triangle that sometimes has a dot in the center of it and sometimes doesn't.

Professor Google found me this:

"PennDOT uses a pavement management system to determine the overall condition of highways, including I-95. To do this, PennDOT uses Systematic Technique to Analysis and Manage Pennsylvania's Pavements (STAMPP), an automated condition survey that collects distressed data about the pavement surfaces such as patching, cracking, rutting, raveling, edge deterioration and weathering. Software is used to analyze the collected data to determine the appropriate pavement maintenance treatment."

( quote from http://www.95revive.com/i95/reviving-i-95/roadway-facts )

First of all, wouldn't it be "Analyze" rather than "Analysis?"  That makes more sense as a verb.

Regardless, as a software engineer by trade, I found this interesting.  What data are collected?  How are they aggregated to determine proper/appropriate maintenance methods?  What equipment is deployed/installed at a STAMPP Point?  What's the difference between the dotted triangle and the non-dotted triangle?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on August 15, 2018, 11:35:23 PM
Quote from: tckma on August 15, 2018, 08:37:18 AM
Another question:

I've seen signs along the edge of 422 Eastbound between Royersford and K. of P. that say "STAMPP POINT."  Under those words is a triangle that sometimes has a dot in the center of it and sometimes doesn't.

Professor Google found me this:

"PennDOT uses a pavement management system to determine the overall condition of highways, including I-95. To do this, PennDOT uses Systematic Technique to Analysis and Manage Pennsylvania's Pavements (STAMPP), an automated condition survey that collects distressed data about the pavement surfaces such as patching, cracking, rutting, raveling, edge deterioration and weathering. Software is used to analyze the collected data to determine the appropriate pavement maintenance treatment."

( quote from http://www.95revive.com/i95/reviving-i-95/roadway-facts )

First of all, wouldn't it be "Analyze" rather than "Analysis?"  That makes more sense as a verb.

Regardless, as a software engineer by trade, I found this interesting.  What data are collected?  How are they aggregated to determine proper/appropriate maintenance methods?  What equipment is deployed/installed at a STAMPP Point?  What's the difference between the dotted triangle and the non-dotted triangle?
I can at least go over generally how pavement is assessed - there are specially equipped vehicles that drive the road and essentially "read" it with infrared, lasers, what have you. That gives an idea of surface distress - how far from flat the roadway is. This is quantified through IRI (international roughness index) and other such measures. You also have visual assessment for cracking, with different scores for light cracking, map cracking (they're all small but they interconnect like lines on a map), and deeper/longer cracks, as well as reflective cracks for concrete below asphalt. Eventually you end up with a handful of scores that you drop into a meat grinder and they come out as a priority ranking.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Rothman on August 16, 2018, 09:54:30 AM
Heh.  Up until recently, NYSDOT was still doind a windshield survey of conditions, despite also using the equipment mentioned.

Heck, NYSDOT may still be doing it; they keep saying the windshield survey is going to be nixed and then you find they're still doing it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: vdeane on August 16, 2018, 01:54:27 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 16, 2018, 09:54:30 AM
Heh.  Up until recently, NYSDOT was still doind a windshield survey of conditions, despite also using the equipment mentioned.

Heck, NYSDOT may still be doing it; they keep saying the windshield survey is going to be nixed and then you find they're still doing it.
We weren't asked to this year, so I think it's dead now.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: BrianP on August 16, 2018, 03:32:28 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 16, 2018, 01:54:27 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 16, 2018, 09:54:30 AM
Heh.  Up until recently, NYSDOT was still doind a windshield survey of conditions, despite also using the equipment mentioned.

Heck, NYSDOT may still be doing it; they keep saying the windshield survey is going to be nixed and then you find they're still doing it.
We weren't asked to this year, so I think it's dead now.
They may have done both until they were satisfied that the equipment caught all of the issues that the windshield survey found. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: vdeane on August 16, 2018, 08:20:16 PM
Quote from: BrianP on August 16, 2018, 03:32:28 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 16, 2018, 01:54:27 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 16, 2018, 09:54:30 AM
Heh.  Up until recently, NYSDOT was still doind a windshield survey of conditions, despite also using the equipment mentioned.

Heck, NYSDOT may still be doing it; they keep saying the windshield survey is going to be nixed and then you find they're still doing it.
We weren't asked to this year, so I think it's dead now.
They may have done both until they were satisfied that the equipment caught all of the issues that the windshield survey found. 
Something like that.  They were working on a way to approximate the 1-10 (really 3-10; 1 and 2 are for conditions so bad that they don't actually exist on anything we maintain) scale from the windshield survey, and after the third annual final year of doing the windshield survey, they got it so that the approximated scores are close enough to switch over.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on August 16, 2018, 09:12:20 PM
Quote from: tckma on August 15, 2018, 08:37:18 AMPennDOT uses Systematic Technique to Analysis and Manage Pennsylvania's Pavements (STAMPP),

To paraphrase Alex from "Totally Spies", you need to work on your acronyms, PennDOT.  :)

Here is the source of the paraphrase (specifically the lower right panel)...

https://www.deviantart.com/oppai-exedra/art/Totally-Bunnies-P3-182323701

ixnay


Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Rothman on August 16, 2018, 11:08:14 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 16, 2018, 08:20:16 PM
Quote from: BrianP on August 16, 2018, 03:32:28 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 16, 2018, 01:54:27 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 16, 2018, 09:54:30 AM
Heh.  Up until recently, NYSDOT was still doind a windshield survey of conditions, despite also using the equipment mentioned.

Heck, NYSDOT may still be doing it; they keep saying the windshield survey is going to be nixed and then you find they're still doing it.
We weren't asked to this year, so I think it's dead now.
They may have done both until they were satisfied that the equipment caught all of the issues that the windshield survey found. 
Something like that.  They were working on a way to approximate the 1-10 (really 3-10; 1 and 2 are for conditions so bad that they don't actually exist on anything we maintain) scale from the windshield survey, and after the third annual final year of doing the windshield survey, they got it so that the approximated scores are close enough to switch over.
I am not so sure that it was defensible keeping it around as long as it was.  Heard a lot of grumbling about it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: vdeane on August 18, 2018, 10:35:48 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 16, 2018, 11:08:14 PM
I am not so sure that it was defensible keeping it around as long as it was.  Heard a lot of grumbling about it.
In the regions, the grumbling is from no longer getting a chance to leave the cubicle and go out into the field.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on October 02, 2018, 08:51:25 PM
Be aware speed cameras are coming to work zones in Pennsylvania and to Roosevelt Blvd in Philadelphia.  There was a lot of back & forth between both houses as to fines (Senate wanted higher fines, House kept watering them down).  The article here says the first violation in a 12-month period is a warning, though I don't see that time frame in the bill's text.

https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/work_zone_cameras_are_coming_t.html
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 03, 2018, 08:48:23 AM
Quote from: MASTERNC on October 02, 2018, 08:51:25 PM
Be aware speed cameras are coming to work zones in Pennsylvania and to Roosevelt Blvd in Philadelphia.  There was a lot of back & forth between both houses as to fines (Senate wanted higher fines, House kept watering them down).  The article here says the first violation in a 12-month period is a warning, though I don't see that time frame in the bill's text.

https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/work_zone_cameras_are_coming_t.html
Here's a similar article from The Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/speed-cameras-are-coming-to-roosevelt-boulevard-20181002.html).

Quote from: Philadelphia InquirerThe speed cameras are planned to be used first in a pilot program on Roosevelt Boulevard, which has seen an increase in deaths from vehicle crashes this year. The bill also authorized the use of speed cameras on highway work zones throughout the state.
Based on the above-article quote and what I've heard on the local news last night & this morning; the cameras will be coming to Roosevelt Blvd. (US 1) first.  Such doesn't say when cameras will start being used in highway work zones.

Other key items from the article:
Quote from: Philadelphia InquirerThe Philadelphia Parking Authority, which will administer the program, has said the cameras could be active on Roosevelt Boulevard in four to six months. When they're activated, there will be a 30-day grace period that would let speeders off with a warning. After that, a motorist photographed traveling 11 mph over the 45-mph speed limit would incur a $150 fine.

Revenue is to go to the Motor License Fund and will fund grants for transportation projects, the legislation states.

The city plans to install nine cameras along nearly 12 miles of the Boulevard, from the Philadelphia border with Bucks County to the Ninth Street intersection near Hunting Park. Signs placed every two miles will let drivers know the cameras are there.
...
He (Mike Carroll, Philadelphia's deputy managing director for transportation and infrastructure) also was not certain how long the pilot program would last, saying the city needed to capture data about the cameras' effectiveness before using them elsewhere. Bringing more cameras to Philadelphia beyond the Boulevard would require state authorization, he said.

Speed-camera tickets would not add points against a driver's license and would not affect automobile insurance rates.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: tckma on October 03, 2018, 09:28:04 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 03, 2018, 08:48:23 AM
Quote from: MASTERNC on October 02, 2018, 08:51:25 PM
Be aware speed cameras are coming to work zones in Pennsylvania and to Roosevelt Blvd in Philadelphia.  There was a lot of back & forth between both houses as to fines (Senate wanted higher fines, House kept watering them down).  The article here says the first violation in a 12-month period is a warning, though I don't see that time frame in the bill's text.

*cut for brevity*


If experience from speed cameras in Maryland is any guide... speed camera tickets will be easy to fight, especially since on multi-lane roads they often tag the wrong car.  They can't give you points because they have no evidence that you were driving the car at the time, so they can only send a violation to the registrant.

Our speed camera fines in Maryland ($40, with no escalation based on number of violations) are at a level where most people just pay them rather than waste the time (and often lost wages) to fight the tickets in court.  That's just what the state/county hopes for.  Hell, I got one when I was driving a work van with 12 interns in it -- they mailed the ticket to work, which was embarrassing.  I had a co-worker overhear the conversation where my boss handed me the ticket, and then she ran into my office excitedly with a "my boyfriend is a lawyer and he'll get that ticket dismissed for you!"

My response, "Sure, but would your boyfriend charge me less than $40 for that service?"

"Ummmm..."

"Exactly.  I'll just pay it."

PA's law (as I heard it on the news this morning on my way to work) seems like it has a bit more than mere revenue generation as its intent, at least with the escalation of fines.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on October 03, 2018, 09:36:38 AM
Quote from: tckma on October 03, 2018, 09:28:04 AM

PA's law (as I heard it on the news this morning on my way to work) seems like it has a bit more than mere revenue generation as its intent, at least with the escalation of fines.

I think that is the case, given the cameras can only be used when workers are present, and the first violation is a warning.  I did hear from the author of the Penn Live article that PennDOT's records are purged after 12 months, so if more than 12 months pass since the last violation, their records will be clean and you will only get a warning again.

The trick will be the signage that says whether or not cameras are in use.  Given contractors have a hard time turning on & off the flashing lights on Active Work Zone signage, I can see false positives or negatives occurring.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on October 03, 2018, 09:36:59 AM
Quote from: Philadelphia InquirerThe Philadelphia Parking Authority, which will administer the program, has said the cameras could be active on Roosevelt Boulevard in four to six months. When they're activated, there will be a 30-day grace period that would let speeders off with a warning. After that, a motorist photographed traveling 11 mph over the 45-mph speed limit would incur a $150 fine.

Quote from: tckma on October 03, 2018, 09:28:04 AM
If experience from speed cameras in Maryland is any guide... speed camera tickets will be easy to fight, especially since on multi-lane roads they often tag the wrong car.

nothing involving the PPA is "easy to fight."
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on October 23, 2018, 01:31:38 PM
The next long-term freeway reconstruction/widening in PA has been begun - US 1 Bucks County:

Phase 1 starting:
https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=3809 (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=3809)

QuoteU.S. 1 Section 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 the City of Philadelphia to just north of Route 413 (Pine Street) in Middletown Township and Langhorne Borough. Improvements under this first contract include:

-Constructing a third travel lane along U.S. 1 in each direction from the Route 132 (Street Road) interchange to just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange;
-Building an auxiliary lane along U.S 1 in each direction between the Route 132 (Street Road) and Pennsylvania Turnpike interchanges;
-Raising the profile of U.S. 1 from south of the Route 132 (Street Road) Interchange to north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange to improve vertical clearances for U.S. 1 structures over Route 132 (Street Road), the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange ramps;
-Upgrading U.S. 1 interchanges at Route 132 (Street Road) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike;
-Adding a northbound right-turn lane along U.S. 1 from Old Lincoln Highway to Route 132 (Street Road);
-Reconfiguring the Route 132 (Street Road) Interchange and adding a ramp from Route 132 (Street Road) eastbound to U.S. 1 southbound;
-Increasing the existing loop ramp radius to improve design speed to 30 miles-per-hour and incorporating a second lane on the U.S 1 northbound exit ramp to the Pennsylvania Turnpike;
-Removing the existing bridge that carries U.S. 1 over a closed private access road; and
-Reconstructing four bridges.

Open House for future Phase 2:
https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=3808 (https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=3808)

Quote
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...
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: briantroutman on October 23, 2018, 02:02:32 PM
I noticed this line item in the description of work:

Quote- Removing the existing bridge that carries U.S. 1 over a closed private access road

I did a quick pan through the satellite imagery of the project area, but I couldn't find a bridge where US 1 crosses over a disused private road.

I did see, however, a fairly narrow and seemingly unused overpass (https://goo.gl/maps/p2QL4Rr6piq) carrying a non-existent road over US 1–just north of the at-grade intersection with Southampton Road. Anyone know anything about this oddity? I'm too busy today to dig into old aerials or topo maps.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on October 23, 2018, 02:08:52 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on October 23, 2018, 02:02:32 PM
I noticed this line item in the description of work:

Quote- Removing the existing bridge that carries U.S. 1 over a closed private access road

I did a quick pan through the satellite imagery of the project area, but I couldn't find a bridge where US 1 crosses over a disused private road.

I did see, however, a fairly narrow and seemingly unused overpass (https://goo.gl/maps/p2QL4Rr6piq) carrying a non-existent road over US 1–just north of the at-grade intersection with Southampton Road. Anyone know anything about this oddity? I'm too busy today to dig into old aerials or topo maps.

The bridge to be removed is this (https://goo.gl/maps/kz9Lq1BQSsP2). That's not a water culvert; it was once a road underpass. I don't know if it jogged over to where New Street is now or if it continued straight and the current New Street is totally new alignment, but obviously the road underneath was removed on each side.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: briantroutman on October 23, 2018, 02:39:03 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on October 23, 2018, 02:08:52 PM
The bridge to be removed is this (https://goo.gl/maps/kz9Lq1BQSsP2). That's not a water culvert; it was once a road underpass. I don't know if it jogged over to where New Street is now or if it continued straight and the current New Street is totally new alignment, but obviously the road underneath was removed on each side.

I did a little quick digging while on a conference call... It appears that underpass was somehow connected with the former Eastern State School and Hospital which was located just west of US 1 on the land currently occupied by the retail development along Horizon Boulevard. The school was closed in 1996 and appears to have been mostly demolished by 2004. The underpass wasn't for a through road but rather an ultra-tight pseudo-trumpet  (https://www.historicaerials.com/location/40.13597203544965/-74.96400833129883/1967/17)providing access to the school. The trumpet was cut off by 1971, and the underpass seemingly served little purpose after that point.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: seicer on October 23, 2018, 03:25:24 PM
It wasn't always a pseudo trumpet, too. It was just a right-in, right-out to a side road that was later reconfigured when those buildings were removed on the east side of the highway. That underpass looks exceptionally narrow, too.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadrunner75 on October 23, 2018, 08:50:07 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on October 23, 2018, 02:02:32 PM
I did see, however, a fairly narrow and seemingly unused overpass (https://goo.gl/maps/p2QL4Rr6piq) carrying a non-existent road over US 1–just north of the at-grade intersection with Southampton Road. Anyone know anything about this oddity? I'm too busy today to dig into old aerials or topo maps.
I believe that bridge once connected the Byberry state psychiatric hospital campus that was located there, on both sides of Route 1.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: qguy on October 24, 2018, 06:52:58 AM
Quote from: briantroutman on October 23, 2018, 02:39:03 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on October 23, 2018, 02:08:52 PM
The bridge to be removed is this (https://goo.gl/maps/kz9Lq1BQSsP2). That's not a water culvert; it was once a road underpass. I don't know if it jogged over to where New Street is now or if it continued straight and the current New Street is totally new alignment, but obviously the road underneath was removed on each side.

I did a little quick digging while on a conference call... It appears that underpass was somehow connected with the former Eastern State School and Hospital which was located just west of US 1 on the land currently occupied by the retail development along Horizon Boulevard. The school was closed in 1996 and appears to have been mostly demolished by 2004. The underpass wasn't for a through road but rather an ultra-tight pseudo-trumpet  (https://www.historicaerials.com/location/40.13597203544965/-74.96400833129883/1967/17)providing access to the school. The trumpet was cut off by 1971, and the underpass seemingly served little purpose after that point.

I had completely forgotten all about that little thing. Until the shopping center with the Target and Home Depot was built, you could drive up to it on a slightly different alignment of New Road, although it had long  been closed off. It's really difficult to see at all now.

Unless my mind is playing tricks on me (which has never been an unlikely scenario), I remember driving through that underpass sometime around 1989 or 1990, before the properties on either side were redeveloped. It was only one narrow lane wide.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on October 24, 2018, 07:21:14 AM
Quote from: qguy on October 24, 2018, 06:52:58 AM
Quote from: briantroutman on October 23, 2018, 02:39:03 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on October 23, 2018, 02:08:52 PM
The bridge to be removed is this (https://goo.gl/maps/kz9Lq1BQSsP2). That's not a water culvert; it was once a road underpass. I don't know if it jogged over to where New Street is now or if it continued straight and the current New Street is totally new alignment, but obviously the road underneath was removed on each side.

I did a little quick digging while on a conference call... It appears that underpass was somehow connected with the former Eastern State School and Hospital which was located just west of US 1 on the land currently occupied by the retail development along Horizon Boulevard. The school was closed in 1996 and appears to have been mostly demolished by 2004. The underpass wasn't for a through road but rather an ultra-tight pseudo-trumpet  (https://www.historicaerials.com/location/40.13597203544965/-74.96400833129883/1967/17)providing access to the school. The trumpet was cut off by 1971, and the underpass seemingly served little purpose after that point.

I had completely forgotten all about that little thing. Until the shopping center with the Target and Home Depot was built, you could drive up to it on a slightly different alignment of New Road, although it had long  been closed off. It's really difficult to see at all now.

Unless my mind is playing tricks on me (which has never been an unlikely scenario), I remember driving through that underpass sometime around 1989 or 1990, before the properties on either side were redeveloped. It was only one narrow lane wide.

This (https://historicaerials.com/location/40.13497954071248/-74.96339678764343/1992/17) is what it looked like in 1992, so it definitely wasn't always that tiny trumpet.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on October 24, 2018, 12:21:18 PM
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on October 23, 2018, 08:50:07 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on October 23, 2018, 02:02:32 PM
I did see, however, a fairly narrow and seemingly unused overpass (https://goo.gl/maps/p2QL4Rr6piq) carrying a non-existent road over US 1–just north of the at-grade intersection with Southampton Road. Anyone know anything about this oddity? I'm too busy today to dig into old aerials or topo maps.
I believe that bridge once connected the Byberry state psychiatric hospital campus that was located there, on both sides of Route 1.
Correct.  I was just examining it about 2 weeks ago.  The bridge is not connected to anything in the Benjamin Rush state Park now and in fact has a significant grade difference between it and the park access road.  It may still serve as a potential pedestrian overpass once the senior living community is more fully developed on the west side of US1, and grading can link it on the park side.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: KEVIN_224 on October 29, 2018, 04:18:31 PM
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/street-signs-super-bowl-philadelphia-curious-philly-20181029.html?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Philly.com+Facebook+Account&cid=Philly.com+Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1hbKg_U7-uAK9Pqntx2n4FpHoG_E2JXUeSal-UtCXdsQAouX0XUYC8sIM

And I thought PENN DOT or the City Of Philadelphia made the common every day street sign blades? I guess not now! Interesting read. :)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 02:43:43 PM
The button copy signs on the lower end of the Schuylkill Expressway are currently getting replaced. Interesting thing about their replacements are that they're the first PennDOT BGSes that I've seen that are of the flat panel, rounded corner variety (ala NJTA, VDOT).

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4839/46265722722_fb2a2b4c8a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dukVuw)(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4902/45403409985_55eb2c2a43_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cb9kXx)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: seicer on December 14, 2018, 02:47:02 PM
Why the preference over sheet over extruded aluminum panels? Some of the newer sheet panels along I-81 north of Scranton are just cheap - and are wearing out pretty fast. They appear to be thinner or more cheaply constructed than the sheet panels in New York - and both seem to be inferior to the extruded panels.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 02:55:09 PM
Quote from: seicer on December 14, 2018, 02:47:02 PM
Why the preference over sheet over extruded aluminum panels? Some of the newer sheet panels along I-81 north of Scranton are just cheap - and are wearing out pretty fast. They appear to be thinner or more cheaply constructed than the sheet panels in New York - and both seem to be inferior to the extruded panels.

Well the signs they replaced were also sheet so perhaps there's an engineering reason behind it for this particular area. I dunno.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on December 14, 2018, 02:55:53 PM
Yes, still Highway Gothic!

I don't know how I feel about the rounded corners, though. It's just not... PennDOT. (In this case, that's a bad thing. :P)

Otherwise they're great. Any others up yet?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Ian on December 14, 2018, 03:01:53 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 02:43:43 PM
The button copy signs on the lower end of the Schuylkill Expressway are currently getting replaced. Interesting thing about their replacements are that they're the first PennDOT BGSes that I've seen that are of the flat panel, rounded corner variety (ala NJTA, VDOT).

I like the rounded corners, but my only complaint is the exit tab corner radii are the same as the main panel (but then again, PennDOT has a thing for that). While the previous signs were aging and hard to read at night, I'll miss the button copy.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on December 14, 2018, 03:24:31 PM
Quote from: Ian on December 14, 2018, 03:01:53 PM
my only complaint is the exit tab corner radii are the same as the main panel (but then again, PennDOT has a thing for that).

I never minded that ([My state]'s signing and striping practices are the best, darnit!), but I do think it looks odd with rounded corners.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 03:32:09 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 02:43:43 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4839/46265722722_fb2a2b4c8a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dukVuw)
Personally, I'm surprised that PennDOT opted for size-in-kind panels even for those University Ave. BGS' when they could've easily opted for a narrower and/or lower-height panel.  The only reason why the previous BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9276052,-75.1955079,3a,75y,326.66h,88.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4st7w-uHNMU6zuj8lHq3iw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) was sized that way was because it originally had the Civic Center legend underneath it.  Such was greened/masked out when the Philadelphia Civic Center was torn down years ago.

Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 02:43:43 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4902/45403409985_55eb2c2a43_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cb9kXx)
In this case a 1/4 MILE legend was added to where the old Civic Center legend was on its predecessor BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9311191,-75.1990821,3a,75y,327.7h,77.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5vq0yM3HZdViJbwgCwQ9IA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 03:44:03 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 03:32:09 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 02:43:43 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4839/46265722722_fb2a2b4c8a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dukVuw)
Personally, I'm surprised that PennDOT opted for size-in-kind panels even for those University Ave. BGS' when they could've easily opted for a narrower and/or lower-height panel.  The only reason why the previous BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9276052,-75.1955079,3a,75y,326.66h,88.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4st7w-uHNMU6zuj8lHq3iw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) was sized that way was because it originally had the Civic Center legend underneath it.  Such was greened/masked out when the Philadelphia Civic Center was torn down years ago.

Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 02:43:43 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4902/45403409985_55eb2c2a43_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cb9kXx)
In this case a 1/4 MILE legend was added to where the old Civic Center legend was on its predecessor BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9311191,-75.1990821,3a,75y,327.7h,77.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5vq0yM3HZdViJbwgCwQ9IA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

It's a win-win I guess. They get to reuse the sign brackets and they can add more information to the sign. That Exit Only panel was only added to that sign in recent years (probably around the same time they greened out the Civic Center legend).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 04:26:49 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 03:44:03 PMThat Exit Only panel was only added to that sign in recent years (probably around the same time they greened out the Civic Center legend).
I'm not so sure about that.  In my early years of driving along that stretch I do recall seeing those yellow EXIT ONLY legends on the signs even when they still showed the Civic Center legend.

Whereas one could clearly see the maskings that covered the old Civic Center legends even at a distance; the yellow EXIT ONLY messages appears to be clearly part the original panels.

Close-up of the old advance BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9313441,-75.1992947,3a,75y,313.36h,107.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slzkXaLiAQRvWJOMqS-2FLg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

If such were indeed retrofitted onto those panels; such were probably done years earlier and in a more neater, cleaner fashion.

Close-up of the BGS at the exit (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9333612,-75.1999831,3a,75y,35.9h,130.66t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sk75n2y9WF4pjMA930Hg8Cw!2e0!5s20151001T000000!7i13312!8i6656).  Were these panels recently replaced as well?

Now when will PennDOT replace those accompanying eastbound BGS' for PA 291, Passyunk Ave. & that I-76 East pull-through?  In addition to being worn reflectivity-wise, two of those BGS' (the ones for PA 291 & I-76 East) have the TO legend placed at the wrong location with respect to the route shields (were the I-95 shields replaced sometime later & the I-76 shield wasn't?)... especially for that pull-through. 

IMHO the one for PA 291 should read:

LEFT
EXIT 347 A
      TO  SOUTH
291         95
Penrose Ave.
Int'l Airport

\|/            \|/
(one could a WEST banner above the PA 291 shield)

The pull-through, assuming the same control legends are maintained:
EAST   TO   NORTH
  76               95
  Sports Complex
  W. Whitman Br.

\|/                  \|/

or a more MUTCD compliant:
EAST   TO   NORTH
  76               95
  W. Whitman Br.
    Atlantic City

\|/                  \|/

If the above was adopted, a ground-mounted supplemental BGS for the Sports Complex would read:
Sports Complex
USE EXIT 349
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 04:52:24 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 04:26:49 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 03:44:03 PMThat Exit Only panel was only added to that sign in recent years (probably around the same time they greened out the Civic Center legend).
I'm not so sure about that.  In my early years of driving along that stretch I do recall seeing those yellow EXIT ONLY legends on the signs even when they still showed the Civic Center legend.

Whereas one could clearly see the maskings that covered the old Civic Center legends even at a distance; the yellow EXIT ONLY messages appears to be clearly part the original panels.

Close-up of the old advance BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9313441,-75.1992947,3a,75y,313.36h,107.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slzkXaLiAQRvWJOMqS-2FLg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

If such were indeed retrofitted onto those panels; such were probably done years earlier and in a more neater, cleaner fashion.

Zoom in a bit closer. You'll see the rivets.

QuoteClose-up of the BGS at the exit (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9333612,-75.1999831,3a,75y,35.9h,130.66t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sk75n2y9WF4pjMA930Hg8Cw!2e0!5s20151001T000000!7i13312!8i6656).  Were these panels recently replaced as well?


Now when will PennDOT replace those accompanying eastbound BGS' for PA 291, Passyunk Ave. & that I-76 East pull-through?  In addition to being worn reflectivity-wise, two of those BGS' (the ones for PA 291 & I-76 East) have the TO legend placed at the wrong location with respect to the route shields (were the I-95 shields replaced sometime later & the I-76 shield wasn't?)... especially for that pull-through. 

IMHO the one for PA 291 should read:

LEFT
EXIT 347 A
      TO  SOUTH
291         95
Penrose Ave.
Int'l Airport

\|/            \|/
(one could a WEST banner above the PA 291 shield)

The pull-through, assuming the same control legends are maintained:
EAST   TO   NORTH
  76               95
  Sports Complex
  W. Whitman Br.

\|/                  \|/

or a more MUTCD compliant:
EAST   TO   NORTH
  76               95
  W. Whitman Br.
    Atlantic City

\|/                  \|/

If the above was adopted, a ground-mounted supplemental BGS for the Sports Complex would read:
Sports Complex
USE EXIT 349


Yup. Everything east and westbound along the Vare Av stretch is now replaced. I'll get some pics of the eastbound signs tonight. They're also replacing the signs further up after the University City curve to South St. I hope (but doubt) they replace the couple Clearview signs that were put up during South St bridge project.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 05:25:35 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 04:52:24 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 04:26:49 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 03:44:03 PMThat Exit Only panel was only added to that sign in recent years (probably around the same time they greened out the Civic Center legend).
I'm not so sure about that.  In my early years of driving along that stretch I do recall seeing those yellow EXIT ONLY legends on the signs even when they still showed the Civic Center legend.

Whereas one could clearly see the maskings that covered the old Civic Center legends even at a distance; the yellow EXIT ONLY messages appears to be clearly part the original panels.

Close-up of the old advance BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9313441,-75.1992947,3a,75y,313.36h,107.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slzkXaLiAQRvWJOMqS-2FLg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

If such were indeed retrofitted onto those panels; such were probably done years earlier and in a more neater, cleaner fashion.

Zoom in a bit closer. You'll see the rivets.
Fair enough; but as I previously stated, that retrofit was done much earlier & in a much neater fashion.  I'm guessing the old BGS at the ramp had a white button-copy-on-green EXIT ONLY message (what else would it have had?) & the 1/4-mile advance sign probably originally had the standard 1/4 MILE legend on it... something that has returned with the replacement BGS.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on December 14, 2018, 05:33:55 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 05:25:35 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 04:52:24 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on December 14, 2018, 04:26:49 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 14, 2018, 03:44:03 PMThat Exit Only panel was only added to that sign in recent years (probably around the same time they greened out the Civic Center legend).
I'm not so sure about that.  In my early years of driving along that stretch I do recall seeing those yellow EXIT ONLY legends on the signs even when they still showed the Civic Center legend.

Whereas one could clearly see the maskings that covered the old Civic Center legends even at a distance; the yellow EXIT ONLY messages appears to be clearly part the original panels.

Close-up of the old advance BGS (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9313441,-75.1992947,3a,75y,313.36h,107.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slzkXaLiAQRvWJOMqS-2FLg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

If such were indeed retrofitted onto those panels; such were probably done years earlier and in a more neater, cleaner fashion.

Zoom in a bit closer. You'll see the rivets.
Fair enough; but as I previously stated, that retrofit was done much earlier & in a much neater fashion.  I'm guessing the old BGS at the ramp had a white button-copy-on-green EXIT ONLY message (what else would it have had?) & the 1/4-mile advance sign probably originally had the standard 1/4 MILE legend on it... something that has returned with the replacement BGS.

Another thing leaning toward retrofit is the green bottom corners. Even when PennDOT messes up and uses a white border around the EXIT ONLY section, the corners are yellow.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Gnutella on December 15, 2018, 05:44:46 AM
Quote from: seicer on December 14, 2018, 02:47:02 PM
Why the preference over sheet over extruded aluminum panels? Some of the newer sheet panels along I-81 north of Scranton are just cheap - and are wearing out pretty fast. They appear to be thinner or more cheaply constructed than the sheet panels in New York - and both seem to be inferior to the extruded panels.

You're not the only one who's noticed that PennDOT does extruded-panel signs much better than increment-panel signs. Their increment-panel signs look cheap and less pattern-accurate, but their extruded-panel signs look solid and more pattern-accurate.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: sbeaver44 on December 15, 2018, 10:58:28 AM
This was posted on the AARoads Facebook page, showing the Schuylkill Expwy at the Vine St Expwy in Philadelphia.  If you zoom in, US 30 East appears to be signed continuing on the Schuylkill past here.  I have never seen anything that matches that, I thought US 30 always either used Girard/Spring Garden or the Vine St Expwy itself.

What was this routing of US 30 then?

Or, am I misunderstanding where this is?  Perhaps 30 is going right and curving under to use the bridge on the left, and the "Schuylkill" signed as Vine St to the left only continues a little bit and then turns to become Vine St?


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181215/ae01b89531b8498f1ba580a3edbf3075.jpg)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on December 15, 2018, 11:34:10 AM
Notice in the postcard the landmark (to some, including me) Strawbridge & Clothier billboard (with temperature) welcoming Schuylkill survivors to the City of Brotherly Love.  Also the Schmidt's beer (with clock) billboard atop the tall warehouse.  Just off the photo to the right (atop another warehouse) is the "Welcome to Philadelphia and GIMBELS" sign.  Thank you Sbeaver for bringing back some of my youth (although the first exit signs I remember on the Surekill were dark green button copy so this pic would be before my time).

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on December 15, 2018, 01:09:43 PM
Quote from: sbeaver44 on December 15, 2018, 10:58:28 AM
This was posted on the AARoads Facebook page, showing the Schuylkill Expwy at the Vine St Expwy in Philadelphia.  If you zoom in, US 30 East appears to be signed continuing on the Schuylkill past here.  I have never seen anything that matches that, I thought US 30 always either used Girard/Spring Garden or the Vine St Expwy itself.

What was this routing of US 30 then?

Or, am I misunderstanding where this is?  Perhaps 30 is going right and curving under to use the bridge on the left, and the "Schuylkill" signed as Vine St to the left only continues a little bit and then turns to become Vine St?


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181215/ae01b89531b8498f1ba580a3edbf3075.jpg)

My best guess is that the thru arrow and the left arrows both refer to Vine St. (since the thru arrow is on the left) and this is just poor sign design.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: briantroutman on December 15, 2018, 01:57:56 PM
I tend to think that Steve is right–that both the "straight"  and "left"  arrows are pointing to the Vine Street ramp. Also bear in mind that until 1974, the through movement for I-80S (and later I-76) was to Center City via the Vine Street Expressway. The auxiliary designation I-680 (later I-676) continued down the Schuylkill to the Walt Whitman Bridge.

The Philadelphia inset on the back of the PDH's 1960 state map (http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1960bk.pdf) shows this I-80S configuration, and it still shows US 30 winding its way through the city on Girard, Spring Garden, and other streets on its way to the Ben Franklin Bridge. Jeff Kitsko's US 30 history (http://www.pahighways.com/us/US30.html) says that the designation was moved to the Schuylkill and Vine Street Expressways in 1962.

And that date seems to be consistent with the photo. It's hard to make out details, but most of the cars pictured appear to be late '50s or 1960 models, with what might be a '62 or '63 Ford Thunderbird just past the gore point headed to Vine Street. So this photo could easily have been taken within months after the US 30 designation was moved to the expressway, and its signage was tacked on poorly and after the fact. Later signage posted at the same point a few years later (http://www.pahighways.com/graphics/pictures/I76_I676.jpg) showed both I-76 and I-676 with almost straight up arrows...I-76's tilted just slightly to the left and I-676's just slightly to the right.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: qguy on December 15, 2018, 02:00:33 PM
Quote from: Alps on December 15, 2018, 01:09:43 PM
Quote from: sbeaver44 on December 15, 2018, 10:58:28 AM
This was posted on the AARoads Facebook page, showing the Schuylkill Expwy at the Vine St Expwy in Philadelphia.  If you zoom in, US 30 East appears to be signed continuing on the Schuylkill past here.  I have never seen anything that matches that, I thought US 30 always either used Girard/Spring Garden or the Vine St Expwy itself.

What was this routing of US 30 then?

Or, am I misunderstanding where this is?  Perhaps 30 is going right and curving under to use the bridge on the left, and the "Schuylkill" signed as Vine St to the left only continues a little bit and then turns to become Vine St?


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181215/ae01b89531b8498f1ba580a3edbf3075.jpg)

My best guess is that the thru arrow and the left arrows both refer to Vine St. (since the thru arrow is on the left) and this is just poor sign design.

The configuration of the interchange was different then.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on December 15, 2018, 04:16:36 PM
Quote from: qguy on December 15, 2018, 02:00:33 PM
Quote from: Alps on December 15, 2018, 01:09:43 PM
Quote from: sbeaver44 on December 15, 2018, 10:58:28 AM
This was posted on the AARoads Facebook page, showing the Schuylkill Expwy at the Vine St Expwy in Philadelphia.  If you zoom in, US 30 East appears to be signed continuing on the Schuylkill past here.  I have never seen anything that matches that, I thought US 30 always either used Girard/Spring Garden or the Vine St Expwy itself.

What was this routing of US 30 then?

Or, am I misunderstanding where this is?  Perhaps 30 is going right and curving under to use the bridge on the left, and the "Schuylkill" signed as Vine St to the left only continues a little bit and then turns to become Vine St?


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181215/ae01b89531b8498f1ba580a3edbf3075.jpg)

My best guess is that the thru arrow and the left arrows both refer to Vine St. (since the thru arrow is on the left) and this is just poor sign design.

The configuration of the interchange was different then.

Though Vine Street was still left and the Schuylkill still right.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on December 15, 2018, 06:28:31 PM
No median barrier on that photo ... I believe that was added in the late 1960s.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 07:59:35 AM
Reconstruction of I-95 is moving along just fine, and your grandkids should be able to enjoy the drive when they start driving!

http://www.philly.com/transportation/highway-interstate-penndot-richards-travel-driving-construction-when-finished-20181221.html

This doesn't make sense though:

Quote
Nationally, the 1,917-mile highway stretching from Miami to Houlton, Maine. moves up to 300,000 vehicles a day, according to the I-95 Corridor Coalition. But, built in the 1960s and '70s, the road is showing its years. Virginia, Florida, and Connecticut have all committed to major I-95 projects recently, the Federal Highway Administration reported.  The Pennsylvania segment under construction now is about eight miles long and used by 180,000 vehicles daily.

So only 120,000 vehicles outside of Pennsy use I-95?  Miami...NYC...Boston...DC? 

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on December 21, 2018, 08:09:55 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 07:59:35 AM
Reconstruction of I-95 is moving along just fine, and your grandkids should be able to enjoy the drive when they start driving!
http://www.philly.com/transportation/highway-interstate-penndot-richards-travel-driving-construction-when-finished-20181221.html

At least they are rebuilding it.  With all that elevated viaduct mileage some people were wondering if they were going to lose it.

Some of the same concerns as with the Surekill Expressway back in the 1970s.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: seicer on December 21, 2018, 09:03:23 AM
Well, some of the viaduct portions were removed and replaced with structured fill. I didn't realize that so much of I-95 in PA was elevated to begin with.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 09:33:09 AM
Quote from: seicer on December 21, 2018, 09:03:23 AM
Well, some of the viaduct portions were removed and replaced with structured fill. I didn't realize that so much of I-95 in PA was elevated to begin with.

Some of the overpasses have asphalt road beds, so it does make it a bit deceiving sometimes how much is truly elevated. 

The article mentioned the new overpasses would be good for 75-100 years.  Maybe a bit of an exaggeration there too!!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on December 21, 2018, 10:18:17 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 09:33:09 AM
Quote from: seicer on December 21, 2018, 09:03:23 AM
Well, some of the viaduct portions were removed and replaced with structured fill. I didn't realize that so much of I-95 in PA was elevated to begin with.
Some of the overpasses have asphalt road beds, so it does make it a bit deceiving sometimes how much is truly elevated. 

You certainly realize how much is elevated when driving it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: seicer on December 21, 2018, 10:19:59 AM
The original viaducts only lasted some 50 years? Unless the bridges are heated (which would probably be prohibitively expensive to inlay in the concrete), then salt will continue to be used. But it looks like the bridges feature a lot less steel that could be corroded.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 12:22:35 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 21, 2018, 10:18:17 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 09:33:09 AM
Quote from: seicer on December 21, 2018, 09:03:23 AM
Well, some of the viaduct portions were removed and replaced with structured fill. I didn't realize that so much of I-95 in PA was elevated to begin with.
Some of the overpasses have asphalt road beds, so it does make it a bit deceiving sometimes how much is truly elevated. 

You certainly realize how much is elevated when driving it.

There's a well-over 2 mile stretch between the Walt Whitman and Girard Point Bridges I bet would fool most people.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on December 21, 2018, 01:27:26 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 12:22:35 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 21, 2018, 10:18:17 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 21, 2018, 09:33:09 AM
Quote from: seicer on December 21, 2018, 09:03:23 AM
Well, some of the viaduct portions were removed and replaced with structured fill. I didn't realize that so much of I-95 in PA was elevated to begin with.
Some of the overpasses have asphalt road beds, so it does make it a bit deceiving sometimes how much is truly elevated. 
You certainly realize how much is elevated when driving it.
There's a well-over 2 mile stretch between the Walt Whitman and Girard Point Bridges I bet would fool most people.

Just did a quick estimate on Google Maps aerial ... between Chester and Academy Road, about 44,000 feet or 8.5 miles, and maybe 2/3 mile can be charged to crossing a river.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:21:40 PM
Finally got a chance to get decent pics of the new signed on I-76 EB:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/45561894935_9796838406_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cq9C1F)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4894/46424043572_a0bd64d5dc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dJkmLm)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4882/46475160901_e14ae2d69f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dNRmaB)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/31535164987_6106574ebe_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q3DXTa)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4842/31535256497_56431d1a1f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q3Er5V)

As you can see the 1/4 mi advance signs for Exits 347A-B haven't been replaced as of yet. I do hope that they warn of the height restriction for 347A a lot sooner than the exit gore cause as of right now that's the first indication of a height restriction and having that exit as part of my commute home, I've seen many a semi get stuck under there.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
The last 2 pics...the sign on the right isn't correct.  You're already on East I-76 so it shouldn't be labeled "TO".  And as far as "To I-95 North" goes: While Exit 350 is signed "To I-95", there's nothing on the exit ramp to tell you how to actually get to 95.  It's much easier to get to 95 North via I-676 East.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:46:13 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
The last 2 pics...the sign on the right isn't correct.  You're already on East I-76 so it shouldn't be labeled "TO".  And as far as "To I-95 North" goes: While Exit 350 is signed "To I-95", there's nothing on the exit ramp to tell you how to actually get to 95.  It's much easier to get to 95 North via I-676 East.

Perhaps they're trying to emphasize the fact that in order to remain on I-76, you have to exit the mainline and they want you start bearing right as early as possible.

I have no problem with the 95 shield being there. Probably be better off sans cardinal direction. Exit 349 can get you to both 95 North and South via Broad St, and as you mentioned Exit 350 can eventually get you to 95 North.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on December 26, 2018, 02:21:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
The last 2 pics...the sign on the right isn't correct.  You're already on East I-76 so it shouldn't be labeled "TO".  And as far as "To I-95 North" goes: While Exit 350 is signed "To I-95", there's nothing on the exit ramp to tell you how to actually get to 95.  It's much easier to get to 95 North via I-676 East.

additionally, both 347A and B should have "LEFT" placards.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 02:52:30 PM
Quote from: odditude on December 26, 2018, 02:21:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
The last 2 pics...the sign on the right isn't correct.  You're already on East I-76 so it shouldn't be labeled "TO".  And as far as "To I-95 North" goes: While Exit 350 is signed "To I-95", there's nothing on the exit ramp to tell you how to actually get to 95.  It's much easier to get to 95 North via I-676 East.

additionally, both 347A and B should have "LEFT" placards.

347B is an odd center lane exit: Approaching this area, there's 3 lanes.  The left lane is for Exit 347A, the center lane is for Exit 347B, and the right lane remains I-76 East.  At the area of the last pic, each lane splits off into 2 lanes, thus why they give each sign 2 arrows (a little confusing from a distance). 

So the last pic I would say is correct; the 2nd to last pic isn't correct as the tab is to the right, and the 3rd pic, due to the width of the sign, it defaults to being correct.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on December 26, 2018, 05:08:58 PM
The "To I-76" may have something to do with the fact that IIRC, the rest of the Schuylkill Expressway up to the bridge is owned and maintained by the DRPA. (It has no SR 0076 designation.)

They should definitely have the yellow LEFT markers in those two exit tabs, though. I'm surprised they missed that. PennDOT is usually pretty good with that on new signs.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 26, 2018, 05:23:27 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 02:52:30 PM
Quote from: odditude on December 26, 2018, 02:21:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
The last 2 pics...the sign on the right isn't correct.  You're already on East I-76 so it shouldn't be labeled "TO".  And as far as "To I-95 North" goes: While Exit 350 is signed "To I-95", there's nothing on the exit ramp to tell you how to actually get to 95.  It's much easier to get to 95 North via I-676 East.

additionally, both 347A and B should have "LEFT" placards.

347B is an odd center lane exit: Approaching this area, there's 3 lanes.  The left lane is for Exit 347A, the center lane is for Exit 347B, and the right lane remains I-76 East.  At the area of the last pic, each lane splits off into 2 lanes, thus why they give each sign 2 arrows (a little confusing from a distance). 

So the last pic I would say is correct; the 2nd to last pic isn't correct as the tab is to the right, and the 3rd pic, due to the width of the sign, it defaults to being correct.

I was angry when I first drove this part due to the "TO I-76".
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ipeters61 on December 26, 2018, 05:26:53 PM
I really don't like the rounded exit tabs combined with the rounded signs.  If you're going to do rounded signs, you might as well make it "blend" with the rest of the sign (like New York does).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on December 26, 2018, 07:51:53 PM
Quote from: ipeters61 on December 26, 2018, 05:26:53 PM
I really don't like the rounded exit tabs combined with the rounded signs.  If you're going to do rounded signs, you might as well make it "blend" with the rest of the sign (like New York does).

I agree.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ipeters61 on December 26, 2018, 08:57:24 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 02:52:30 PM
Quote from: odditude on December 26, 2018, 02:21:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
The last 2 pics...the sign on the right isn't correct.  You're already on East I-76 so it shouldn't be labeled "TO".  And as far as "To I-95 North" goes: While Exit 350 is signed "To I-95", there's nothing on the exit ramp to tell you how to actually get to 95.  It's much easier to get to 95 North via I-676 East.

additionally, both 347A and B should have "LEFT" placards.

347B is an odd center lane exit: Approaching this area, there's 3 lanes.  The left lane is for Exit 347A, the center lane is for Exit 347B, and the right lane remains I-76 East.  At the area of the last pic, each lane splits off into 2 lanes, thus why they give each sign 2 arrows (a little confusing from a distance). 

So the last pic I would say is correct; the 2nd to last pic isn't correct as the tab is to the right, and the 3rd pic, due to the width of the sign, it defaults to being correct.
How about an APL?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 09:09:35 PM
Quote from: ipeters61 on December 26, 2018, 08:57:24 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 02:52:30 PM
Quote from: odditude on December 26, 2018, 02:21:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 26, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
The last 2 pics...the sign on the right isn't correct.  You're already on East I-76 so it shouldn't be labeled "TO".  And as far as "To I-95 North" goes: While Exit 350 is signed "To I-95", there's nothing on the exit ramp to tell you how to actually get to 95.  It's much easier to get to 95 North via I-676 East.

additionally, both 347A and B should have "LEFT" placards.

347B is an odd center lane exit: Approaching this area, there's 3 lanes.  The left lane is for Exit 347A, the center lane is for Exit 347B, and the right lane remains I-76 East.  At the area of the last pic, each lane splits off into 2 lanes, thus why they give each sign 2 arrows (a little confusing from a distance). 

So the last pic I would say is correct; the 2nd to last pic isn't correct as the tab is to the right, and the 3rd pic, due to the width of the sign, it defaults to being correct.
How about an APL?

There's no option lane, so it doesn't meet the requirements for an APL.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on December 27, 2018, 08:03:24 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:21:40 PM
Finally got a chance to get decent pics of the new signed on I-76 EB:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/45561894935_9796838406_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cq9C1F)

There's room on that gantry (maybe) for a sign saying

      South and
      Southwest
     Philadelphia

USE EXITS 346B OR 347B

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on December 27, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 27, 2018, 08:03:24 PM
There's room on that gantry (maybe) for a sign saying

      South and
      Southwest
     Philadelphia

USE EXITS 346B OR 347B

ixnay

i'd say that's incorrect - for South Philly, I'd be getting off at Broad or Packer (with Passyunk getting a maybe).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:54:55 AM
Quote from: odditude on December 27, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 27, 2018, 08:03:24 PM
There's room on that gantry (maybe) for a sign saying

      South and
      Southwest
     Philadelphia

USE EXITS 346B OR 347B

ixnay

i'd say that's incorrect - for South Philly, I'd be getting off at Broad or Packer (with Passyunk getting a maybe).

Probably depends on where in South Philly you need to get to.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 28, 2018, 08:56:59 AM
Quote from: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:54:55 AM
Quote from: odditude on December 27, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 27, 2018, 08:03:24 PM
There's room on that gantry (maybe) for a sign saying

      South and
      Southwest
     Philadelphia

USE EXITS 346B OR 347B

ixnay

i'd say that's incorrect - for South Philly, I'd be getting off at Broad or Packer (with Passyunk getting a maybe).

Probably depends on where in South Philly you need to get to.

ixnay

Which is why vaguely defined neighborhoods usually aren't signed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:59:23 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 28, 2018, 08:56:59 AM
Quote from: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:54:55 AM
Quote from: odditude on December 27, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 27, 2018, 08:03:24 PM
There's room on that gantry (maybe) for a sign saying

      South and
      Southwest
     Philadelphia

USE EXITS 346B OR 347B

ixnay

i'd say that's incorrect - for South Philly, I'd be getting off at Broad or Packer (with Passyunk getting a maybe).

Probably depends on where in South Philly you need to get to.

ixnay

Which is why vaguely defined neighborhoods usually aren't signed.

Unless it's been replaced since 11/2017 with a more specifically worded sign, this looks like an exception...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9935186,-75.1995851,3a,75y,52.63h,88.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7I0PD43ydBuFWMZmV9gq2Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

which is the main reason for my suggested signage at sb exits 346B and 347B.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on December 28, 2018, 09:28:45 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:59:23 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 28, 2018, 08:56:59 AM
Quote from: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:54:55 AM
Quote from: odditude on December 27, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 27, 2018, 08:03:24 PM
There's room on that gantry (maybe) for a sign saying

      South and
      Southwest
     Philadelphia

USE EXITS 346B OR 347B

ixnay

i'd say that's incorrect - for South Philly, I'd be getting off at Broad or Packer (with Passyunk getting a maybe).

Probably depends on where in South Philly you need to get to.

ixnay

Which is why vaguely defined neighborhoods usually aren't signed.

Unless it's been replaced since 11/2017 with a more specifically worded sign, this looks like an exception...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9935186,-75.1995851,3a,75y,52.63h,88.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7I0PD43ydBuFWMZmV9gq2Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

which is the main reason for my suggested signage at sb exits 346B and 347B.

ixnay

Lets see. US 1/Roosevelt Blvd & NE Philly does make sense.
One exit, major throughfare to reach it.
South Philly can be reached by exits 346 A (South St), 347 B (Passyunk/Oregon), and 349 (Broad St)
The catch is there are exits in between that don't reach South Philly, so adding such signage would just confuse the general public.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on December 29, 2018, 08:19:50 AM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on December 28, 2018, 09:28:45 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:59:23 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 28, 2018, 08:56:59 AM
Quote from: ixnay on December 28, 2018, 08:54:55 AM
Quote from: odditude on December 27, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 27, 2018, 08:03:24 PM
There's room on that gantry (maybe) for a sign saying

      South and
      Southwest
     Philadelphia

USE EXITS 346B OR 347B

ixnay

i'd say that's incorrect - for South Philly, I'd be getting off at Broad or Packer (with Passyunk getting a maybe).

Probably depends on where in South Philly you need to get to.

ixnay

Which is why vaguely defined neighborhoods usually aren't signed.

Unless it's been replaced since 11/2017 with a more specifically worded sign, this looks like an exception...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9935186,-75.1995851,3a,75y,52.63h,88.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7I0PD43ydBuFWMZmV9gq2Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

which is the main reason for my suggested signage at sb exits 346B and 347B.

ixnay

Lets see. US 1/Roosevelt Blvd & NE Philly does make sense.
One exit, major throughfare to reach it.
South Philly can be reached by exits 346 A (South St), 347 B (Passyunk/Oregon), and 349 (Broad St)
The catch is there are exits in between that don't reach South Philly, so adding such signage would just confuse the general public.

I assume you're referring to 28th St.

I stand by my suggestion though.  Agree to disagree.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 29, 2018, 09:21:56 AM
The only reason I would think they would even sign Northeast Philadelphia is due to there being an airport there. Otherwise it would just make sense to take I-95 instead.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:17:45 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 29, 2018, 09:21:56 AM
The only reason I would think they would even sign Northeast Philadelphia is due to there being an airport there.
Not necessarily.  Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) is roughly some 8 miles from the I-76/US 1 North interchange (Exit 340 B) & such has been a general aviation airport (no scheduled commercial flights) for decades.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 29, 2018, 09:21:56 AMOtherwise it would just make sense to take I-95 instead.
Given this location along with the fact that Northeast Philly extends beyond just the I-95 corridor (you already know such), using this US 1 North exit avoids going through Center City.

Quote from: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:21:40 PM
Finally got a chance to get decent pics of the new signed on I-76 EB:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/45561894935_9796838406_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cq9C1F)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4894/46424043572_a0bd64d5dc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dJkmLm)
Is it me or is there more blank space than there needs to be on the left & right sides of that Exit 346 B approach sign?  The message on that actual exit sign itself should have been shifted to the left more.  It looks a bit crowded with respect to the arrow.

Quote from: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:21:40 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4882/46475160901_e14ae2d69f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dNRmaB)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/31535164987_6106574ebe_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q3DXTa)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4842/31535256497_56431d1a1f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q3Er5V)

As you can see the 1/4 mi advance signs for Exits 347A-B haven't been replaced as of yet. I do hope that they warn of the height restriction for 347A a lot sooner than the exit gore cause as of right now that's the first indication of a height restriction and having that exit as part of my commute home, I've seen many a semi get stuck under there.
Ugh... regarding the match-in-kind messages for that through-sign.  As previously mentioned, that TO text should be placed between the I-76 & I-95 shields.

As many have stated, that EXIT 347 A tab should have a LEFT tab above it.  As far as the EXIT 347 B tab is concerned: on one hand, I can see why such wasn't provided (aside from the match-in-kind reasoning) because the ramp is not along the far-left-lanes; however, on the other hand, the ramp is still technically located to the left of the mainline/through lanes.  Such reminds me of this scenario (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7652238,-72.6480299,3a,75y,289.62h,80.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sInKWXWyEV_xRESVvm0waYA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) along I-84 westbound in Hartford, CT.

Observation: PennDOT has been retrofitting LEFT tabs on its older left-lane exit signage.  An example (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9419372,-75.1433468,3a,75y,184.05h,94.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sikRWhr9ppP2EnrdvIRPlsA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) of such along I-95 southbound near Penn's Landing.  Similar could be done for at least the EXIT 347 A signage.

Quote from: Roadsguy on December 26, 2018, 05:08:58 PM
The "To I-76" may have something to do with the fact that IIRC, the rest of the Schuylkill Expressway up to the bridge is owned and maintained by the DRPA. (It has no SR 0076 designation.)
Given that every ramp & through sign along that stretch of I-76 lists such as 76 and not TO 76; that reasoning goes completely out the window. 

One has to wonder if the designer for the original through-eastbound signage still thought that the Schuylkill/Walt Whitman Expressways in this area were still I-676.  Had those old designations were stil the case; then the TO EAST 76 message would've still been correct.  Granted, that speculation would not explain the correct legends for the westbound through-signage... unless, of course, there were two separate designers for the eastbound & westbound signs and there was no back-checking/coordination between the two.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ipeters61 on January 02, 2019, 10:23:17 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:17:45 AM
As many have stated, that EXIT 347 A tab should have a LEFT tab above it.  As far as the EXIT 347 B tab is concerned: on one hand, I can see why such wasn't provided (aside from the match-in-kind reasoning) because the ramp is not along the far-left-lanes; however, on the other hand, the ramp is still technically located to the left of the mainline/through lanes.  Such reminds me of this scenario (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7652238,-72.6480299,3a,75y,289.62h,80.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sInKWXWyEV_xRESVvm0waYA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) along I-84 westbound in Hartford, CT.
Well, also I don't think ConnDOT signed "left exit" on "exit only" situations in signs of that generation (or previous generations, for that matter).  But of course that's now changing with the new MUTCD "left" tabs.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:34:44 AM
Quote from: ipeters61 on January 02, 2019, 10:23:17 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:17:45 AM
As many have stated, that EXIT 347 A tab should have a LEFT tab above it.  As far as the EXIT 347 B tab is concerned: on one hand, I can see why such wasn't provided (aside from the match-in-kind reasoning) because the ramp is not along the far-left-lanes; however, on the other hand, the ramp is still technically located to the left of the mainline/through lanes.  Such reminds me of this scenario (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7652238,-72.6480299,3a,75y,289.62h,80.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sInKWXWyEV_xRESVvm0waYA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) along I-84 westbound in Hartford, CT.
Well, also I don't think ConnDOT signed "left exit" on "exit only" situations in signs of that generation (or previous generations, for that matter).  But of course that's now changing with the new MUTCD "left" tabs.
I'm well aware that those CT signs are of an older generation that predate the current MUTCD standards.  I only posted such to show that a similar situation (two adjacent-left-hand-side exit ramps) exists elsewhere. 

The question here is, how would the CT example be signed if current standards were applied?  IMHO, such (both the CT & PA examples) would be a case for continued usage of diagrammatic signs (even if there's no shared-lane involved).  Such would better illustrate the scenario more clearly even if such practice is no longer being used/encouraged by MUTCD.

Maybe some of our sign designers on this board can play around with such schemes in the Redesign this! (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=9539.3475) thread.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ipeters61 on January 02, 2019, 10:40:16 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:34:44 AM
Quote from: ipeters61 on January 02, 2019, 10:23:17 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:17:45 AM
As many have stated, that EXIT 347 A tab should have a LEFT tab above it.  As far as the EXIT 347 B tab is concerned: on one hand, I can see why such wasn't provided (aside from the match-in-kind reasoning) because the ramp is not along the far-left-lanes; however, on the other hand, the ramp is still technically located to the left of the mainline/through lanes.  Such reminds me of this scenario (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7652238,-72.6480299,3a,75y,289.62h,80.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sInKWXWyEV_xRESVvm0waYA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) along I-84 westbound in Hartford, CT.
Well, also I don't think ConnDOT signed "left exit" on "exit only" situations in signs of that generation (or previous generations, for that matter).  But of course that's now changing with the new MUTCD "left" tabs.
I'm well aware that those CT signs are of an older generation that predate the current MUTCD standards.  I only posted such to show that a similar situation (two adjacent-left-hand-side exit ramps) exists elsewhere. 

The question here is, how would the CT example be signed if current standards were applied?  IMHO, such (both the CT & PA examples) would be a case for continued usage of diagrammatic signs (even if there's no shared-lane involved).  Such would better illustrate the scenario more clearly even if such practice is no longer being used/encouraged by MUTCD.

Maybe some of our sign designers on this board can play around with such schemes in the Redesign this! (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=9539.3475) thread.
Fair enough, you might be right about diagrammatics.  Personally, I would mark both the left exit (in the CT example, since I'm more familiar with it, Exit 55) and the "center exit" (Exit 54) both as "left exits" since they are still to the left of through traffic.

Another similar-ish situation I found quite confusing was this exit in NYC, although involving right exits: https://goo.gl/maps/WXBwoRZZggS2.  I couldn't tell if this was referring to the right through lane of I-678 (after the three lane exit 13A-C left) or the right lane of I-678 in that moment.  Maybe it's just me overanalyzing it, but I just don't like that setup.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on January 02, 2019, 10:43:14 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:17:45 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 29, 2018, 09:21:56 AM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4842/31535256497_56431d1a1f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q3Er5V)
As you can see the 1/4 mi advance signs for Exits 347A-B haven't been replaced as of yet. I do hope that they warn of the height restriction for 347A a lot sooner than the exit gore cause as of right now that's the first indication of a height restriction and having that exit as part of my commute home, I've seen many a semi get stuck under there.
Ugh... regarding the match-in-kind messages for that through-sign.  As previously mentioned, that TO text should be placed between the I-76 & I-95 shields.

Ugh... the infamous "triple split" on the Surekill Expressway ... unchanged from when I lived in the area in the 1970s...

Or is that two simultaneous left-hand exits from the mainline?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:49:00 AM
Quote from: Beltway on January 02, 2019, 10:43:14 AMis that two simultaneous left-hand exits from the mainline?
Yes.  Such has been there since the Expressway was built.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on January 02, 2019, 11:06:09 AM
I see it as two different freeways meeting at an at-grade intersection with ramps connecting the through movements.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on January 02, 2019, 11:52:26 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:21:40 PM
Finally got a chance to get decent pics of the new signed on I-76 EB:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/45561894935_9796838406_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cq9C1F)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4894/46424043572_a0bd64d5dc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dJkmLm)

the periods after the abbreviations shouldn't be there per MUTCD.

i think the small-caps ordinal looks odd next to the normal "St" - they should've gone with normal "th" text there.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on January 02, 2019, 01:53:50 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:17:45 AM
Quote from: Roadsguy on December 26, 2018, 05:08:58 PM
The "To I-76" may have something to do with the fact that IIRC, the rest of the Schuylkill Expressway up to the bridge is owned and maintained by the DRPA. (It has no SR 0076 designation.)
Given that every ramp & through sign along that stretch of I-76 lists such as 76 and not TO 76; that reasoning goes completely out the window. 

I didn't mean it was standard method, I mean someone designing the original button copy signs might have been confused in that one case and no one noticed the error, even after replacing the signs.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on January 02, 2019, 04:57:10 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 02, 2019, 10:49:00 AM
Quote from: Beltway on January 02, 2019, 10:43:14 AMis that two simultaneous left-hand exits from the mainline?
Yes.  Such has been there since the Expressway was built.

Which I knew was the case.  I first drove it in 1972.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on January 14, 2019, 07:01:47 PM
These signs gone yet?
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4573/26829904399_bc42441c36_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GSSgQB)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4531/38606801181_dcc7377d29_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21PxWX8)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on January 14, 2019, 07:14:40 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on January 14, 2019, 07:01:47 PM
These signs gone yet?
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4573/26829904399_bc42441c36_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4531/38606801181_dcc7377d29_c.jpg)

I don't believe so, though they definitely will be as the currently active first phase of the US 1 Improvement Project advances. Only early work has been done so far.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PM
Is their a granite divider wall on Lincoln Drive in Philadelphia?

Also why is I-76 built like that? Was it the first highway in the area? Or a bunch or old roads put together to form a highway.

Which Bridge was built first? The Platt bridge or the Double decker bridge?

& Lastly why is I-676 only 2 lanes in certain spots & not 3 all the way through. Whos the smart one that came up with those plans.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on March 07, 2019, 04:26:12 PM
Speaking of signs:
Are these still there?
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9746312,-75.1218551,3a,75y,204.38h,86.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFCQnDY6NjOUOHnnFLqGoOw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 04:30:09 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on March 07, 2019, 04:26:12 PM
Speaking of signs:
Are these still there?
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9746312,-75.1218551,3a,75y,204.38h,86.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFCQnDY6NjOUOHnnFLqGoOw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
That area looks nothing like that now. They are doing heavy construction over there.

I can take a picture for you when Or if I go over there today.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 07, 2019, 04:46:00 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PM
Is their there a granite divider wall on Lincoln Drive in Philadelphia?
FTFY.  I'm assuming that you're referring to the median.  Depending on location (GSV is one's friend) the median ranges from a Jersey barrier (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.016267,-75.2031275,3a,75y,279.47h,85.54t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1sHnAT1O2Z6sZfglxtrhVFZQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DHnAT1O2Z6sZfglxtrhVFZQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D295.04825%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100) or a simple concrete island (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0225057,-75.1982294,3a,75y,16.72h,87.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sKBQDqh3OPX3UOPl9MiYbQQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DKBQDqh3OPX3UOPl9MiYbQQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D29.72175%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656).
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PMAlso why is I-76 built like that?
Built like what?
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PM
Was it the first highway in the area?
In terms of expressways in the city, yes.
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PMWhich Bridge was built first? The Platt bridge or the Double decker bridge?
If by Double-decker, you're referring to the Girard Point Bridge which carries I-95; the Platt Bridge (originally known as the Penrose (Ave.) Bridge) that carries PA 291 is older by at least two decades.
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PMLastly why is I-676 only 2 lanes in certain spots & not 3 all the way through. Who's the smart one that came up with those plans?
The Vine (Street) Expressway was built in two segments in two different decades.  The western portion, between PA 611/Broad St. & I-76, was built during the late 1950s.  The eastern leg, from PA 611 to I-95, was built during the late 80s/early 90s & opened in late 1991.  The reason way the newer stretch was built decades later and was scaled down was due to both cost and NIMBY opposition to the highway in general.  The current set-up was built as a compromise between having a full-blown 6-laner built (which would've included direct ramps to/from the Ben Franklin Bridge) vs. not having an expressway at all.

Suggestion: you might want to do some independent research on the history regarding the above or any other roadway either by reading other threads and/or doing a Google Search.  The answers to most if not all of your questions would be right at your fingertips.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 07, 2019, 04:46:00 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PM
Is their there a granite divider wall on Lincoln Drive in Philadelphia?
FTFY.  I'm assuming that you're referring to the median.  Depending on location (GSV is one's friend) the median ranges from a Jersey barrier (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.016267,-75.2031275,3a,75y,279.47h,85.54t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1sHnAT1O2Z6sZfglxtrhVFZQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DHnAT1O2Z6sZfglxtrhVFZQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D295.04825%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100) or a simple concrete island (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0225057,-75.1982294,3a,75y,16.72h,87.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sKBQDqh3OPX3UOPl9MiYbQQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DKBQDqh3OPX3UOPl9MiYbQQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D29.72175%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656).
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PMAlso why is I-76 built like that?
Built like what?
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PM
Was it the first highway in the area?
In terms of expressways in the city, yes.
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PMWhich Bridge was built first? The Platt bridge or the Double decker bridge?
If by Double-decker, you're referring to the Girard Point Bridge which carries I-95; the Platt Bridge (originally known as the Penrose (Ave.) Bridge) that carries PA 291 is older by at least two decades.
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 03:20:10 PMLastly why is I-676 only 2 lanes in certain spots & not 3 all the way through. Who's the smart one that came up with those plans?
The Vine (Street) Expressway was built in two segments in two different decades.  The western portion, between PA 611/Broad St. & I-76, was built during the late 1950s.  The eastern leg, from PA 611 to I-95, was built during the late 80s/early 90s & opened in late 1991.  The reason way the newer stretch was built decades later and was scaled down was due to both cost and NIMBY opposition to the highway in general.  The current set-up was built as a compromise between having a full-blown 6-laner built (which would've included direct ramps to/from the Ben Franklin Bridge) vs. not having an expressway at all.

Suggestion: you might want to do some independent research on the history regarding the above or any other roadway either by reading other threads and/or doing a Google Search.  The answers to most if not all of your questions would be right at your fingertips.


Yes I was referring to that Jersey Barrier, thank you. Is that a granite Jersey Barrier? Or is it just colored differently, I do think its Granite like the city curbs.

I-76 is built as if it was just upgraded & not really planned. From the turn onto or off off the 76 by the Platt Bridge should at least have some minor ramps for the highway. I assume they are upgrading 76 past the University Ave when it goes past the 30th st station, but my god they really squeezed that whole highway there, its more like a road then a highway. Did the 76 flow better when it was first built? Or was it always like that? Its just a bizarre highway.

So all the traffic had to go over that narrow 4 lane bridge in order to enter or leave philly. Sheessh. I-95 was probably a big relief when they built it.

That explains why the Benjamin bridge is not connected, that really confused me on the map, I always thought it was connected, Pa has a thing with not connecting bridges & Highways (Ex:476 & Commodore berry Bridge) you reap what you sew, they will end up paging more money to fix 676 Aka Vine street expressway. I can see it took alot of money to build roads & parks & buildings on top of a highway but when you're already halfway there you might as well keep it going. 3 full lanes & traffic probably wouldn't be backing up till the 95 exit which backs up during rush hour.

I do research this stuff up, but its different having someone who was around during that time tell you about it & with more detail. Also I forget what I was gonna look up and/or post on here sometimes so theres that. I also appreciate the answers yall give. Its great that we can all collectively bring history & knowledge that we know to one platform.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 09:23:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMYes I was referring to that Jersey Barrier, thank you. Is that a granite Jersey Barrier? Or is it just colored differently, I do think its Granite like the city curbs.
Such looks like a run-of-the-mill concrete barrier to me.  IMHO, it's colored that way just due to age.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMI-76 is built as if it was just upgraded & not really planned. From the turn onto or off off the 76 by the Platt Bridge should at least have some minor ramps for the highway. I assume they are upgrading 76 past the University Ave when it goes past the 30th st station, but my god they really squeezed that whole highway there, its more like a road then a highway. Did the 76 flow better when it was first built? Or was it always like that? Its just a bizarre highway.
One way to get a better gist of how roads/highways evolved would be to use this site (https://www.historicaerials.com/viewer) and view the various vintage aerial photographs.

Looking at the 1953 photograph, the latest available on the site prior to I-76 being built; it appears the much of the I-76 alignment was built parallel to (mostly) freight rail lines.  Such allowed for it to be built quicker & minimized (but didn't eliminate) land/home takings.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMSo all the traffic had to go over that narrow 4 lane bridge in order to enter or leave philly. Sheessh. I-95 was probably a big relief when they built it.
When the bridge first opened, the traffic was not as big of an issue because the more remote suburbs weren't developed yet and the bus & trolley transit network (both pre & post the creation of SEPTA) connecting the older & closer suburbs was more extensive, frequent and affordable.

To be sure, by the late 60s & early 70s, the traffic on that bridge was likely unbearable until I-95 opened.  I'm sure the 4-lane Passyunk Ave. drawbridge saw more traffic prior to I-95 opening as well.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMPA has a thing with not connecting bridges & Highways (Ex:476 & Commodore Barry Bridge) you reap what you sow
FTFY.  In that particular case (& I believe you had a thread on such already); such was a case involving two different agencies (PennDOT & DRPA) with two different missions.  The bridge, which replaced a ferry, was built & open to traffic well over a decade earlier.  Additionally, there was already an existing feeder highway (US 322) in the NJ side for the ferry then later the bridge.  Such was one reason why the bridge wasn't built further east.  Another reason would be the proximity to the airport's (PHL) runway take-off/approach paths.

The likely reasoning why the I-476 alignment didn't shift westward towards the bridge was the belief, at the time the Blue route corridor was chosen decades prior to it being built, was that particular location would've not served the eastern (& then more-developed)  suburbs. 

Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMthey will end up paging more money to fix 676 Aka Vine street expressway. I can see it took alot of money to build roads & parks & buildings on top of a highway but when you're already halfway there you might as well keep it going. 3 full lanes & traffic probably wouldn't be backing up till the 95 exit which backs up during rush hour.
As far as I know, there are no plans to widen the eastern portion of the Vine Expressway.  There has been back-on-forth talk about building direct ramps between the expressway and the Ben Franklin Bridge over the years but no serious plans to do such has yet materialized.  The older, western section recently underwent a rehab/overhaul.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on March 08, 2019, 10:24:50 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 09:23:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMYes I was referring to that Jersey Barrier, thank you. Is that a granite Jersey Barrier? Or is it just colored differently, I do think its Granite like the city curbs.
Such looks like a run-of-the-mill concrete barrier to me.  IMHO, it's colored that way just due to age.

It is an old barrier and darkened due to age, but at the top of the barrier, there is a section "lined" with a small stone treatment, as a scenic / aesthetic touch. It's not granite, but it is slightly more than just a regular concrete barrier. If you zoom in and travel up or down the road just a little, Streetview shows it a little better.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: AMLNet49 on March 08, 2019, 10:59:21 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 09:23:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMthey will end up paging more money to fix 676 Aka Vine street expressway. I can see it took alot of money to build roads & parks & buildings on top of a highway but when you’re already halfway there you might as well keep it going. 3 full lanes & traffic probably wouldn’t be backing up till the 95 exit which backs up during rush hour.
As far as I know, there are no plans to widen the eastern portion of the Vine Expressway.  There has been back-on-forth talk about building direct ramps between the expressway and the Ben Franklin Bridge over the years but no serious plans to do such has yet materialized.  The older, western section recently underwent a rehab/overhaul.

Regarding I-676, it's probably possible to eliminate traffic lights without any reconstruction

Eastbound, easy solution, allow the 676 eastbound traffic to flow continuously along the weave, with 6th st southbound traffic merging down to one lane and a flashing red to control entrance to the "weave" portion of the road. At the other end of the weave, the continuation of 6th street southbound could be signed as an exit from surface-level 676 prior to curving sharply left and ascending the bridge.  I think continuous flow along the "6th street" portion of 676 is attainable, as long as the speed limit remains very low, like 25 mph along this entire stretch, to allow the merging and weaving from 6th street southbound traffic. Also the I-95 exit should be signed as a triple left exit only, as opposed to I-676 being signed as a "TOTSO" (turn off to stay on).

Westbound is much more tricky. The traffic lights along 676 west are mostly in a large open area of connected intersections in the middle of several freeway ramps. I still believe that it could be accomplished cheaply, although it would be more difficult, with a combination of orange dividers and jersey barriers. Again a very low speed limit of around 25mph would be required. Some movements would be eliminated, but the rest would be channelized. They would then be signed as exits.

Of all the many interstates with traffic lights, TOTSOs, and Breezewoods, this is by far one of the closest to being at least free-flowing with no traffic lights, even if speeds would remain slow.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 11:59:21 AM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on March 08, 2019, 10:59:21 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 09:23:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMthey will end up paging more money to fix 676 Aka Vine street expressway. I can see it took alot of money to build roads & parks & buildings on top of a highway but when you're already halfway there you might as well keep it going. 3 full lanes & traffic probably wouldn't be backing up till the 95 exit which backs up during rush hour.
As far as I know, there are no plans to widen the eastern portion of the Vine Expressway.  There has been back-on-forth talk about building direct ramps between the expressway and the Ben Franklin Bridge over the years but no serious plans to do such has yet materialized.  The older, western section recently underwent a rehab/overhaul.

Regarding I-676, it's probably possible to eliminate traffic lights without any reconstruction

Eastbound, easy solution, allow the 676 eastbound traffic to flow continuously along the weave, with 6th st southbound traffic merging down to one lane and a flashing red to control entrance to the "weave" portion of the road. At the other end of the weave, the continuation of 6th street southbound could be signed as an exit from surface-level 676 prior to curving sharply left and ascending the bridge.  I think continuous flow along the "6th street" portion of 676 is attainable, as long as the speed limit remains very low, like 25 mph along this entire stretch, to allow the merging and weaving from 6th street southbound traffic. Also the I-95 exit should be signed as a triple left exit only, as opposed to I-676 being signed as a "TOTSO" (turn off to stay on).

Westbound is much more tricky. The traffic lights along 676 west are mostly in a large open area of connected intersections in the middle of several freeway ramps. I still believe that it could be accomplished cheaply, although it would be more difficult, with a combination of orange dividers and jersey barriers. Again a very low speed limit of around 25mph would be required. Some movements would be eliminated, but the rest would be channelized. They would then be signed as exits.

Of all the many interstates with traffic lights, TOTSOs, and Breezewoods, this is by far one of the closest to being at least free-flowing with no traffic lights, even if speeds would remain slow.

The worst thing with these ideas will be the elimination of pedestrian/bicycle traffic, which is a very powerful group in this area.  Sure, the access can be made a few blocks down, but they will want to have as convenient of access as possible to all roads.  There's also bound to be issues with getting between Franklin Park and the Bolt of Lightning Statue, which is already a sore point for its lack of access despite being such a highly visible location!

Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PM

Lots of questions and comments.

Quote from: PHLBOS on March 07, 2019, 04:46:00 PM

Lots of history and responses.


I-95 was a latecomer to the Interstate scene in Philly, especially near the Philly Airport, and was one of the last portions of I-95 built.  The Girard Point Bridge (the double decker bridge) originally opened as a 4 lane-per-direction bridge, before being narrows to 3 lanes to allow for shoulders.  The bridge, along with 95 itself, relieved a lot of traffic off of Rt. 291 and the Platt Bridge.

Pennsy in general built several highways prior to modern interstate guidelines were developed, and have been slower than slow in updating many of these early designs.  In most other areas of the country, they would've found the money to upgrade the Schuylkill long ago, but here it's a battle most people just don't feel like dealing with.

I-676 was originally built as a 2 lane highway from 9th Street (where the Ben Franklin Bridge merges into the highway) to the Broad Street Exit (15th Street).  Many years ago the shoulder was restriped into a travel lane to assist moving traffic between these two points.  Just getting 676 built was a huge deal, and many people are still pissed about it how it cut off the points north and south of it.  I don't necessarily agree with that because there's bridges and sidewalks along each block over 676, but at the same time you can truly see the differences of the areas just north and south of 676.

Like almost anywhere, population, suburban areas, and commuting has absolutely increased from the 80's and 90's. 

I know you are definitely a go-big-or-go-home type of fellow, but time and time again major concessions are had by both sides just to get what we've gotten in Philly!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on March 08, 2019, 12:37:19 PM
Quote from: jemacedo9 on March 08, 2019, 10:24:50 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 09:23:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMYes I was referring to that Jersey Barrier, thank you. Is that a granite Jersey Barrier? Or is it just colored differently, I do think its Granite like the city curbs.
Such looks like a run-of-the-mill concrete barrier to me.  IMHO, it's colored that way just due to age.
It is an old barrier and darkened due to age, but at the top of the barrier, there is a section "lined" with a small stone treatment, as a scenic / aesthetic touch. It's not granite, but it is slightly more than just a regular concrete barrier. If you zoom in and travel up or down the road just a little, Streetview shows it a little better.
While I'm not going to pretend like I know what TonyTone is thinking with some of his questions, the Lincoln Drive StreetView is outdated from their recent reconstruction project for drainage.  The new barriers approaching Forbidden Drive (going towards Chestnut Hill) actually do look very much like granite, although I would find it hard to believe they would use it.  Someone probably chipped in a little extra out of the park's budget for a better looking barrier.  I suspect it will take about 3 years before they are all scuffed up and looking like we're all used to, but for the time being it looks nice.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on March 08, 2019, 01:23:57 PM
Fixing 676 is actually trivial. EB traffic stays above grade and goes around the north side of the Bolt. WB traffic has a flyover on the north side that goes over empty land and comes in on the right. Adjust lane balances, build a couple of walls. Done.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PM
I thought that the GSV looked outdated compared to what I saw. The barrier looks shiny in person or driving lol.

Im confused on why people are saying 676 disrupted the city, you have Vine street paralleling it & multiple crossovers like J&N said. Also as I've stated before, some areas you cannot tell that there is a highway below you. They did a good job even though it took 40 years & wasn't completed to the full plans.
I did not know it was 2 lanes all the way through, the traffic probably used to back up worse then it does today.

The Ben Frank can definitely be fixed, there is "plenty"  of room to fit some ramps in the way like alps said. Did anyone know that the big block structures that hold the bridge up were supposed to be Trolley stations?


Wow the Girard bridge was 2-2 lanes ? So was I-95 was widened ? Or it just went to three lanes after the bridge? Interesting design aswell, double decker instead of 2 bridges, that saved PA some money. One thing I did notice on 95 NB are these lights before the tunnel, when was the last time these were functional  Google Earth Link
https://earth.app.goo.gl/?apn=com.google.earth&ibi=com.google.b612&isi=293622097&ius=googleearth&link=https%3a%2f%2fearth.google.com%2fweb%2f%4039.94323419,-75.14284212,4.4629612a,0d,42.51123928y,355.07960868h,92.21014718t,0r%2fdata%3dCgAiGgoWNXUtQ0VYeUNrSV8tUWl5U1piYk5lURAC #googleearth
(http://google%20earth%20link
Edit: for those who dont have google earth (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190308/7813f9c2fe5d73e86280c3fe8ce72ec8.jpg)




iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on March 08, 2019, 02:20:48 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on March 08, 2019, 12:37:19 PM
Quote from: jemacedo9 on March 08, 2019, 10:24:50 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 09:23:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 07, 2019, 11:25:50 PMYes I was referring to that Jersey Barrier, thank you. Is that a granite Jersey Barrier? Or is it just colored differently, I do think its Granite like the city curbs.
Such looks like a run-of-the-mill concrete barrier to me.  IMHO, it's colored that way just due to age.
It is an old barrier and darkened due to age, but at the top of the barrier, there is a section "lined" with a small stone treatment, as a scenic / aesthetic touch. It's not granite, but it is slightly more than just a regular concrete barrier. If you zoom in and travel up or down the road just a little, Streetview shows it a little better.
While I'm not going to pretend like I know what TonyTone is thinking with some of his questions, the Lincoln Drive StreetView is outdated from their recent reconstruction project for drainage.  The new barriers approaching Forbidden Drive (going towards Chestnut Hill) actually do look very much like granite, although I would find it hard to believe they would use it.  Someone probably chipped in a little extra out of the park's budget for a better looking barrier.  I suspect it will take about 3 years before they are all scuffed up and looking like we're all used to, but for the time being it looks nice.

I haven't been up Lincoln Drive in a few years, so I'll have to check it out!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 02:22:19 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMI thought that the GSV looked outdated compared to what I saw. The barrier looks shiny in person or driving lol.
If such is the case with GSV being no longer current; posting of a photo (you posted some of other areas in the past) would help clarify what one's referring to.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PM
I'm confused on why people are saying 676 disrupted the city, you have Vine street paralleling it & multiple crossovers like J&N said. Also as I've stated before, some areas you cannot tell that there is a highway below you. They did a good job even though it took 40 years & wasn''t completed to the full plans.
IMHO, many of those who protested that highway were likely those that don't like highways in cities in general.  So they embellish reasons/excuses against such.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMI did not know it was 2 lanes all the way through, the traffic probably used to back up worse then it does today.
You may want to re-read J&N's post again; he was only referring to the stretch east of Broad St. which is the newer stretch.  It was originally striped as a conventional 4-laner w/shoulders.  It was later restriped as a 6-laner without shoulders and outer lanes were westbound exit/eastbound entrance lanes for the PA 611/Broad St. interchange.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMWow the Girard bridge was 2-2 lanes ?
No, the Girard Point Bridge was originally striped as 8-lanes without shoulders.  J&N was referring to each deck being striped as 4-lanes: 4 southbound upper-deck/4 northbound lower-deck.  If one looks closely; one can still see traces of the old lane configuration.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMSo was I-95 was widened ?
No.
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMOr it just went to three lanes after the bridge?
To a point, yes.  The 4th lanes likely were exit-only lanes for PA 611/Broad Street (exit 17) and Enterprise Ave. (Exit 15).

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMdouble decker instead of 2 bridges, that saved PA some money.
Such was out of necessity.  The take-off/approach paths to PHL's runways are in proximity to that bridge.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PM
One thing I did notice on 95 NB are these lights before the tunnel, when was the last time these were functional  Google Earth Link
https://earth.app.goo.gl/?apn=com.google.earth&ibi=com.google.b612&isi=293622097&ius=googleearth&link=https%3a%2f%2fearth.google.com%2fweb%2f%4039.94323419,-75.14284212,4.4629612a,0d,42.51123928y,355.07960868h,92.21014718t,0r%2fdata%3dCgAiGgoWNXUtQ0VYeUNrSV8tUWl5U1piYk5lURAC #googleearth
(http://google%20earth%20link
Edit: for those who dont have google earth (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190308/7813f9c2fe5d73e86280c3fe8ce72ec8.jpg)
Within the last few months, PennDOT has installed/retrofitted LED lighting through those tunnels.  However, those installs/retrofits are spaced apart (i.e.not every fixture was used).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 02:22:19 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMI thought that the GSV looked outdated compared to what I saw. The barrier looks shiny in person or driving lol.
If such is the case with GSV being no longer current; posting of a photo (you posted some of other areas in the past) would help clarify what one's referring to.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PM
I'm confused on why people are saying 676 disrupted the city, you have Vine street paralleling it & multiple crossovers like J&N said. Also as I've stated before, some areas you cannot tell that there is a highway below you. They did a good job even though it took 40 years & wasn''t completed to the full plans.
IMHO, many of those who protested that highway were likely those that don't like highways in cities in general.  So they embellish reasons/excuses against such.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMI did not know it was 2 lanes all the way through, the traffic probably used to back up worse then it does today.
You may want to re-read J&N's post again; he was only referring to the stretch east of Broad St. which is the newer stretch.  It was originally striped as a conventional 4-laner w/shoulders.  It was later restriped as a 6-laner without shoulders and outer lanes were westbound exit/eastbound entrance lanes for the PA 611/Broad St. interchange.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMWow the Girard bridge was 2-2 lanes ?
No, the Girard Point Bridge was originally striped as 8-lanes without shoulders.  J&N was referring to each deck being striped as 4-lanes: 4 southbound upper-deck/4 northbound lower-deck.  If one looks closely; one can still see traces of the old lane configuration.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMSo was I-95 was widened ?
No.
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMOr it just went to three lanes after the bridge?
To a point, yes.  The 4th lanes likely were exit-only lanes for PA 611/Broad Street (exit 17) and Enterprise Ave. (Exit 15).

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMdouble decker instead of 2 bridges, that saved PA some money.
Such was out of necessity.  The take-off/approach paths to PHL's runways are in proximity to that bridge.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PM
One thing I did notice on 95 NB are these lights before the tunnel, when was the last time these were functional  Google Earth Link
https://earth.app.goo.gl/?apn=com.google.earth&ibi=com.google.b612&isi=293622097&ius=googleearth&link=https%3a%2f%2fearth.google.com%2fweb%2f%4039.94323419,-75.14284212,4.4629612a,0d,42.51123928y,355.07960868h,92.21014718t,0r%2fdata%3dCgAiGgoWNXUtQ0VYeUNrSV8tUWl5U1piYk5lURAC #googleearth
(http://google%20earth%20link
Edit: for those who dont have google earth (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190308/7813f9c2fe5d73e86280c3fe8ce72ec8.jpg)
Within the last few months, PennDOT has installed/retrofitted LED lighting through those tunnels.  However, those installs/retrofits are spaced apart (i.e.not every fixture was used).

Sorry PHLBOS, I saw those new fixtures, I meant the ones right under the BGS, the old LEDs probably originally from the 1960's in person they look like down arrows.

I'll take a picture for the people, It was my first time on that road & it was very very curvy, dangerous if you're not looking lmao.

I noticed I read that wrong, they should re strip it back to 4 lanes each way, but maybe they changed it because of the amount of traffic that comes off the exits.

A city without a highway? Thats like rural areas without farms. Luckily we have them, but it makes me wonder, will we ever see a day where roads dont get jampacked during rush hour or is that really not possible due to people complaining & "money"  not being enough.



iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 03:07:28 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMdouble decker instead of 2 bridges, that saved PA some money.

Not necessarily.  A single bridge holding 8 lanes of traffic (as originally designed) needs to be significantly stronger than a bridge holding 4 lanes of traffic.  Double decking also means approach roadways have to be configured and bridged as well.  And building roads isn't always about the cheapest design.  The cheapest may not always be the best for the community, surrounding areas, or as PHLBOS mentioned, other nearby issues.

That all said, I wished 95 North was on top.  That would have made for a beautiful view of the South Philly Navy Yard, Sports Complex, and Center City off in the distance.  Instead, you see a bunch of bridge beams.


Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PM
Sorry PHLBOS, I saw those new fixtures, I meant the ones right under the BGS, the old LEDs probably originally from the 1960's in person they look like down arrows.

I never recall a time when they were lit.  They would essentially be useless for such a short distance without any other warnings.

Quote
I'll take a picture for the people, It was my first time on that road & it was very very curvy, dangerous if you're not looking lmao.

Going North, the road is laser straight.  Going South, there's a slight incline/decline, and maybe a slight shift due to the ramps, but otherwise no curve.

I'll grant you it's a dangerous area though, with people trying to find their proper lanes for upcoming exits and speed differences of 30+ mph between the slowest and fastest drivers!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 03:46:32 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PMSorry PHLBOS, I saw those new fixtures, I meant the ones right under the BGS, the old LEDs probably originally from the 1960's in person they look like down arrows.
If you're referring to those over each lane, such are indeed lane-arrows; I've never seen them lit either... but I've only lived in the Delaware Valley since mid-1990.  Those lights date back to the 1970s when that stretch of I-95 was built.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PMA city without a highway? Thats like rural areas without farms. Luckily we have them, but it makes me wonder, will we ever see a day where roads dont get jampacked during rush hour or is that really not possible due to people complaining & "money"  not being enough.
You're mostly preaching to the choir in this forum on that subject.  Many of those that complain about highways overlook their benefits and, in many instances are flat-out hypocrites IMHO.

Case-and-point: I wonder how many of those the whined in protest about the Blue Route (I-476) in the Swarthmore area prior to it being built not only use that road to get to/from points north but complain about its traffic.  It was their complaints that triggered the narrowing to 4-lanes south of PA 3 (Exit 9) despite the unrestrained development that was taking place along its feeder roads (MacDade Blvd., Baltimore Pike, West Chester Pike (PA 3)).  Such was the reason why the vehicles counts soared up to it 20-year projections within its first year open.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:11:59 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 03:46:32 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PMSorry PHLBOS, I saw those new fixtures, I meant the ones right under the BGS, the old LEDs probably originally from the 1960's in person they look like down arrows.
If you're referring to those over each lane, such are indeed lane-arrows; I've never seen them lit either... but I've only lived in the Delaware Valley since mid-1990.  Those lights date back to the 1970s when that stretch of I-95 was built.
1990, thats over 30 years now, have said roads improved? Or still the same, Ive seen some roads in PA where potholes look like they have been there since the 90's. As far as those lights under the sign, I wonder what they look like lit up & J&N why would they not work? You would be able to clearly see them lit up.


Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PMA city without a highway? Thats like rural areas without farms. Luckily we have them, but it makes me wonder, will we ever see a day where roads dont get jampacked during rush hour or is that really not possible due to people complaining & "money"  not being enough.
You're mostly preaching to the choir in this forum on that subject.  Many of those that complain about highways overlook their benefits and, in many instances are flat-out hypocrites IMHO.

Case-and-point: I wonder how many of those the whined in protest about the Blue Route (I-476) in the Swarthmore area prior to it being built not only use that road to get to/from points north but complain about its traffic.  It was their complaints that triggered the narrowing to 4-lanes south of PA 3 (Exit 9) despite the unrestrained development that was taking place along its feeder roads (MacDade Blvd., Baltimore Pike, West Chester Pike (PA 3)).  Such was the reason why the vehicles counts soared up to it 20-year projections within its first year open.
[/quote] But, you would think people would learn from past mistakes, if their parents said no to the highway & it caused issues, wouldn't the children to them now adults say yes to the improvements to fix these roads?! No we have problems on top of problems in infrastructure because people dont wanna give up 2 feet of land for 20 years of improvements.




iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:17:46 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 03:07:28 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 01:54:36 PMdouble decker instead of 2 bridges, that saved PA some money.

Not necessarily.  A single bridge holding 8 lanes of traffic (as originally designed) needs to be significantly stronger than a bridge holding 4 lanes of traffic.  Double decking also means approach roadways have to be configured and bridged as well.  And building roads isn't always about the cheapest design.  The cheapest may not always be the best for the community, surrounding areas, or as PHLBOS mentioned, other nearby issues.

That all said, I wished 95 North was on top.  That would have made for a beautiful view of the South Philly Navy Yard, Sports Complex, and Center City off in the distance.  Instead, you see a bunch of bridge beams.
That explains why the bridge bows to the right & then the left like that! I agree if NB was on the top it would make a already kinda good view 100x better, Atleast at night you can see the PHL International, the Barry Bridge,NJ & alot of over things, I know many of you have seen alll the lights at night its really beautiful.


Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PM
Sorry PHLBOS, I saw those new fixtures, I meant the ones right under the BGS, the old LEDs probably originally from the 1960's in person they look like down arrows.

I never recall a time when they were lit.  They would essentially be useless for such a short distance without any other warnings.[/Quote] why would they not work, you would be able to see them clearly if they were lit up.

Quote
I'll take a picture for the people, It was my first time on that road & it was very very curvy, dangerous if you're not looking lmao.

Going North, the road is laser straight.  Going South, there's a slight incline/decline, and maybe a slight shift due to the ramps, but otherwise no curve.

I'll grant you it's a dangerous area though, with people trying to find their proper lanes for upcoming exits and speed differences of 30+ mph between the slowest and fastest drivers!
[/quote]
The road with the barrier is very curvy J&N look at the GSV from above. I think you're talking about the part when it goes by I-76.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 05:53:07 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:11:59 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 03:46:32 PM
If you're referring to those over each lane, such are indeed lane-arrows; I've never seen them lit either... but I've only lived in the Delaware Valley since mid-1990.  Those lights date back to the 1970s when that stretch of I-95 was built.
1990, thats over 30 years now, have said roads improved? Or still the same, Ive seen some roads in PA where potholes look like they have been there since the 90's. As far as those lights under the sign, I wonder what they look like lit up & J&N why would they not work? You would be able to clearly see them lit up.
29 years, 2020 is next year.  I-95 from I-676 southward really hasn't really changed too much since the early 1990s.  When I first moved here: the I-95/676 connection ramps weren't yet open (such opened when the Vine Expressway was fully completed), two of the I-95 South entrance ramps (one at Market St. the other at Morris St.) and the Penns Landing interchange (Exit 21) ramps weren't open yet either.  At that time, those along I-95 northbound heading towards Penns Landing exited off a ramp that dumped traffic onto Morris St. (that ramp was replaced with the current Exit 21 ramp).  Those along I-95 southbound had used Exit 22 but such only connected to Callowhill St. back then.

The 1991 opening of the eastern portion of I-676 and those ramps along the Penns Landing stretch of I-95 were a big deal back then.

Side bar: the steel truss arch for Girard Point Bridge has only been painted blue for about a decade.  Prior to that, it was painted standard DOT green.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PMA city without a highway? 
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 03:46:32 PMCase-and-point: I wonder how many of those the whined in protest about the Blue Route (I-476) in the Swarthmore area prior to it being built not only use that road to get to/from points north but complain about its traffic.  It was their complaints that triggered the narrowing to 4-lanes south of PA 3 (Exit 9) despite the unrestrained development that was taking place along its feeder roads (MacDade Blvd., Baltimore Pike, West Chester Pike (PA 3)).  Such was the reason why the vehicles counts soared up to it 20-year projections within its first year open.
But, you would think people would learn from past mistakes, if their parents said no to the highway & it caused issues, wouldn't the children to them now adults say yes to the improvements to fix these roads?! No we have problems on top of problems in infrastructure because people dont wanna give up 2 feet of land for 20 years of improvements.
Sadly, a lot of people don't learn from their history, and as a result similar mistakes are repeated again later on.  I've been around long enough to witness manifestations of such and I'm not just referring to roads & transportation-related subjects.

There's an old saying that's been quoted by many people over the years but Sir Winston Churchill's variation of the quote I like best and is spot on IMHO, "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it."
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 08:32:44 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 05:53:07 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:11:59 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 03:46:32 PM
If you're referring to those over each lane, such are indeed lane-arrows; I've never seen them lit either... but I've only lived in the Delaware Valley since mid-1990.  Those lights date back to the 1970s when that stretch of I-95 was built.
1990, thats over 30 years now, have said roads improved? Or still the same, Ive seen some roads in PA where potholes look like they have been there since the 90's. As far as those lights under the sign, I wonder what they look like lit up & J&N why would they not work? You would be able to clearly see them lit up.
29 years, 2020 is next year.  I-95 from I-676 southward really hasn't really changed too much since the early 1990s.  When I first moved here: the I-95/676 connection ramps weren't yet open (such opened when the Vine Expressway was fully completed), two of the I-95 South entrance ramps (one at Market St. the other at Morris St.) and the Penns Landing interchange (Exit 21) ramps weren't open yet either.  At that time, those along I-95 northbound heading towards Penns Landing exited off a ramp that dumped traffic onto Morris St. (that ramp was replaced with the current Exit 21 ramp).  Those along I-95 southbound had used Exit 22 but such only connected to Callowhill St. back then.

The 1991 opening of the eastern portion of I-676 and those ramps along the Penns Landing stretch of I-95 were a big deal back then.

Side bar: the steel truss arch for Girard Point Bridge has only been painted blue for about a decade.  Prior to that, it was painted standard DOT green.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 02:38:10 PMA city without a highway? 
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 08, 2019, 03:46:32 PMCase-and-point: I wonder how many of those the whined in protest about the Blue Route (I-476) in the Swarthmore area prior to it being built not only use that road to get to/from points north but complain about its traffic.  It was their complaints that triggered the narrowing to 4-lanes south of PA 3 (Exit 9) despite the unrestrained development that was taking place along its feeder roads (MacDade Blvd., Baltimore Pike, West Chester Pike (PA 3)).  Such was the reason why the vehicles counts soared up to it 20-year projections within its first year open.
But, you would think people would learn from past mistakes, if their parents said no to the highway & it caused issues, wouldn't the children to them now adults say yes to the improvements to fix these roads?! No we have problems on top of problems in infrastructure because people dont wanna give up 2 feet of land for 20 years of improvements.
Sadly, a lot of people don't learn from their history, and as a result similar mistakes are repeated again later on.  I've been around long enough to witness manifestations of such and I'm not just referring to roads & transportation-related subjects.

There's an old saying that's been quoted by many people over the years but Sir Winston Churchill's variation of the quote I like best and is spot on IMHO, "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it."
I like that quote, its a good one & I will now store it in my memory for generations to come.

I assume every road in PA will have to be revamped in the coming years, From Chester part of I-95 to I-295 there are problems, they are fixing them but sheesh, when you start looking at all of them the list adds on. & now im just now realizing that I-676 has only been open for 30 years, they wont redo that part for another 50!!  I also remember when the bridge was green, didnt they just repaint it a couple years ago?


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 11:15:30 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:17:46 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 03:07:28 PM
I never recall a time when they were lit.  They would essentially be useless for such a short distance without any other warnings.
why would they not work, you would be able to see them clearly if they were lit up.

Where did I say they don't work?  I simply said I've never seen them lit.  Usually with lane arrows, you need more notice than just a single arrow or X.

And they are vastly undersized, especially with today's standards.  Here's a view of them here:  https://goo.gl/maps/fCb8jEWXhet .  Here's a view of the lane status displays on the Walt Whitman Bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/YWGH9DpdS2Q2 .  You can see how much larger modern signals are.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:17:46 PM
I'll take a picture for the people, It was my first time on that road & it was very very curvy, dangerous if you're not looking lmao.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 03:07:28 PM
Going North, the road is laser straight.  Going South, there's a slight incline/decline, and maybe a slight shift due to the ramps, but otherwise no curve.

I'll grant you it's a dangerous area though, with people trying to find their proper lanes for upcoming exits and speed differences of 30+ mph between the slowest and fastest drivers!

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:17:46 PM
The road with the barrier is very curvy J&N look at the GSV from above. I think you're talking about the part when it goes by I-76.

Are we still talking about I-95 or another highway?  Here's a shot, zoomed in, of the unused lane arrows.  Where is there a curve?  Feel free to zoom out and go further back from these cut-and-cover tunnel decks to try to find any hint of a curve.

95 North:  https://goo.gl/maps/Em748vnDmkF2

95 South: https://goo.gl/maps/NgGm228fKou
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 11:23:36 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 11:15:30 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:17:46 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 03:07:28 PM
I never recall a time when they were lit.  They would essentially be useless for such a short distance without any other warnings.
why would they not work, you would be able to see them clearly if they were lit up.

Where did I say they don't work?  I simply said I've never seen them lit.  Usually with lane arrows, you need more notice than just a single arrow or X.

And they are vastly undersized, especially with today's standards.  Here's a view of them here:  https://goo.gl/maps/fCb8jEWXhet .  Here's a view of the lane status displays on the Walt Whitman Bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/YWGH9DpdS2Q2 .  You can see how much larger modern signals are.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:17:46 PM
I'll take a picture for the people, It was my first time on that road & it was very very curvy, dangerous if you're not looking lmao.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2019, 03:07:28 PM
Going North, the road is laser straight.  Going South, there's a slight incline/decline, and maybe a slight shift due to the ramps, but otherwise no curve.

I'll grant you it's a dangerous area though, with people trying to find their proper lanes for upcoming exits and speed differences of 30+ mph between the slowest and fastest drivers!

Quote from: Tonytone on March 08, 2019, 04:17:46 PM
The road with the barrier is very curvy J&N look at the GSV from above. I think you're talking about the part when it goes by I-76.

Are we still talking about I-95 or another highway?  Here's a shot, zoomed in, of the unused lane arrows.  Where is there a curve?  Feel free to zoom out and go further back from these cut-and-cover tunnel decks to try to find any hint of a curve.

95 North:  https://goo.gl/maps/Em748vnDmkF2

95 South: https://goo.gl/maps/NgGm228fKou
I was talking about Lincoln drive with the granite Jersey barrier.

Also yea those arrows are small, but I figure kit up green or red they will catch eyes, Im sure in there time of use they were bright dull. If you know what I mean by that.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: storm2k on March 18, 2019, 06:15:57 PM
Was on the western part of the Schuylkill Expwy this weekend, west of the Conshohocken curve and near the Blue Route, and noticed that PennDOT is installing variable speed limit signs there. Actually saw a work crew out there doing an install near the Blue Route interchange. Are these being put in for the entire length of the road, or just by the Curve and into the Valley Forge interchange? I know that whole area of the "Surekill" is generally a parking lot, and was wondering what the plan was there.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on March 18, 2019, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: storm2k on March 18, 2019, 06:15:57 PM
Was on the western part of the Schuylkill Expwy this weekend, west of the Conshohocken curve and near the Blue Route, and noticed that PennDOT is installing variable speed limit signs there. Actually saw a work crew out there doing an install near the Blue Route interchange. Are these being put in for the entire length of the road, or just by the Curve and into the Valley Forge interchange? I know that whole area of the "Surekill" is generally a parking lot, and was wondering what the plan was there.

The signs are going up from the Turnpike to Roosevelt Blvd.  They are also installing warning signs around the Curve to alert motorists of stopped traffic, and might be adding ramp meters and lane control signals to permit easier merging around 202 and 476.

http://transform76.com/
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 19, 2019, 02:34:58 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 18, 2019, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: storm2k on March 18, 2019, 06:15:57 PM
Was on the western part of the Schuylkill Expwy this weekend, west of the Conshohocken curve and near the Blue Route, and noticed that PennDOT is installing variable speed limit signs there. Actually saw a work crew out there doing an install near the Blue Route interchange. Are these being put in for the entire length of the road, or just by the Curve and into the Valley Forge interchange? I know that whole area of the "Surekill" is generally a parking lot, and was wondering what the plan was there.

The signs are going up from the Turnpike to Roosevelt Blvd.  They are also installing warning signs around the Curve to alert motorists of stopped traffic, and might be adding ramp meters and lane control signals to permit easier merging around 202 and 476.

http://transform76.com/
Yayyyyy, more ramp meters. We all know how excellent they work on I-476!!! Now this road will be flowing nicely. Great job Penndot. They should put ramp meters on all the philly streets aswell, Red or green, traffic is promised to flow better at Broad & Walnut if they do that!


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 19, 2019, 02:46:44 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 19, 2019, 02:34:58 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 18, 2019, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: storm2k on March 18, 2019, 06:15:57 PM
Was on the western part of the Schuylkill Expwy this weekend, west of the Conshohocken curve and near the Blue Route, and noticed that PennDOT is installing variable speed limit signs there. Actually saw a work crew out there doing an install near the Blue Route interchange. Are these being put in for the entire length of the road, or just by the Curve and into the Valley Forge interchange? I know that whole area of the "Surekill" is generally a parking lot, and was wondering what the plan was there.

The signs are going up from the Turnpike to Roosevelt Blvd.  They are also installing warning signs around the Curve to alert motorists of stopped traffic, and might be adding ramp meters and lane control signals to permit easier merging around 202 and 476.

http://transform76.com/
Yayyyyy, more ramp meters. We all know how excellent they work on I-476!!! Now this road will be flowing nicely. Great job Penndot. They should put ramp meters on all the philly streets aswell, Red or green, traffic is promised to flow better at Broad & Walnut if they do that!


iPhone

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm there?   LOL

For the amount of traffic already on the highway, I do agree though.  Ramp meters can bottleneck up traffic prior to it getting on the highway allowing for the highway to keep moving, but for the amount of traffic already on 76 coming from Center City or King of Prussia and the miles of congestion that already exists, the ramp meters aren't going to have much effect on reducing congestion.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 19, 2019, 02:52:11 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 19, 2019, 02:46:44 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 19, 2019, 02:34:58 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 18, 2019, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: storm2k on March 18, 2019, 06:15:57 PM
Was on the western part of the Schuylkill Expwy this weekend, west of the Conshohocken curve and near the Blue Route, and noticed that PennDOT is installing variable speed limit signs there. Actually saw a work crew out there doing an install near the Blue Route interchange. Are these being put in for the entire length of the road, or just by the Curve and into the Valley Forge interchange? I know that whole area of the "Surekill" is generally a parking lot, and was wondering what the plan was there.

The signs are going up from the Turnpike to Roosevelt Blvd.  They are also installing warning signs around the Curve to alert motorists of stopped traffic, and might be adding ramp meters and lane control signals to permit easier merging around 202 and 476.

http://transform76.com/
Yayyyyy, more ramp meters. We all know how excellent they work on I-476!!! Now this road will be flowing nicely. Great job Penndot. They should put ramp meters on all the philly streets aswell, Red or green, traffic is promised to flow better at Broad & Walnut if they do that!


iPhone

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm there?   LOL

For the amount of traffic already on the highway, I do agree though.  Ramp meters can bottleneck up traffic prior to it getting on the highway allowing for the highway to keep moving, but for the amount of traffic already on 76 coming from Center City or King of Prussia and the miles of congestion that already exists, the ramp meters aren't going to have much effect on reducing congestion.
Yes plenty of sarcasm to go around .

But really, they should save that money for adding another lane or for studies on how to improve the highway. You would think Ramp meters are pretty outdated by now. Next thing you know we are going to see Traffic lights on the 76


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 19, 2019, 02:56:23 PM
Evidence on the Trolley Stations that were supposed to be @ the Ben Frank Bridge

https://www.phillyvoice.com/art-museum-ben-franklin-bridge/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://www.phillyvoice.com/art-museum-ben-franklin-bridge/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 19, 2019, 02:56:55 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 18, 2019, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: storm2k on March 18, 2019, 06:15:57 PM
Was on the western part of the Schuylkill Expwy this weekend, west of the Conshohocken curve and near the Blue Route, and noticed that PennDOT is installing variable speed limit signs there. Actually saw a work crew out there doing an install near the Blue Route interchange. Are these being put in for the entire length of the road, or just by the Curve and into the Valley Forge interchange? I know that whole area of the "Surekill" is generally a parking lot, and was wondering what the plan was there.

The signs are going up from the Turnpike to Roosevelt Blvd.  They are also installing warning signs around the Curve to alert motorists of stopped traffic, and might be adding ramp meters and lane control signals to permit easier merging around 202 and 476.

http://transform76.com/
Another item I saw in the link... Flex Lanes; lanes that will only be open/used when the conditions demand for such.  Without actually stating it; such sounds like a plan to utilize the breakdown shoulder for traffic use.  Truth be told, the 4-lane portion of I-76/Schuylkill Expressway has been obsolete for decades.  It was sized under the premise/assumption that other highways would later be built.  That said, the Flex Lane plan would likely mean that those lanes would be open to traffic close to 24/7.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 19, 2019, 03:02:59 PM
Speed Cameras on Roosevelt Blvd, will this help or hurt?

https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/comments/b183v3/bill_introduced_in_city_council_to_allow_speed/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/comments/b183v3/bill_introduced_in_city_council_to_allow_speed/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 19, 2019, 03:10:20 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 19, 2019, 02:56:55 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 18, 2019, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: storm2k on March 18, 2019, 06:15:57 PM
Was on the western part of the Schuylkill Expwy this weekend, west of the Conshohocken curve and near the Blue Route, and noticed that PennDOT is installing variable speed limit signs there. Actually saw a work crew out there doing an install near the Blue Route interchange. Are these being put in for the entire length of the road, or just by the Curve and into the Valley Forge interchange? I know that whole area of the "Surekill" is generally a parking lot, and was wondering what the plan was there.

The signs are going up from the Turnpike to Roosevelt Blvd.  They are also installing warning signs around the Curve to alert motorists of stopped traffic, and might be adding ramp meters and lane control signals to permit easier merging around 202 and 476.

http://transform76.com/
Another item I saw in the link... Flex Lanes; lanes that will only be open/used when the conditions demand for such.  Without actually stating it; such sounds like a plan to utilize the breakdown shoulder for traffic use.  Truth be told, the 4-lane portion of I-76/Schuylkill Expressway has been obsolete for decades.  It was sized under the premise/assumption that other highways would later be built.  That said, the Flex Lane plan would likely mean that those lanes would be open to traffic close to 24/7.

Yeah, definitely mean the shoulders there.  Normally it would be rush hours only, but the amount of traffic on 76 would dictate they're going to be open much of the day.

Traffic does dramatically decrease at night though, especially when no big events are going on.  Heck - I found my favorite time to be on the Schuylkill is about 6am on a Sunday.  80 mph is easily attainable then!  But that said, it's also common to find people going 50 or 55 mph poking along in the left lane at that time of day too.  Add a few more hours to the day with that type of congestion-causing traffic, and suddenly you have a jammed highway that should be moving well otherwise if it wasn't for LLDs.

Here's the big downside: Once you install them, it's tough to keep people off the shoulder when the lane is closed, regardless of the overhead indicator.  And according to the map they're going to be permitted in two areas, which means they're going to have people riding the shoulder in-between the active-shoulder lane areas.

Quote from: Tonytone on March 19, 2019, 03:02:59 PM
Speed Cameras on Roosevelt Blvd, will this help or hurt?

When the majority of pedestrian accidents are caused by jaywalking, it's not going to help.  This is a problem of Philly's own making - they've reduced the speed limit to appease those that want the limit reduced, but as is traditionally the case, reducing the limit in of itself doesn't tend to have much effect on actual speeds.  If over 90% of the traffic is going 10 mph or more over the limit, the city is going to bring in a whole slew of money...at least at first.  But even if you got everyone to go at or under the speed limit, and pedestrians are still jaywalking, the problem will continue.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 28, 2019, 09:17:56 PM
Look at this.

http://www.drpa.org/pdfs/55survey_altpa1.pdf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (http://www.drpa.org/pdfs/55survey_altpa1.pdf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/10/27/philadelphia-selects-waterfront-transit-alignment/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/10/27/philadelphia-selects-waterfront-transit-alignment/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

https://i1.wp.com/www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/existing-plans-for-transit-network.jpg?resize=966,1024&ssl=1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://i1.wp.com/www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/existing-plans-for-transit-network.jpg?resize=966,1024&ssl=1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

A trolley at the waterfront will be indeed a improvement.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: qguy on March 29, 2019, 07:24:33 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 28, 2019, 09:17:56 PM
Look at this.

http://www.drpa.org/pdfs/55survey_altpa1.pdf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (http://www.drpa.org/pdfs/55survey_altpa1.pdf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/10/27/philadelphia-selects-waterfront-transit-alignment/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/10/27/philadelphia-selects-waterfront-transit-alignment/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

https://i1.wp.com/www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/existing-plans-for-transit-network.jpg?resize=966,1024&ssl=1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://i1.wp.com/www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/existing-plans-for-transit-network.jpg?resize=966,1024&ssl=1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

A trolley at the waterfront will be indeed a improvement.


iPhone

It would be great, but that's old news from 2009. Since then, that proposal has disappeared like a rock dropped in a river. It's not likely to happen.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Verlanka on March 29, 2019, 08:05:02 AM
Quote from: qguy on March 29, 2019, 07:24:33 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 28, 2019, 09:17:56 PM
Look at this.

http://www.drpa.org/pdfs/55survey_altpa1.pdf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (http://www.drpa.org/pdfs/55survey_altpa1.pdf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/10/27/philadelphia-selects-waterfront-transit-alignment/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/10/27/philadelphia-selects-waterfront-transit-alignment/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

https://i1.wp.com/www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/existing-plans-for-transit-network.jpg?resize=966,1024&ssl=1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app (https://i1.wp.com/www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/existing-plans-for-transit-network.jpg?resize=966,1024&ssl=1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app)

A trolley at the waterfront will be indeed a improvement.


iPhone

It would be great, but that's old news from 2009. Since then, that proposal has disappeared like a rock dropped in a river. It's not likely to happen.

Then why am I hearing about it for the first time?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 29, 2019, 08:11:36 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 28, 2019, 09:17:56 PM
A trolley at the waterfront will be indeed a improvement.

In what way?

As pointed out, these articles and proposals were done in or before 2009. 

What also didn't exist before 2009:  Uber & Lyft.

Transportation is a different animal today.  People can pay $2.50 to jump on a subway or bus, yet many prefer the door-to-door service of rideshare.  That's even taking into consideration the cost is, at the absolute minimum, 3 times greater for one person.  However if you're with a group of friends, the overall cost may not be much higher, and much more convenient.

Quote from: Verlanka on March 29, 2019, 08:05:02 AM
Then why am I hearing about it for the first time?

Maybe you didn't follow the news back then?  I don't think we can answer that question for you - there are a ton of news references to the various Delaware Ave projects thru the years, including this one.  Heck, Tony managed to pull up 3 of them alone.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on April 03, 2019, 12:02:09 AM
Thank you J&N ive been learning how to forum, check these side by side photos out of philly 

1964
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190403/95814788999d222c35a0a6520130c4da.jpg)

1970
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190403/a6c65dac10c8c5621ebe028ccfdf5388.jpg)


Now
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190403/4ed060d26217671afa3ef7faf293bc3a.jpg)




iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on April 04, 2019, 12:06:38 AM
https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=4340
Start of Construction to Rehabilitate I-76 Viaducts in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties
03/22/2019

King of Prussia, PA — The Wolf Administration announced today that construction will begin Thursday night, April 4, on a project to rehabilitate two Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) viaducts, including the 6,120-foot-long structure between Interstate 676 and University Avenue in Center City Philadelphia and a 345-foot-long structure over Route 23 and Arrowmink Creek in West Conshohocken Borough, Montgomery County.

"Pennsylvania's ongoing bridge inspection program has been closely monitoring these heavily-used, 60-plus year-old structures to ensure that they continue to function as designed,"  Governor Tom Wolf said. "Their analysis of the hundreds of structural components that comprise each viaduct points to the need to address the inevitable deterioration now so as to safely handle the demands of tens of thousands of motorists who use the Schuylkill Expressway each day."

The two-year project will require numerous overnight single lane closures and full closures in one direction at a time, as well as a limited number of weekend daytime single lane closures or full overnight closures on either the eastbound or westbound expressway in Center City.

For the first two weeks of construction, the contractor will be working on Thursday through Sunday nights on both the eastbound side and westbound side of I-76 in Philadelphia to clear work zone drainage inlets, complete surveying activities, and perform other preliminary work items prior to the start of repairs on the eastbound side of the viaduct that will continue through the end of 2019.

Under this project, PennDOT will rehabilitate the 289-span Center City Philadelphia viaduct and the three-span Montgomery County bridge over the 2019 and 2020 construction seasons by repairing or replacing the concrete decks' expansion joints; repairing deteriorated sections of their concrete decks; rehabilitating numerous piers, columns and other sub-structure components; repairing the viaducts' drainage systems; and repaving the decks with a concrete overlay.

Repairs to the eastbound side of the Center City viaduct are scheduled to be completed in 2019. Repairs to the westbound side of the Center City viaduct will finish in 2020. 

Repairs to the structure in West Conshohocken Borough are expected to begin in May or June 2019 and will be completed by November 2019. These repairs will be done using single lane overnight closures seven days a week between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM. 

During repairs to the Center City structure, one side of the expressway at a time will be reduced to a single lane or closed completely overnight. In addition, one side of the expressway at a time will be reduced to a single lane during weekend daytime hours a minimum of 10 times eastbound (in 2019) and 10 times westbound (2020) on non-holiday and select weekends. 


For information about the project, including each week's planned lane restrictions and/or closings, visit www.I76viaduct.com.
. . . . .

The University Avenue Viaduct was redecked in the mid-1970s, the reinforced concrete bridge was demolished and replaced.  Has there been another deck replacement since then?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on April 04, 2019, 06:06:44 AM
The Center City viaduct will no doubt be the worst inconvenience and headache for everyone - there isn't even a shoulder along most of it to assist with pushing people over during lane closures.  The workers will have absolutely no margin of safety in this area, except during full closures.  The congestion on those weekends with lane closures will be chaotic as well.  The best move will be to take 95 to 676 and cross over that way, even though 676 is still jammed its full length between 76 and 95 many weekends as well.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on April 04, 2019, 06:39:07 AM
https://i76viaduct.com/project-information/

The 6,120 foot-long Center City structure consists of 289 spans (the distance between support piers) of reinforced concrete pavement slabs.  It was built in 1958.  The bridge in Conshohocken, built in the early 1960s, consists of two spans of reinforced concrete pavement slabs.  Both viaducts were significantly rehabilitated in 1985 during PennDOT's Schuylkill Expressway Reconstruction Project.

While the current rehabilitation project does not include replacement of either structure's concrete deck – a lengthy demolition and reconstruction process that would create significant travel impacts across the region – PennDOT is making a number of significant repairs to the decks and structural components of these important structures. 

. . . . .

The Schuylkill Expressway/I-76 in the Center City project area carries 130,000 vehicles a day (Average Daily Traffic) on two lanes in each direction.

[[Shameful!  -- SMS]]
. . . . .

https://i76viaduct.com/

With this project, PennDOT is extending the life of the structures by:
-- Repairing the decks' expansion joints;
-- Repairing deteriorated sections of the concrete decks;
-- Repairing components of the sub-structures;
-- Repairing the viaducts' drainage systems; and
-- Repaving the Center City viaduct with a concrete overlay.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: goobnav on April 04, 2019, 12:49:02 PM
Quote from: Beltway on April 04, 2019, 06:39:07 AM
https://i76viaduct.com/project-information/

The 6,120 foot-long Center City structure consists of 289 spans (the distance between support piers) of reinforced concrete pavement slabs.  It was built in 1958.  The bridge in Conshohocken, built in the early 1960s, consists of two spans of reinforced concrete pavement slabs.  Both viaducts were significantly rehabilitated in 1985 during PennDOT's Schuylkill Expressway Reconstruction Project.

While the current rehabilitation project does not include replacement of either structure's concrete deck – a lengthy demolition and reconstruction process that would create significant travel impacts across the region – PennDOT is making a number of significant repairs to the decks and structural components of these important structures. 

. . . . .

The Schuylkill Expressway/I-76 in the Center City project area carries 130,000 vehicles a day (Average Daily Traffic) on two lanes in each direction.

[[Shameful!  -- SMS]]
. . . . .

https://i76viaduct.com/

With this project, PennDOT is extending the life of the structures by:
-- Repairing the decks' expansion joints;
-- Repairing deteriorated sections of the concrete decks;
-- Repairing components of the sub-structures;
-- Repairing the viaducts' drainage systems; and
-- Repaving the Center City viaduct with a concrete overlay.



No PennDot, see I-81 in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.  Deferred maintenance is the way in PA. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on April 18, 2019, 12:41:28 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 29, 2019, 08:11:36 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 28, 2019, 09:17:56 PM
A trolley at the waterfront will be indeed a improvement.

In what way?

As pointed out, these articles and proposals were done in or before 2009. 

What also didn't exist before 2009:  Uber & Lyft.

Transportation is a different animal today.  People can pay $2.50 to jump on a subway or bus, yet many prefer the door-to-door service of rideshare.  That's even taking into consideration the cost is, at the absolute minimum, 3 times greater for one person.  However if you're with a group of friends, the overall cost may not be much higher, and much more convenient.

Quote from: Verlanka on March 29, 2019, 08:05:02 AM
Then why am I hearing about it for the first time?

Maybe you didn't follow the news back then?  I don't think we can answer that question for you - there are a ton of news references to the various Delaware Ave projects thru the years, including this one.  Heck, Tony managed to pull up 3 of them alone.
If they create this Trolley at the riverfront we will see another area of Philly start to boom. Traffic is always dead around the shopping center with the Ikea. So whatever happens on the water wide with all the old warehouses will be interesting.

Also this would fill in gaps in the light rail system. It would connect to spring garden station & in the future it will probably connect to the stadiums. This will hopefully kill car traffic around the Port Penn area.


Uber & Lyft are beneficial. There are Pros & Cons to it aswell just like everything else, but most people would have no problem hopping on mass transit if it is cheaper & easier to use thus service. People like walking in cities more than driving.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on April 24, 2019, 04:00:05 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on April 18, 2019, 12:41:28 PMIf they create this Trolley at the riverfront we will see another area of Philly start to boom.
Starting? You clearly haven't been along Columbus Blvd. as of late.  There's been some sizable development in the Penns Landing area.

Quote from: Tonytone on April 18, 2019, 12:41:28 PMTraffic is always dead around the shopping center with the Ikea. So whatever happens on the water wide with all the old warehouses will be interesting.
Many of those old warehouses & the surrounding lots are still in active use.  If one looks via the various GSVs; there's plenty of parked cars in those lots.  As towards why that lower-stretch of Columbus Blvd. is dead traffic-wise.  It's largely because most if not all of the through-traffic in the area uses I-95.  If such were to close due to either an accident or construction project; trust me, Columbus Blvd. (which turns into Pattison Ave.) would see a surge of traffic.  Keep in mind that Columbus Blvd. (then known as Delaware Ave.) was the main north-south artery along the Delaware prior to I-95 being built and was likely sized with such in mind back then.

Quote from: Tonytone on April 18, 2019, 12:41:28 PMAlso this would fill in gaps in the light rail system. It would connect to spring garden station & in the future it will probably connect to the stadiums. This will hopefully kill car traffic around the Port Penn area.
Do keep in mind that such would be run by SEPTA; which has a checkered history with the city particularly when it comes to work-stoppage-related strikes (more strikes than any other transit agency in the nation) and not really being up to the challenge as of late when it comes to large scale events (2018 Eagles parade, 2016 DNC Convention, 2015 Papal Visit, 2008 Phillies parade) taking place.

Quote from: Tonytone on April 18, 2019, 12:41:28 PMUber & Lyft are beneficial. There are Pros & Cons to it aswell just like everything else, but most people would have no problem hopping on mass transit if it is cheaper & easier to use thus service.
See above.  Mass transit, SEPTA being the case for Greater Philadelphia, operates via a hub-and-spoke model.  In contrast, taxis & ride-sharing service like Uber & Lyft operate in a point-to-point manner.  Meaning if one's destination from one's origin involves multiple transfers via transit; ride-sharing services wins hands-down... especially if people travel in groups (families for example).

Quote from: Tonytone on April 18, 2019, 12:41:28 PMPeople like walking in cities more than driving.
Provided that everything is within reasonable proximity to each other.  I somehow don't see one walking from Ikea to the Sugarhouse Casino (some 3-1/2 miles one-way) out of necessity.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/work-has-begun-202-route-1-penndot-says-theyre-far-done

From the article:

QuoteThe following are projects PennDOT has planned:

Currently under construction:

US-1 corridor improvement in Bucks County ($97.3 million)

US-30 Intelligent Transportation Systems in Chester County ($5.8 million)

Route-252 bridge replacement over Springton Reservior in Delaware County ($12.8 million)

US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($55.5 million)

US-1 Wayne Junction viaduct rehabilitation in Philadelphia ($88.4 million)

Future Projects expected to begin this year:

Route-309 corridor improvements in Bucks County ($70 million)

Humeville Ave over CSX tracks bridge replacement in Bucks County ($4.7 million)

Lenape Road over Brandywine Creek bridge restoration in Chester County ($5 million)

Bridge Street over Amtrak bridge replacement in Chester County ($6 million)

Darby Paoli Road over Darby Creek bridge replacement in Delaware County ($3.8 million)

McDade Boulevard intersection improvements in Delaware County ($6 million)

Route-309 intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($7.5 million)

US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($61.5 million)

I-76 viaducts rehabilitation in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties ($39.7 million)

[I inserted spacing between the lines for greater clarity.]

Notice the lack of details as to specific segments.  For example, does anyone on this site know the location of the 202 improvements in Montco?  I assume they are on the wagon path between Norristown and Montgomeryville.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on April 25, 2019, 10:10:14 AM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/work-has-begun-202-route-1-penndot-says-theyre-far-done

From the article:

QuoteThe following are projects PennDOT has planned:

Currently under construction:

US-1 corridor improvement in Bucks County ($97.3 million)

US-30 Intelligent Transportation Systems in Chester County ($5.8 million)

Route-252 bridge replacement over Springton Reservior in Delaware County ($12.8 million)

US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($55.5 million)

US-1 Wayne Junction viaduct rehabilitation in Philadelphia ($88.4 million)

Future Projects expected to begin this year:

Route-309 corridor improvements in Bucks County ($70 million)

Humeville Ave over CSX tracks bridge replacement in Bucks County ($4.7 million)

Lenape Road over Brandywine Creek bridge restoration in Chester County ($5 million)

Bridge Street over Amtrak bridge replacement in Chester County ($6 million)

Darby Paoli Road over Darby Creek bridge replacement in Delaware County ($3.8 million)

McDade Boulevard intersection improvements in Delaware County ($6 million)

Route-309 intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($7.5 million)

US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($61.5 million)

I-76 viaducts rehabilitation in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties ($39.7 million)

[I inserted spacing between the lines for greater clarity.]

Notice the lack of details as to specific segments.  For example, does anyone on this site know the location of the 202 improvements in Montco?  I assume they are on the wagon path between Norristown and Montgomeryville.

ixnay

Yes...they are starting a multi-year widening on US 202 between Norristown and Montgomeryville.

Note that they are also starting on reconstructing, modernizing, and partial widening US 1 in Bucks County.

And the US 30 ITS project is in advance of the upcoming reconstruction, modernizing, and partial widening of the US 30 freeway.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on April 25, 2019, 10:21:10 AM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/work-has-begun-202-route-1-penndot-says-theyre-far-done
From the article:
QuoteFuture Projects expected to begin this year:
...
McDade Boulevard intersection improvements in Delaware County ($6 million)
Two things/issues here:
1.  It's MacDade Boulevard not McDade.  Whoever typed that must either be very new to the area.

2.  Which intersection is getting the improvements?  Since the word intersection was used as opposed to the plural intersections; one has to assume upon reading the above that only one intersection will be worked on.  MacDade Blvd. is about 7 miles long between the Philly and Chester borders.  Could PennDOT be any more vague?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on April 25, 2019, 10:33:29 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 25, 2019, 10:21:10 AM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/work-has-begun-202-route-1-penndot-says-theyre-far-done
From the article:
QuoteFuture Projects expected to begin this year:
...
McDade Boulevard intersection improvements in Delaware County ($6 million)
Two things/issues here:
1.  It's MacDade Boulevard not McDade.  Whoever typed that must either be very new to the area.

2.  Which intersection is getting the improvements?  Since the word intersection was used as opposed to the plural intersections; one has to assume upon reading the above that only one intersection will be worked on.  MacDade Blvd. is about 7 miles long between the Philly and Chester borders.  Could PennDOT be any more vague?

"Intersections improvements" would be grammatically incorrect. "Intersection" has to be singular no matter how many they're actually referring to. My guess is, if it were only one intersection, they would have specifically listed it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 10:56:02 AM
QuoteTwo things/issues here:
1.  It's MacDade Boulevard not McDade.  Whoever typed that must either be very new to the area.

2.  Which intersection is getting the improvements?  Since the word intersection was used as opposed to the plural intersections; one has to assume upon reading the above that only one intersection will be worked on.  MacDade Blvd. is about 7 miles long between the Philly and Chester borders.  Could PennDOT be any more vague?

Or else whoever typed it must have grown up in NePA, home of this late congressman.  Iykwim.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_M._McDade

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:17:35 PM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
Quote
US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($55.5 million)
Notice the lack of details as to specific segments.  For example, does anyone on this site know the location of the 202 improvements in Montco?  I assume they are on the wagon path between Norristown and Montgomeryville.

This project site?  Are they widening it to 4 thru lanes thruout?

https://www.us202.com/us-202-600
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on April 25, 2019, 01:20:31 PM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:17:35 PM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
Quote
US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($55.5 million)
Notice the lack of details as to specific segments.  For example, does anyone on this site know the location of the 202 improvements in Montco?  I assume they are on the wagon path between Norristown and Montgomeryville.

This project site?  Are they widening it to 4 thru lanes thruout?

https://www.us202.com/us-202-600

Yes and yes.  4 lanes and in some cases an added TWLTL.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
Quote from: jemacedo9 on April 25, 2019, 01:20:31 PM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:17:35 PM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
Quote
US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($55.5 million)
Notice the lack of details as to specific segments.  For example, does anyone on this site know the location of the 202 improvements in Montco?  I assume they are on the wagon path between Norristown and Montgomeryville.
This project site?  Are they widening it to 4 thru lanes thruout?
https://www.us202.com/us-202-600
Yes and yes.  4 lanes and in some cases an added TWLTL.

That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on April 25, 2019, 01:43:28 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on April 25, 2019, 10:33:29 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 25, 2019, 10:21:10 AM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/work-has-begun-202-route-1-penndot-says-theyre-far-done
From the article:
QuoteFuture Projects expected to begin this year:
...
McDade Boulevard intersection improvements in Delaware County ($6 million)
Two things/issues here:
1.  It's MacDade Boulevard not McDade.  Whoever typed that must either be very new to the area.

2.  Which intersection is getting the improvements?  Since the word intersection was used as opposed to the plural intersections; one has to assume upon reading the above that only one intersection will be worked on.  MacDade Blvd. is about 7 miles long between the Philly and Chester borders.  Could PennDOT be any more vague?

"Intersections improvements" would be grammatically incorrect. "Intersection" has to be singular no matter how many they're actually referring to.
A better way of phrasing such if indeed more than one intersection is being worked on would've been Improvements to intersections.

Quote from: ekt8750 on April 25, 2019, 10:33:29 AM
My guess is, if it were only one intersection, they would have specifically listed it.
Do keep in mind that we're talking about PennDOT here.  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on April 25, 2019, 03:35:05 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 25, 2019, 01:43:28 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on April 25, 2019, 10:33:29 AM
My guess is, if it were only one intersection, they would have specifically listed it.
Do keep in mind that we're talking about PennDOT here.  :sombrero:

Touche
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on April 26, 2019, 12:29:06 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
Quote from: jemacedo9 on April 25, 2019, 01:20:31 PM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:17:35 PM
Quote from: ixnay on April 25, 2019, 09:28:36 AM
Quote
US-202 widening and intersection improvements in Montgomery County ($55.5 million)
Notice the lack of details as to specific segments.  For example, does anyone on this site know the location of the 202 improvements in Montco?  I assume they are on the wagon path between Norristown and Montgomeryville.
This project site?  Are they widening it to 4 thru lanes thruout?
https://www.us202.com/us-202-600
Yes and yes.  4 lanes and in some cases an added TWLTL.

That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Would be nice if they could connect all that to the freeway in NJ.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on April 26, 2019, 12:37:14 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 26, 2019, 12:29:06 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Would be nice if they could connect all that to the freeway in NJ.

That was the original plan in the 1970s, build a US-202 Expressway all the way between Valley Forge and NJ.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 10:00:42 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 26, 2019, 12:37:14 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 26, 2019, 12:29:06 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Would be nice if they could connect all that to the freeway in NJ.

That was the original plan in the 1970s, build a US-202 Expressway all the way between Valley Forge and NJ.
IIRC, one ultimate plan but likely not to be fulfilled would've been to have all of US 202 in PA be an Expressway.  Such a plan would've made US 202 an outer belt expressway around Philadelphia similar to what I-495 in MA is with respect to Boston.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on April 26, 2019, 11:50:00 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 10:00:42 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 26, 2019, 12:37:14 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 26, 2019, 12:29:06 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Would be nice if they could connect all that to the freeway in NJ.

That was the original plan in the 1970s, build a US-202 Expressway all the way between Valley Forge and NJ.
IIRC, one ultimate plan but likely not to be fulfilled would've been to have all of US 202 in PA be an Expressway.  Such a plan would've made US 202 an outer belt expressway around Philadelphia similar to what I-495 in MA is with respect to Boston.

Philadelphia and NYC together with I-287. The expressway would've continued south from West Chester and ended at I-95, probably at the existing I-95/US 202 interchange in Wilmington. The expressway would've been what the cancelled DE 141 expressway would've ended at.

Apparently PennDOT still had plans to extend the expressway south to near the state line as late as the late '90s or early '00s, but obviously this was cancelled. I also saw a study for six-laning US 202 between US 1 and the start of the expressway, including SPUIs at US 1 and PA 926, but I have no idea how actively this is still being planned.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 12:08:34 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on April 26, 2019, 11:50:00 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 10:00:42 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 26, 2019, 12:37:14 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 26, 2019, 12:29:06 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Would be nice if they could connect all that to the freeway in NJ.

That was the original plan in the 1970s, build a US-202 Expressway all the way between Valley Forge and NJ.
IIRC, one ultimate plan but likely not to be fulfilled would've been to have all of US 202 in PA be an Expressway.  Such a plan would've made US 202 an outer belt expressway around Philadelphia similar to what I-495 in MA is with respect to Boston.

Philadelphia and NYC together with I-287.
Had such been in place; I wouldn't have to use the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway at all for my Philly-New England trips.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on April 26, 2019, 01:25:23 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 12:08:34 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on April 26, 2019, 11:50:00 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 10:00:42 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 26, 2019, 12:37:14 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 26, 2019, 12:29:06 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Would be nice if they could connect all that to the freeway in NJ.

That was the original plan in the 1970s, build a US-202 Expressway all the way between Valley Forge and NJ.
IIRC, one ultimate plan but likely not to be fulfilled would've been to have all of US 202 in PA be an Expressway.  Such a plan would've made US 202 an outer belt expressway around Philadelphia similar to what I-495 in MA is with respect to Boston.

Philadelphia and NYC together with I-287.
Had such been in place; I wouldn't have to use the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway at all for my Philly-New England trips.

The entire NJ/NY region would've been bypassed, to the point where it may not have been a worthwhile alternative if *everyone* was using the bypass!!!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 01:31:48 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 26, 2019, 01:25:23 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 12:08:34 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on April 26, 2019, 11:50:00 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 26, 2019, 10:00:42 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 26, 2019, 12:37:14 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 26, 2019, 12:29:06 AM
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:25:56 PM
That will definitely be an improvement, resulting in effectively 4 lanes or more on US-202 all the way thru Norristown as well as to the new US-202 parkway segment at Montgomeryville.
Would be nice if they could connect all that to the freeway in NJ.

That was the original plan in the 1970s, build a US-202 Expressway all the way between Valley Forge and NJ.
IIRC, one ultimate plan but likely not to be fulfilled would've been to have all of US 202 in PA be an Expressway.  Such a plan would've made US 202 an outer belt expressway around Philadelphia similar to what I-495 in MA is with respect to Boston.

Philadelphia and NYC together with I-287.
Had such been in place; I wouldn't have to use the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway at all for my Philly-New England trips.

The entire NJ/NY region would've been bypassed, to the point where it may not have been a worthwhile alternative if *everyone* was using the bypass!!!
Not necessarily.  The NJ/NY is still densely populated enough to have traffic on its roadways; the only change would be that it would be more O&D along with regional through-traffic rather than long-distance through traffic.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on August 26, 2019, 08:03:20 AM
Either this is an accident or PennDOT changed its policies, but a temporary signal on US 202 in Chester County is flashing a red arrow when the thru directions have flashing yellow balls.  I know PennDOT's policy has been to not flash lights for turn signals (though most of them have been red balls up until now) so maybe this will change for when lights with red arrows go into flash mode.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: storm2k on September 01, 2019, 02:17:38 PM
Found a random button copy sign bridge still standing on PA611 approaching Pattinson Ave in Philadelphia near the sports complex.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48660639047_2820342d85_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8YuFi)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on September 02, 2019, 08:49:04 AM
Quote from: storm2k on September 01, 2019, 02:17:38 PM
Found a random button copy sign bridge still standing on PA611 approaching Pattinson Ave in Philadelphia near the sports complex.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48660639047_2820342d85_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8YuFi)

You can see the button copy better on GSV.

However, the bottom word (which I assume refers to long gone Veterans Stadium) on the left most sign has needed pluralization since 2003 when the Eagles moved to the Linc. :) The Phils moved to Citizens Bank Park in 2004.  The Vet was imploded a week or so before the first game at CBP.

The signs and gantry appear to be in good condition, though.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on September 02, 2019, 09:42:41 AM
Quote from: storm2k on September 01, 2019, 02:17:38 PM
Found a random button copy sign bridge still standing on PA611 approaching Pattinson Ave in Philadelphia near the sports complex.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48660639047_2820342d85_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8YuFi)

Yep...drive and walk by this sign way more times than I can count!

They have added a lot more overhead signage in the sports complex over the past several years.  Except...after many events, the police prohibit turns and close streets, making much of the overhead signage useless!

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on September 03, 2019, 09:25:44 AM
Quote from: storm2k on September 01, 2019, 02:17:38 PM
Found a random button copy sign bridge still standing on PA611 approaching Pattinson Ave in Philadelphia near the sports complex.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48660639047_2820342d85_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8YuFi)
It's worth noting that those I-shields are recent replacements circa 2017-2018.  The original ones featured the PennDOT-exclusive wider stroked numerals. 
2009 GSV of the same gantry with the original I-shields. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066764,-75.173836,3a,75y,183.85h,84.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sxvXJ04a89798cA45g8EgpQ!2e0!5s20090501T000000!7i3328!8i1664)  Later GSVs through 2016 show how much those original I-shields deteriorated.

The sign panels & gantry date back to the early-to-mid 1970s.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on September 03, 2019, 02:54:10 PM
How many button copy signs are left on Roosevelt Blvd?  I know a lot have been replaced recently.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4379/36499834831_8c5187f2be_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XBncg6)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on September 03, 2019, 04:03:17 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on September 03, 2019, 02:54:10 PM
How many button copy signs are left on Roosevelt Blvd?  I know a lot have been replaced recently.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4379/36499834831_8c5187f2be_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XBncg6)
As of Nov. 2018; that assembly you posted is still there (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0208143,-75.14167,3a,75y,234.75h,89.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjy5ddM64EFp6W0Og1cHBDw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 03, 2019, 05:16:23 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on September 03, 2019, 04:03:17 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on September 03, 2019, 02:54:10 PM
How many button copy signs are left on Roosevelt Blvd?  I know a lot have been replaced recently.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4379/36499834831_8c5187f2be_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XBncg6)
As of Nov. 2018; that assembly you posted is still there (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0208143,-75.14167,3a,75y,234.75h,89.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjy5ddM64EFp6W0Og1cHBDw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

I'm pretty sure this was replaced earlier this year.
Title: Schulykill Expressway signs
Post by: Alex on September 09, 2019, 09:38:05 AM
Bob emailed me a few photos of the sign replacements along the Schuylkill Expressway from last week.

I-76 east at 28th Street

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/gallery/10_09_09_19_8_06_54.jpeg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/gallery/10_09_09_19_8_07_49.jpeg)
Replacements of the eastbound overheads for Penrose and Passyunk Avenues:

Quote from: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:21:40 PM
Finally got a chance to get decent pics of the new signed on I-76 EB:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/31535164987_6106574ebe_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q3DXTa)

As you can see the 1/4 mi advance signs for Exits 347A-B haven't been replaced as of yet. I do hope that they warn of the height restriction for 347A a lot sooner than the exit gore cause as of right now that's the first indication of a height restriction and having that exit as part of my commute home, I've seen many a semi get stuck under there.

Out of view here, but the Old Exit 43A sign is still in place as of September 4, 2019.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/gallery/10_09_09_19_8_08_47.jpeg)

Quote from: ekt8750 on December 26, 2018, 01:21:40 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4842/31535256497_56431d1a1f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q3Er5V)

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Roadsguy on September 09, 2019, 10:05:59 AM
I'm still curious why those signs have rounded corners since I haven't seen any PennDOT signs put up with them since, and those signs are all before the DRPA-maintained section of the expressway.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on September 09, 2019, 02:38:09 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 09, 2019, 10:05:59 AM
I'm still curious why those signs have rounded corners since I haven't seen any PennDOT signs put up with them since, and those signs are all before the DRPA-maintained section of the expressway.
Because corners can hurt the baby!


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: storm2k on September 09, 2019, 10:24:03 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 09, 2019, 10:05:59 AM
I'm still curious why those signs have rounded corners since I haven't seen any PennDOT signs put up with them since, and those signs are all before the DRPA-maintained section of the expressway.

I almost wonder if that's a contractor error? PennDOT has never embraced actual roundrects, but has used the rectangular signs with roundrect borders for many years. Also see they kept the unique center aligned exit tab for the Passyunk Ave exit due to the interesting geometry there.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 10, 2019, 10:02:03 AM
Quote from: storm2k on September 09, 2019, 10:24:03 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 09, 2019, 10:05:59 AM
I'm still curious why those signs have rounded corners since I haven't seen any PennDOT signs put up with them since, and those signs are all before the DRPA-maintained section of the expressway.

I almost wonder if that's a contractor error? PennDOT has never embraced actual roundrects, but has used the rectangular signs with roundrect borders for many years.

I'm not so sure. This sign here (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.005952,-75.1964405,3a,75y,287.83h,104.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdNCRAiVhVqlDsTqjY3vHOA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) was finally put out of its misery and replaced with one with rounded corners as well.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on September 10, 2019, 10:17:34 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on September 10, 2019, 10:02:03 AM
Quote from: storm2k on September 09, 2019, 10:24:03 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 09, 2019, 10:05:59 AM
I'm still curious why those signs have rounded corners since I haven't seen any PennDOT signs put up with them since, and those signs are all before the DRPA-maintained section of the expressway.

I almost wonder if that's a contractor error? PennDOT has never embraced actual roundrects, but has used the rectangular signs with roundrect borders for many years.

I'm not so sure. This sign here (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.005952,-75.1964405,3a,75y,287.83h,104.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdNCRAiVhVqlDsTqjY3vHOA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) was finally put out of its misery and replaced with one with rounded corners as well.
Sometimes PennDOT waits to give a mercy killing to old signs like on the US 1 Oxford Bypass where the old PA 896 sign attached to an overpass was present long after the lettering wore off it and it was just a plain sign with no info on it for years before PennDOT replaced it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on October 15, 2019, 12:53:13 AM
Was around Port Richmond Tn. I took these flicks after noticing the new Trolly rails. Ive never seen them installed before so it was definitely nice to see.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191015/e510e3bbdd97fff7f4f8817941e46e78.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191015/6f4b68abfac840093edbb1d08c092510.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191015/55a03778036a1ae0961331131c11df28.jpg)


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on October 15, 2019, 10:16:17 AM
They're for SEPTA's Route 15 trolley. When the construction on 95 began, the line was cut back to Delaware Av to allow for the construction (Girard Av passes right under 95 as a ramp within the interchange and that was demolished and replaced as part of the project). Part of the project has Richmond St fully rebuilt from Girard Av to Ann St and the tracks north from Ann to Westmoreland St replaced. The old tracks had been paved over and the overhead wires were clipped until that phase of the project commenced.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on October 15, 2019, 11:51:09 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on October 15, 2019, 10:16:17 AM
They're for SEPTA's Route 15 trolley. When the construction on 95 began, the line was cut back to Delaware Av to allow for the construction (Girard Av passes right under 95 as a ramp within the interchange and that was demolished and replaced as part of the project). Part of the project has Richmond St fully rebuilt from Girard Av to Ann St and the tracks north from Ann to Westmoreland St replaced. The old tracks had been paved over and the overhead wires were clipped until that phase of the project commenced.
Oh so they are just putting the tracks they took up back down basically.

It is nice to see how it changed the area. & I like how they put bright ass LEDs under 95. Does anyone have the plans website for philly? Its interesting to see what else they got planned.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: qguy on October 16, 2019, 06:20:05 AM
This is part of a huge, multi-section, multi-multi-phase, multi-multi-multi-year project to reconstruct I-95 between the I-676 and Academy Road interchanges. The website is www.95revive.com.

On the left side of the homepage is a list of the five currently active sections. Richmond Street and the Route 15 trolley are part of the Girard reconstruction (section GIR). Selecting from that list takes you to the various sections.

There's a wealth of information, plans, and photos on that site. Have fun!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: SteveG1988 on October 16, 2019, 01:02:06 PM
Quote from: qguy on October 16, 2019, 06:20:05 AM
This is part of a huge, multi-section, multi-multi-phase, multi-multi-multi-year project to reconstruct I-95 between the I-676 and Academy Road interchanges. The website is www.95revive.com.

On the left side of the homepage is a list of the five currently active sections. Richmond Street and the Route 15 trolley are part of the Girard reconstruction (section GIR). Selecting from that list takes you to the various sections.

There's a wealth of information, plans, and photos on that site. Have fun!

The betsy ross interchange is coming along nicely.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 01:04:38 PM
Have there been advances in trollys? They dont build them anymore & im sure the older ones would run better if all updated. Or would there be no difference.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 16, 2019, 01:13:22 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 01:04:38 PM
Have there been advances in trollys? They dont build them anymore & im sure the older ones would run better if all updated. Or would there be no difference.
If you're referring to the Route 15 trolleys.  That particular line has used refurbished old PTC-era cars since the line was (re?)established.

Pics of a Route 15 trolley in SEPTA's website (https://www.septa.org/art-in-transit/route-15.html)
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 01:51:18 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 16, 2019, 01:13:22 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 01:04:38 PM
Have there been advances in trollys? They dont build them anymore & im sure the older ones would run better if all updated. Or would there be no difference.
If you're referring to the Route 15 trolleys.  That particular line has used refurbished old PTC-era cars since the line was (re?)established.

Pics of a Route 15 trolley in SEPTA's website (https://www.septa.org/art-in-transit/route-15.html)
As in all trolleys. Like have they been improved into which they would be more efficient compared to other modes of transportation. Compared to the older trolleys that have been around since god knows when.

So for example. Would the new track make Route 15 better then the other older trolley lines or would it be the same?


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on October 16, 2019, 02:05:46 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 01:51:18 PMAs in all trolleys. Like have they been improved into which they would be more efficient compared to other modes of transportation. Compared to the older trolleys that have been around since god knows when.
At present, the newest of SEPTA's trolley cars, used for all other lines except the Route 15 line, are circa 1981.  I, personally, don't know if there any plans in the foreseeable future to replace those.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on October 16, 2019, 02:34:38 PM
SEPTA plans to order 80 modern articulated low floor light rail vehicles and leading up to their delivery will be overhauling the streets they run on to accommodate the new cars. They're 10 years out I believe.

SEPTA and the DVRPC came out with an extensive PDF laying out their plan for rebuilding the surface streets:

https://www.dvrpc.org/Reports/15014.pdf
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 02:41:42 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on October 16, 2019, 02:34:38 PM
SEPTA plans to order 80 modern articulated low floor light rail vehicles and leading up to their delivery will be overhauling the streets they run on to accommodate the new cars. They're 10 years out I believe.

SEPTA and the DVRPC came out with an extensive PDF laying out their plan for rebuilding the surface streets:

https://www.dvrpc.org/Reports/15014.pdf
WOAH! If they do this. This will be a BIGGG improvement in philly & on the streets, the trolleys are good to have & I always thought how you board the trolley was pretty unsafe.

The plans to create that curb bump-out & dedicated bike/Trolley lanes will make using the trolley safer & easier. While also making the intersection/area better.

This will definitely improve trolley times & maybe even bring life back to trolleys in other cities *Cough Wilmington De Cough*


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 16, 2019, 03:57:53 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 01:04:38 PM
Have there been advances in trollys? They dont build them anymore & im sure the older ones would run better if all updated. Or would there be no difference.


iPhone

Trolleys are still built, but usually go under the name of light rail.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 04:30:25 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 16, 2019, 03:57:53 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on October 16, 2019, 01:04:38 PM
Have there been advances in trollys? They dont build them anymore & im sure the older ones would run better if all updated. Or would there be no difference.


iPhone

Trolleys are still built, but usually go under the name of light rail.
Ooooooh shitt. So after this update to phillys trolleys & surrounding area. Will it make it a light rail? The updates are pretty big & make it a separate entity from the road.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PM
Does anyone know of the abandon subway stops in Philly, as well as cancelled or planned construction?

Also will the KOP Line connect to the subway system? and is the Benjamin Franklin Bridge the only one with the subway train tracks? very interesting because that part of Philly gives NYC vibes.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 02, 2019, 02:28:29 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PM
Does anyone know of the abandon subway stops in Philly, as well as cancelled or planned construction?

Also will the KOP Line connect to the subway system? and is the Benjamin Franklin Bridge the only one with the subway train tracks? very interesting because that part of Philly gives NYC vibes.

Only bridge in Philly? Yes.  Only bridge in the country? Not by a long shot.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 02, 2019, 09:47:15 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PM
Also will the KOP Line connect to the subway system?

Unless the King of Prussia line connects to 69th St Station or 30th Street Station, the answer will be no.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on November 03, 2019, 02:55:39 PM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 02, 2019, 09:47:15 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PM
Also will the KOP Line connect to the subway system?

Unless the King of Prussia line connects to 69th St Station or 30th Street Station, the answer will be no.

It would connect to the Norristown High Speed Line, which meets the subway at 69th Street
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 09:25:18 AM
Edit below in blue:
Quote from: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PMDoes anyone know of the abandon subway stops in Philly, as well as cancelled or planned construction?
On the PATCO line, there is the Franklin Square station at 7th & Race in Philly that's been closed since Sept. 1979.  There are plans to rehab & reopen it sometime in 2023... if one takes what's listed in PATCO's website as gospel.  There has been a long history of off & on plans to reopen the station.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 04, 2019, 09:31:07 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 09:25:18 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PMDoes anyone know of the abandon subway stops in Philly, as well as cancelled or planned construction?
On the PATCO line, there is the Franklin Square station at 7th & Race in Philly that's been closed since Sept. 1979.  There are plans to rehab & reopen it sometime in 2023 every random 2 or 3 years.

Fixed.

This subway stop's reopening has been mentioned so many times, with each upcoming time supposedly being more realistic than the last, that even three or four years from now it won't be able to reopen unless they start working on it within the next year due to all the necessary upgrades that station will need.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on November 04, 2019, 09:51:50 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 04, 2019, 09:31:07 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 09:25:18 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PMDoes anyone know of the abandon subway stops in Philly, as well as cancelled or planned construction?
On the PATCO line, there is the Franklin Square station at 7th & Race in Philly that's been closed since Sept. 1979.  There are plans to rehab & reopen it sometime in 2023 every random 2 or 3 years.
Fixed.
This subway stop's reopening has been mentioned so many times, with each upcoming time supposedly being more realistic than the last, that even three or four years from now it won't be able to reopen unless they start working on it within the next year due to all the necessary upgrades that station will need.

Would the Ridge Avenue Spur carry enough ridership to even justify that?

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 10:02:30 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 04, 2019, 09:31:07 AM
FWIW, the listed 2023 date was taken directly from PATCO's website; and I've since edited my original post to reflect such. 

While I agree with you in principle regarding the multiple off-again/on-again regarding plans for the station reopening; now that the Square is no longer the derelict vacant lot it was for many decades since the station's closing, there is now more of an incentive to reopen/re-establish the station there.  Whether or not DRPA ultimately goes through with such is anyone's guess.

Quote from: Beltway on November 04, 2019, 09:51:50 AMWould the Ridge Avenue Spur carry enough ridership to even justify that?
The Ridge Ave Spur serves a different purpose/mission/clientele than the PATCO line.

Besides, the Tonytone's original question was regarding stations that were either abandoned or proposed but not built, not ones that are currently open & active (Ridge Ave. Spur's Chinatown station with respect to Franklin Square).  My answer was an example of the former.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on November 04, 2019, 11:51:22 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 10:02:30 AM
Quote from: Beltway on November 04, 2019, 09:51:50 AMWould the Ridge Avenue Spur carry enough ridership to even justify that?
The Ridge Ave Spur serves a different purpose/mission/clientele than the PATCO line.
Besides, the Tonytone's original question was regarding stations that were either abandoned or proposed but not built, not ones that are currently open & active (Ridge Ave. Spur's Chinatown station with respect to Franklin Square).  My answer was an example of the former.
Oh ok ... I got the two mixed up.  I see the Chinatown station on the map.

The PATCO line as I am well aware runs near a segment of the Ridge Avenue Spur and that station, but is an entirely separate line.  The Franklin Square station would be very near to the Chinatown station, but would have its utility in being at least 5 blocks from the 8th and Market Street PATCO station and would serve its own urban residential and business sector.
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 04, 2019, 12:52:50 PM
Quote from: Beltway on November 04, 2019, 11:51:22 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 10:02:30 AM
Quote from: Beltway on November 04, 2019, 09:51:50 AMWould the Ridge Avenue Spur carry enough ridership to even justify that?
The Ridge Ave Spur serves a different purpose/mission/clientele than the PATCO line.
Besides, the Tonytone's original question was regarding stations that were either abandoned or proposed but not built, not ones that are currently open & active (Ridge Ave. Spur's Chinatown station with respect to Franklin Square).  My answer was an example of the former.
Oh ok ... I got the two mixed up.  I see the Chinatown station on the map.

The PATCO line as I am well aware runs near a segment of the Ridge Avenue Spur and that station, but is an entirely separate line.  The Franklin Square station would be very near to the Chinatown station, but would have its utility in being at least 5 blocks from the 8th and Market Street PATCO station and would serve its own urban residential and business sector.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191104/cff47d1a2e94c39a587743288d159d61.jpg)

From this map I found on Google. This shows all the transportation modes. I guess what the subway doesn't cover, other modes do. Kinda sad to see the subway not fully completed & reallly serving the philly area.


What stopped the subway from going into North Philly. Or cough Delaware cough. 

I found a map that really shows the itinerary proposed systems & damn its massive. (No pun intended) (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191104/89dc0af2f5be603ed95681683a492a5c.jpg)



iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 01:28:58 PM
Note the dotted lines on Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9554673,-75.1527376,18.25z) showing the PATCO corridor on the right, through Franklin Square; as well as the faint lines showing SEPTA's Broad-Ridge Spur west of 8th Street on the left.

This concrete block along 7th St. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9551206,-75.1512563,3a,75y,51.62h,87.45t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sOpb351WzYgwlvdtjEJ4kww!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DOpb351WzYgwlvdtjEJ4kww%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D47.252083%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) was where the stairwell down to the closed PATCO station was.

Quote from: Tonytone on November 04, 2019, 12:52:50 PMWhat stopped the subway from going into North Philly. Or cough Delaware cough.
SEPTA's Broad Street Line serves North Philadelphia & has done such for decades.  Do you, by any chance mean Northeast Philadelphia... particularly the upper/northern part of it beyond the Frankford Terminal of the Market-Frankford Line?  IIRC, there was a long-range, long since-abandoned plan to extend the Market-Frankford Line beyond Frankford and run along the center of the Roosevelt Blvd. (US 1) corridor.  It likely went nowhere due to lack of available funds.

As far as extending any subway to Delaware is concerned; SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line barely serves Delaware County (69th St. Transportation Center & Milbourne are the only Delco stations on the line) let alone the State of Delaware.  Two of the four Subway-Surface Routes (11 & 13) from Center City serve Darby Borough.  Trolley Routes 101 & 102 are the only ones that are completely in & serve Delco up to Media & Sharon Hill.

As far as train service between Philadelphia & Wilmington served by SEPTA & its predecessors are concerned; this Wiki account (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmington/Newark_Line) of the Marcus Hook/Wilmington/Newark line (once known as the R2 line) gives the history in a nutshell.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 04, 2019, 01:43:18 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 01:28:58 PM
Note the dotted lines on Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9554673,-75.1527376,18.25z) showing the PATCO corridor on the right, through Franklin Square; as well as the faint lines showing SEPTA's Broad-Ridge Spur west of 8th Street on the left.

This concrete block along 7th St. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9551206,-75.1512563,3a,75y,51.62h,87.45t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sOpb351WzYgwlvdtjEJ4kww!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DOpb351WzYgwlvdtjEJ4kww%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D47.252083%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) was where the stairwell down to the closed PATCO station was.

Quote from: Tonytone on November 04, 2019, 12:52:50 PMWhat stopped the subway from going into North Philly. Or cough Delaware cough.
SEPTA's Broad Street Line serves North Philadelphia & has done such for decades.  Do you, by any chance mean Northeast Philadelphia... particularly the upper/northern part of it beyond the Frankford Terminal of the Market-Frankford Line?  IIRC, there was a long-range, long since-abandoned plan to extend the Market-Frankford Line beyond Frankford and run along the center of the Roosevelt Blvd. (US 1) corridor.  It likely went nowhere due to lack of available funds.

As far as extending any subway to Delaware is concerned; SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line barely serves Delaware County (69th St. Transportation Center & Milbourne are the only Delco stations on the line) let alone the State of Delaware.  Two of the four Subway-Surface Routes (11 & 13) from Center City serve Darby Borough.  Trolley Routes 101 & 102 are the only ones that are completely in & serve Delco up to Media & Sharon Hill.

As far as train service between Philadelphia & Wilmington served by SEPTA & its predecessors are concerned; this Wiki account (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmington/Newark_Line) of the Marcus Hook/Wilmington/Newark line (once known as the R2 line) gives the history in a nutshell.
Thank you for the info. I did mean Northeast Philly. & from reading it seems that world war I is the cause for many of Americas projects to be canceled due to inflation from the war.


The Wilmington-Newark wiki is interesting. I never knew Namans & Edgemoor had stations. They were closed a long time ago. I guess they were all pretty close together. Im surprised they didnt put a station ins New Castle. Since that is between Wilmington & Newark. What was the Broad loop gonna look like? I see the fashion center is what keeps the Broad/Ridge spur alive.

I noticed upper darby & west Philly is serviced pretty damn well. From a lil bit of subway to hella trolleys. Do they have more transportation in west philly?


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 01:49:49 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 04, 2019, 01:43:18 PMDo they have more transportation in west philly?
West Philadelphia was largely served by all five branches of the Subway-Surface trolleys that originate from Center City as well as the western portion of the Market-Frankford Line.  The Market portion of the name is derived from the fact that such runs along Market St.; be it above (46th to 63rd St. stations) or below (40th to 2nd St. stations) depending on location.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 09, 2019, 02:44:18 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 04, 2019, 01:49:49 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 04, 2019, 01:43:18 PMDo they have more transportation in west philly?
West Philadelphia was largely served by all five branches of the Subway-Surface trolleys that originate from Center City as well as the western portion of the Market-Frankford Line.  The Market portion of the name is derived from the fact that such runs along Market St.; be it above (46th to 63rd St. stations) or below (40th to 2nd St. stations) depending on location.
That's interesting I didnt know that. Just yesterday while in West Philly on S 40th & Walnut. I was shocked to see a trolley come down the tracks! I thought that line was abandoned.


Also I found these pretty interesting videos on Youtube about Septa

https://youtu.be/BkWxbAoOK2o / (https://youtu.be/BkWxbAoOK2o%20/)



https://youtu.be/zcxezjtw1Ak  (https://youtu.be/zcxezjtw1Ak)


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 09, 2019, 02:58:01 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 02, 2019, 02:28:29 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 01, 2019, 10:19:13 PM
Does anyone know of the abandon subway stops in Philly, as well as cancelled or planned construction?

Also will the KOP Line connect to the subway system? and is the Benjamin Franklin Bridge the only one with the subway train tracks? very interesting because that part of Philly gives NYC vibes.

Only bridge in Philly? Yes.  Only bridge in the country? Not by a long shot.
Was there plans for other train bridges in Philly & the surrounding area? Why was the Ben Frank built so Newyorker & all the other bridges are built just for cars? Seems to be a big mess up for intergrated transportation systems.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 12, 2019, 06:39:56 PM
Regarding PATCO's abandoned Franklin Square Station discussed earlier:

PATCO's Franklin Square Station awarded $12.6M federal grant toward reopening (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/patcos-franklin-square-station-awarded-dollar126m-federal-grant-toward-reopening/ar-BBWEMvt?ocid=UE07DHP)

Quote from: Philadelphia Inquirer articleThe long-anticipated reopening of PATCO's "ghost"  station is getting the help of $12.6 million from the Trump administration.  The money intended for the PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening Project comes as a part of a $900 million investment in 55 infrastructure projects across 35 states through a federal discretionary grants program, the Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.
...
The Franklin Square Station is the only project in the Philadelphia area to receive an award. The estimated total cost of the Franklin Square Station's reopening is about $25.2 million, according to the DOT.
...
The station, near Sixth and Race Streets, opened in 1936 and closed in 1979. The Delaware River Port Authority has talked about reopening the stop for more than a decade with it becoming a priority in 2016.

But the decision meant more than just cosmetic changes: The station needs to undergo structural, mechanical, and electrical improvements, and also to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Construction is expected to begin next year, with completion slated for 2023, according to PATCO's website.

The DRPA did not immediately respond to an request for comment.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 12, 2019, 08:58:46 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 12, 2019, 06:39:56 PM
Regarding PATCO's abandoned Franklin Square Station discussed earlier:

PATCO's Franklin Square Station awarded $12.6M federal grant toward reopening (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/patcos-franklin-square-station-awarded-dollar126m-federal-grant-toward-reopening/ar-BBWEMvt?ocid=UE07DHP)

Quote from: Philadelphia Inquirer articleThe long-anticipated reopening of PATCO's "ghost"  station is getting the help of $12.6 million from the Trump administration.  The money intended for the PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening Project comes as a part of a $900 million investment in 55 infrastructure projects across 35 states through a federal discretionary grants program, the Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.
...
The Franklin Square Station is the only project in the Philadelphia area to receive an award. The estimated total cost of the Franklin Square Station's reopening is about $25.2 million, according to the DOT.
...
The station, near Sixth and Race Streets, opened in 1936 and closed in 1979. The Delaware River Port Authority has talked about reopening the stop for more than a decade with it becoming a priority in 2016.

But the decision meant more than just cosmetic changes: The station needs to undergo structural, mechanical, and electrical improvements, and also to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Construction is expected to begin next year, with completion slated for 2023, according to PATCO's website.

The DRPA did not immediately respond to an request for comment.

I have to admit that is a very significant development.

And yet...I'm a bit surprised the DRPA didn't jump out praising the news!!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 04:09:16 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 12, 2019, 08:58:46 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 12, 2019, 06:39:56 PM
Regarding PATCO's abandoned Franklin Square Station discussed earlier:

PATCO's Franklin Square Station awarded $12.6M federal grant toward reopening (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/patcos-franklin-square-station-awarded-dollar126m-federal-grant-toward-reopening/ar-BBWEMvt?ocid=UE07DHP)

Quote from: Philadelphia Inquirer articleThe long-anticipated reopening of PATCO's "ghost"  station is getting the help of $12.6 million from the Trump administration.  The money intended for the PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening Project comes as a part of a $900 million investment in 55 infrastructure projects across 35 states through a federal discretionary grants program, the Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.
...
The Franklin Square Station is the only project in the Philadelphia area to receive an award. The estimated total cost of the Franklin Square Station's reopening is about $25.2 million, according to the DOT.
...
The station, near Sixth and Race Streets, opened in 1936 and closed in 1979. The Delaware River Port Authority has talked about reopening the stop for more than a decade with it becoming a priority in 2016.

But the decision meant more than just cosmetic changes: The station needs to undergo structural, mechanical, and electrical improvements, and also to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Construction is expected to begin next year, with completion slated for 2023, according to PATCO's website.

The DRPA did not immediately respond to an request for comment.

I have to admit that is a very significant development.

And yet...I'm a bit surprised the DRPA didn't jump out praising the news!!
Wow that is very interesting. Philly reddit is talking about it. So the words getting around, cant wait to see it when its finished. Also. Other philly projects that are moving along or just getting started

https://philly.curbed.com/2017/9/18/16227724/philadelphia-top-transportation-infrastructure-projects


iPhone
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 12:19:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Its crazy aint it. The most bizarre thing is the fact they cant stop the Peco lines from catching fire & killing the wires for the traffic signals to sync to the system.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:31:08 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 12:19:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Its crazy aint it. The most bizarre thing is the fact they cant stop the Peco lines from catching fire & killing the wires for the traffic signals to sync to the system.

They've gotta start synching above ground then. Not cheap, but doable with various technologies.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: storm2k on November 14, 2019, 12:18:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:31:08 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 12:19:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Its crazy aint it. The most bizarre thing is the fact they cant stop the Peco lines from catching fire & killing the wires for the traffic signals to sync to the system.

They've gotta start synching above ground then. Not cheap, but doable with various technologies.

Didn't NJDOT utilize some sort of wireless RF sync tech for at least part of the project to sync all the lights on 22 from Green Brook to Mountainside? I know in the part that goes thru the reservation in Mountainside, there are these antennas (https://goo.gl/maps/4TbuWpbQyqjdFEqM8) which I believe are used to communicate up and down the system. Maybe they adopt something like this?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 14, 2019, 12:59:39 PM
Quote from: storm2k on November 14, 2019, 12:18:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:31:08 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 12:19:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Its crazy aint it. The most bizarre thing is the fact they cant stop the Peco lines from catching fire & killing the wires for the traffic signals to sync to the system.

They've gotta start synching above ground then. Not cheap, but doable with various technologies.

Didn't NJDOT utilize some sort of wireless RF sync tech for at least part of the project to sync all the lights on 22 from Green Brook to Mountainside? I know in the part that goes thru the reservation in Mountainside, there are these antennas (https://goo.gl/maps/4TbuWpbQyqjdFEqM8) which I believe are used to communicate up and down the system. Maybe they adopt something like this?

There's a difference between syncing the lights and using an adaptive control system.  That picture is of adaptive controls.  For NJ, they utilize a doppler radar system to determine when to change the lights.  A perfect line-of-sight needs to be available between controllers (see my last paragraph how this ties into Philly's issue).  However, the system isn't issue-proof.  The equipment sometimes fails.  In that pic, which shows a line-of-sight control between two traffic lights, the pole is 4 feet from the shoulder.  If a car hits it and the pole goes down, it'll prevent the system from working properly. 

Philly wants to use syncing technology to keep the lights changing at a set time.  It was clearly seen on Broad Street when it did work - the first 2 lights would be green, then next two red, the next two green, the next two red, etc.  If you at the first of the two identical lights, when your light turned green you would go, get thru the next green light, and by the time you approached that first red light it should be cycling to a green light.  You go thru that green light, go thru the next green light, then as you approached the next red light that would be cycling to a green, and so on.  What this created was a 25 mph flow for the most part - if you went about 25 mph, you would conceivably go from light to light without slowing down.  In reality, traffic sped up to 30 or 35 then get stopped at the next red light, then when it turned green they would get thru the next green, then hit another red.  In theory the system would work...as long as you went the speed limit (which most people didn't do).  It takes a keen eye to see how that operates.

Underground fires in old cities aren't unusual - there is very old wiring down there, and combined with critters that like to chew on things and don't understand how electricity works, fires happen.  An above ground system would avoid some of that.  However, in a city like Philly, there are numerous trees in the sidewalk that would interrupt a line-of-sight system as mentioned above.  So that system may not work well either!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 01:11:00 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 14, 2019, 12:59:39 PM
Quote from: storm2k on November 14, 2019, 12:18:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:31:08 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 12:19:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Its crazy aint it. The most bizarre thing is the fact they cant stop the Peco lines from catching fire & killing the wires for the traffic signals to sync to the system.

They've gotta start synching above ground then. Not cheap, but doable with various technologies.

Didn't NJDOT utilize some sort of wireless RF sync tech for at least part of the project to sync all the lights on 22 from Green Brook to Mountainside? I know in the part that goes thru the reservation in Mountainside, there are these antennas (https://goo.gl/maps/4TbuWpbQyqjdFEqM8) which I believe are used to communicate up and down the system. Maybe they adopt something like this?

There's a difference between syncing the lights and using an adaptive control system.  That picture is of adaptive controls.  For NJ, they utilize a doppler radar system to determine when to change the lights.  A perfect line-of-sight needs to be available between controllers (see my last paragraph how this ties into Philly's issue).  However, the system isn't issue-proof.  The equipment sometimes fails.  In that pic, which shows a line-of-sight control between two traffic lights, the pole is 4 feet from the shoulder.  If a car hits it and the pole goes down, it'll prevent the system from working properly. 

Philly wants to use syncing technology to keep the lights changing at a set time.  It was clearly seen on Broad Street when it did work - the first 2 lights would be green, then next two red, the next two green, the next two red, etc.  If you at the first of the two identical lights, when your light turned green you would go, get thru the next green light, and by the time you approached that first red light it should be cycling to a green light.  You go thru that green light, go thru the next green light, then as you approached the next red light that would be cycling to a green, and so on.  What this created was a 25 mph flow for the most part - if you went about 25 mph, you would conceivably go from light to light without slowing down.  In reality, traffic sped up to 30 or 35 then get stopped at the next red light, then when it turned green they would get thru the next green, then hit another red.  In theory the system would work...as long as you went the speed limit (which most people didn't do).  It takes a keen eye to see how that operates.

Underground fires in old cities aren't unusual - there is very old wiring down there, and combined with critters that like to chew on things and don't understand how electricity works, fires happen.  An above ground system would avoid some of that.  However, in a city like Philly, there are numerous trees in the sidewalk that would interrupt a line-of-sight system as mentioned above.  So that system may not work well either!


So in this situation. What would be the best fix. Digging up the street to replace the traffic signal lines? Or putting the camera sensors ontop of every traffic signal in Philly. The ones that are seen in some parts of phily, but mostly in MD.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 14, 2019, 02:58:12 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 01:11:00 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 14, 2019, 12:59:39 PM
Quote from: storm2k on November 14, 2019, 12:18:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:31:08 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 12:19:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Its crazy aint it. The most bizarre thing is the fact they cant stop the Peco lines from catching fire & killing the wires for the traffic signals to sync to the system.

They've gotta start synching above ground then. Not cheap, but doable with various technologies.

Didn't NJDOT utilize some sort of wireless RF sync tech for at least part of the project to sync all the lights on 22 from Green Brook to Mountainside? I know in the part that goes thru the reservation in Mountainside, there are these antennas (https://goo.gl/maps/4TbuWpbQyqjdFEqM8) which I believe are used to communicate up and down the system. Maybe they adopt something like this?

There's a difference between syncing the lights and using an adaptive control system.  That picture is of adaptive controls.  For NJ, they utilize a doppler radar system to determine when to change the lights.  A perfect line-of-sight needs to be available between controllers (see my last paragraph how this ties into Philly's issue).  However, the system isn't issue-proof.  The equipment sometimes fails.  In that pic, which shows a line-of-sight control between two traffic lights, the pole is 4 feet from the shoulder.  If a car hits it and the pole goes down, it'll prevent the system from working properly. 

Philly wants to use syncing technology to keep the lights changing at a set time.  It was clearly seen on Broad Street when it did work - the first 2 lights would be green, then next two red, the next two green, the next two red, etc.  If you at the first of the two identical lights, when your light turned green you would go, get thru the next green light, and by the time you approached that first red light it should be cycling to a green light.  You go thru that green light, go thru the next green light, then as you approached the next red light that would be cycling to a green, and so on.  What this created was a 25 mph flow for the most part - if you went about 25 mph, you would conceivably go from light to light without slowing down.  In reality, traffic sped up to 30 or 35 then get stopped at the next red light, then when it turned green they would get thru the next green, then hit another red.  In theory the system would work...as long as you went the speed limit (which most people didn't do).  It takes a keen eye to see how that operates.

Underground fires in old cities aren't unusual - there is very old wiring down there, and combined with critters that like to chew on things and don't understand how electricity works, fires happen.  An above ground system would avoid some of that.  However, in a city like Philly, there are numerous trees in the sidewalk that would interrupt a line-of-sight system as mentioned above.  So that system may not work well either!


So in this situation. What would be the best fix. Digging up the street to replace the traffic signal lines? Or putting the camera sensors ontop of every traffic signal in Philly. The ones that are seen in some parts of phily, but mostly in MD.


iPhone

The streets don't usually need to be dug up - there's conduit within the streets to feed the wires thru.  Or in Broad Street's case, they could even go thru the subway tunnels and up at each intersection!

But, while that seems easy, there's always this one bothersome issue to contend with: Money.  It takes a lot of money to wire miles of roadway.  And it's not just wiring - people have to be paid for the work.  The manholes are often in the middle of the roadway, so you have to close lanes to get to the manholes.  You have to have the proper computer equipment in place at the main office.  And so forth...  If you were to pull a bid package, the number of line items that bidders bid on is insane.  And that's just to put something in place - that doesn't even include ongoing maintenance!

As far as those sensors go - that's usually reserved for on-demand intersections, not fixed-time intersections which are used in the city. 
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 03:12:29 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 14, 2019, 02:58:12 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 01:11:00 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 14, 2019, 12:59:39 PM
Quote from: storm2k on November 14, 2019, 12:18:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:31:08 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 14, 2019, 12:19:56 AM
Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2019, 12:16:19 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 13, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Phillys traffic lights are out of sync & its gonna take a long time to fix it.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html%3foutputType=amp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yikes, some of those photos.
Its crazy aint it. The most bizarre thing is the fact they cant stop the Peco lines from catching fire & killing the wires for the traffic signals to sync to the system.

They've gotta start synching above ground then. Not cheap, but doable with various technologies.

Didn't NJDOT utilize some sort of wireless RF sync tech for at least part of the project to sync all the lights on 22 from Green Brook to Mountainside? I know in the part that goes thru the reservation in Mountainside, there are these antennas (https://goo.gl/maps/4TbuWpbQyqjdFEqM8) which I believe are used to communicate up and down the system. Maybe they adopt something like this?

There's a difference between syncing the lights and using an adaptive control system.  That picture is of adaptive controls.  For NJ, they utilize a doppler radar system to determine when to change the lights.  A perfect line-of-sight needs to be available between controllers (see my last paragraph how this ties into Philly's issue).  However, the system isn't issue-proof.  The equipment sometimes fails.  In that pic, which shows a line-of-sight control between two traffic lights, the pole is 4 feet from the shoulder.  If a car hits it and the pole goes down, it'll prevent the system from working properly. 

Philly wants to use syncing technology to keep the lights changing at a set time.  It was clearly seen on Broad Street when it did work - the first 2 lights would be green, then next two red, the next two green, the next two red, etc.  If you at the first of the two identical lights, when your light turned green you would go, get thru the next green light, and by the time you approached that first red light it should be cycling to a green light.  You go thru that green light, go thru the next green light, then as you approached the next red light that would be cycling to a green, and so on.  What this created was a 25 mph flow for the most part - if you went about 25 mph, you would conceivably go from light to light without slowing down.  In reality, traffic sped up to 30 or 35 then get stopped at the next red light, then when it turned green they would get thru the next green, then hit another red.  In theory the system would work...as long as you went the speed limit (which most people didn't do).  It takes a keen eye to see how that operates.

Underground fires in old cities aren't unusual - there is very old wiring down there, and combined with critters that like to chew on things and don't understand how electricity works, fires happen.  An above ground system would avoid some of that.  However, in a city like Philly, there are numerous trees in the sidewalk that would interrupt a line-of-sight system as mentioned above.  So that system may not work well either!


So in this situation. What would be the best fix. Digging up the street to replace the traffic signal lines? Or putting the camera sensors ontop of every traffic signal in Philly. The ones that are seen in some parts of phily, but mostly in MD.


iPhone

The streets don't usually need to be dug up - there's conduit within the streets to feed the wires thru.  Or in Broad Street's case, they could even go thru the subway tunnels and up at each intersection!

But, while that seems easy, there's always this one bothersome issue to contend with: Money.  It takes a lot of money to wire miles of roadway.  And it's not just wiring - people have to be paid for the work.  The manholes are often in the middle of the roadway, so you have to close lanes to get to the manholes.  You have to have the proper computer equipment in place at the main office.  And so forth...  If you were to pull a bid package, the number of line items that bidders bid on is insane.  And that's just to put something in place - that doesn't even include ongoing maintenance!

As far as those sensors go - that's usually reserved for on-demand intersections, not fixed-time intersections which are used in the city.

–––
"The fiber optics that link the traffic signals to the central control system are vulnerable to small fires that can break out on the PECO power lines that run alongside them. A single fiber optic cable can be the lifeline that links an entire neighborhood in the city to the central control system, and when it burn outs, there are no backup connections. This is particularly a problem in Center City, officials said, where Philadelphia's traffic problems are most acute."  


"There's not enough redundancy in Center City,"  Callahan said. "It's a problem with the fiber optic network."
It's costly and time consuming to replace the cables. In summer 2018, a PECO manhole fire on Juniper Street burned the fiber optic cables that allowed remote control of every traffic light in Center City between Market and South Streets, except for signals on Chestnut Street. Workers will have to dig up the street to get at the burned fiber optics. Those signals likely won't be reconnected until the end of the year. In the meantime, the city has to go back to manually retiming them."
–––-

So im not sure if they have to dig up all the streets to replace the lines, but according to this article, they have too. So an above ground solution may be the best for philly, because according to this map...

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191114/2aa6e9ffc7a29ce4d9c3162f9978a68b.jpg)

Thats a lot of streets to dig up & also switching the city to sensors instead of timed intersections will do the city better IMO. Since half the time most intersections are empty at the crossing side while the other side has cars just sitting at a red light wasting time & energy.



& sorry about the screenshots I post they have been bad quality lately no idea why?!





iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on November 14, 2019, 07:53:03 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 14, 2019, 02:58:12 PM
The streets don't usually need to be dug up - there's conduit within the streets to feed the wires thru.

a not-uncommon issue is when the conduit itself is damaged by the fire and requires repair/replacement. while the conduit damage might not affect cables within that weren't damaged by the initial event, it can prevent new cable from being pulled.

another issue lies with access - in some cases in Center City, access to certain manholes/vaults requires entry through private property. if that property was also damaged in the event, PECO can be stuck waiting for the property owner to make the entrance safe to access before they can even begin damage assessment (let alone repairs).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 15, 2019, 09:30:28 PM
One county west of Philadelphia...
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/problem-middletown-intersection-targeted-for-improvement/article_e835681a-0578-11ea-9eb9-7baa696b051f.html?fbclid=IwAR2Gg_x6g3c_gPzRdJQBMoQOa5gvbQA-79wkRBcjPntb6n7EiJWFM4WZrx4
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PM
Will this solve the deadly BLVD? Maybe, maybe not. But I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.

https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/comments/dx096r/a_nycinspired_traffic_hack_is_coming_to_phillys/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf (https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/comments/dx096r/a_nycinspired_traffic_hack_is_coming_to_phillys/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PMBut I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.
IIRC, such (extending the Market-Frankford Line beyond the Frankford Terminal to and along Roosevelt Blvd.) has been talked about since at least the 1970s.  Such was a pipedream then and it's even more of a pipedream now.

Even if such were constructed; I'm not 100% sure that alone would make the Blvd. safer.  Not everybody's going to abandon their cars to take the El.  Some will, but many will not for whatever reason. 

IMHO, and this is fantasy, what really should happen is to lower the inner drives and make such an expressway and have the outer drives (with overpasses crossing over the inner drives) function as both a boulevard & transit-way.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on November 18, 2019, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PMBut I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.
IIRC, such (extending the Market-Frankford Line beyond the Frankford Terminal to and along Roosevelt Blvd.) has been talked about since at least the 1970s.  Such was a pipedream then and it's even more of a pipedream now.

Even if such were constructed; I'm not 100% sure that alone would make the Blvd. safer.  Not everybody's going to abandon their cars to take the El.  Some will, but many will not for whatever reason. 

IMHO, and this is fantasy, what really should happen is to lower the inner drives and make such an expressway and have the outer drives (with overpasses crossing over the inner drives) function as both a boulevard & transit-way.
As you probably know, the combo expressway subway inner lanes was studied repeatedly by the city with their long-range plans.  Last time I heard (late '00's) it was closing in on $4B for the gold plated option, which included extending the MFL to join the branched BSL line up the boulevard.  With the astronomical cost also came an extremely high daily ridership estimate.  It had the potential to be transformative if tied into land-use policies around the proposed stations. Alas, the only thing the city could afford was the study, so it will sit on the shelf until the next time a long-range study for the same situation is ordered up.  I agree though, it needs to sink the inner lanes into a trench to operate as a freeway alongside the subway.  You'd have a bottleneck eastbound at Broad though...

https://whyy.org/articles/roosevelt-boulevard-heavy-rail-too-expensive-study-looks-at-other-options/
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 18, 2019, 01:47:03 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on November 18, 2019, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PMBut I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.
IIRC, such (extending the Market-Frankford Line beyond the Frankford Terminal to and along Roosevelt Blvd.) has been talked about since at least the 1970s.  Such was a pipedream then and it's even more of a pipedream now.

Even if such were constructed; I'm not 100% sure that alone would make the Blvd. safer.  Not everybody's going to abandon their cars to take the El.  Some will, but many will not for whatever reason. 

IMHO, and this is fantasy, what really should happen is to lower the inner drives and make such an expressway and have the outer drives (with overpasses crossing over the inner drives) function as both a boulevard & transit-way.
As you probably know, the combo expressway subway inner lanes was studied repeatedly by the city with their long-range plans.  Last time I heard (late '00's) it was closing in on $4B for the gold plated option, which included extending the MFL to join the branched BSL line up the boulevard.  With the astronomical cost also came an extremely high daily ridership estimate.  It had the potential to be transformative if tied into land-use policies around the proposed stations. Alas, the only thing the city could afford was the study, so it will sit on the shelf until the next time a long-range study for the same situation is ordered up.  I agree though, it needs to sink the inner lanes into a trench to operate as a freeway alongside the subway.  You'd have a bottleneck eastbound at Broad though...

https://whyy.org/articles/roosevelt-boulevard-heavy-rail-too-expensive-study-looks-at-other-options/

I wished they would just extend the southern end of the Broad Street Subway line into the South Philly Naval Yard.  Pretty much a straight shot and relatively easily doable under existing roadways.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 18, 2019, 01:51:21 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on November 18, 2019, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PMBut I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.
IIRC, such (extending the Market-Frankford Line beyond the Frankford Terminal to and along Roosevelt Blvd.) has been talked about since at least the 1970s.  Such was a pipedream then and it's even more of a pipedream now.

Even if such were constructed; I'm not 100% sure that alone would make the Blvd. safer.  Not everybody's going to abandon their cars to take the El.  Some will, but many will not for whatever reason. 

IMHO, and this is fantasy, what really should happen is to lower the inner drives and make such an expressway and have the outer drives (with overpasses crossing over the inner drives) function as both a boulevard & transit-way.
As you probably know, the combo expressway subway inner lanes was studied repeatedly by the city with their long-range plans.  Last time I heard (late '00's) it was closing in on $4B for the gold plated option, which included extending the MFL to join the branched BSL line up the boulevard.  With the astronomical cost also came an extremely high daily ridership estimate.  It had the potential to be transformative if tied into land-use policies around the proposed stations. Alas, the only thing the city could afford was the study, so it will sit on the shelf until the next time a long-range study for the same situation is ordered up.  I agree though, it needs to sink the inner lanes into a trench to operate as a freeway alongside the subway.  You'd have a bottleneck eastbound at Broad though...

https://whyy.org/articles/roosevelt-boulevard-heavy-rail-too-expensive-study-looks-at-other-options/
That article is hilarious. "Building heavy rail is so entrenched in peoples minds" . DUHH its en trenched in peoples minds, we're in a city!? I could see if it was a suburban area, then a subway would be a crazy idea, but we're in an area where the subway is literally a couple blocks back. You have this 12 lane road that is crazy as hell to cross, drive on or live near. & you guys have been pushing this subway off for so long by the time its gonna be time to do something flying cars will be invented. For a city of Philly's size they sure do act like northeast is not apart of philly, shit philly is almost damn near the size of NY if you include all the area of the city from South Philly to Northeast, where it almost touches NYC.


& I've been reading about the sunken middle lanes alot. That would also be a good bypass of 76. Maybe even easing the traffic on both roads, now throw a bus lane on the BLVD & a subway! You got population growth taken care of for 50+ years & also multiple ways to get around. This would solve the norths traffic problem.


iPhone
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 18, 2019, 01:51:47 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 18, 2019, 01:47:03 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on November 18, 2019, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PMBut I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.
IIRC, such (extending the Market-Frankford Line beyond the Frankford Terminal to and along Roosevelt Blvd.) has been talked about since at least the 1970s.  Such was a pipedream then and it's even more of a pipedream now.

Even if such were constructed; I'm not 100% sure that alone would make the Blvd. safer.  Not everybody's going to abandon their cars to take the El.  Some will, but many will not for whatever reason. 

IMHO, and this is fantasy, what really should happen is to lower the inner drives and make such an expressway and have the outer drives (with overpasses crossing over the inner drives) function as both a boulevard & transit-way.
As you probably know, the combo expressway subway inner lanes was studied repeatedly by the city with their long-range plans.  Last time I heard (late '00's) it was closing in on $4B for the gold plated option, which included extending the MFL to join the branched BSL line up the boulevard.  With the astronomical cost also came an extremely high daily ridership estimate.  It had the potential to be transformative if tied into land-use policies around the proposed stations. Alas, the only thing the city could afford was the study, so it will sit on the shelf until the next time a long-range study for the same situation is ordered up.  I agree though, it needs to sink the inner lanes into a trench to operate as a freeway alongside the subway.  You'd have a bottleneck eastbound at Broad though...

https://whyy.org/articles/roosevelt-boulevard-heavy-rail-too-expensive-study-looks-at-other-options/

I wished they would just extend the southern end of the Broad Street Subway line into the South Philly Naval Yard.  Pretty much a straight shot and relatively easily doable under existing roadways.
But jeff they are! Let me find the plans for you


https://www.google.com/amp/s/philly.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/9/18/16227724/philadelphia-top-transportation-infrastructure-projects (https://www.google.com/amp/s/philly.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/9/18/16227724/philadelphia-top-transportation-infrastructure-projects)

iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 18, 2019, 03:22:46 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 18, 2019, 01:51:47 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 18, 2019, 01:47:03 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on November 18, 2019, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PMBut I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.
IIRC, such (extending the Market-Frankford Line beyond the Frankford Terminal to and along Roosevelt Blvd.) has been talked about since at least the 1970s.  Such was a pipedream then and it's even more of a pipedream now.

Even if such were constructed; I'm not 100% sure that alone would make the Blvd. safer.  Not everybody's going to abandon their cars to take the El.  Some will, but many will not for whatever reason. 

IMHO, and this is fantasy, what really should happen is to lower the inner drives and make such an expressway and have the outer drives (with overpasses crossing over the inner drives) function as both a boulevard & transit-way.
As you probably know, the combo expressway subway inner lanes was studied repeatedly by the city with their long-range plans.  Last time I heard (late '00's) it was closing in on $4B for the gold plated option, which included extending the MFL to join the branched BSL line up the boulevard.  With the astronomical cost also came an extremely high daily ridership estimate.  It had the potential to be transformative if tied into land-use policies around the proposed stations. Alas, the only thing the city could afford was the study, so it will sit on the shelf until the next time a long-range study for the same situation is ordered up.  I agree though, it needs to sink the inner lanes into a trench to operate as a freeway alongside the subway.  You'd have a bottleneck eastbound at Broad though...

https://whyy.org/articles/roosevelt-boulevard-heavy-rail-too-expensive-study-looks-at-other-options/

I wished they would just extend the southern end of the Broad Street Subway line into the South Philly Naval Yard.  Pretty much a straight shot and relatively easily doable under existing roadways.
But jeff they are! Let me find the plans for you


https://www.google.com/amp/s/philly.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/9/18/16227724/philadelphia-top-transportation-infrastructure-projects (https://www.google.com/amp/s/philly.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/9/18/16227724/philadelphia-top-transportation-infrastructure-projects)

iPhone

Slow down.

From that article...

Quote
Here, we highlight six transportation projects that all have potential to be game-changers for this city and its 1.5 million residents.

QuoteThat could change eventually, with a feasibility study underway to extend the Broad Street subway line from the final stop at the stadiums to the Navy Yard.

I've seen the studies and the route proposals.  I also know that SEPTA doesn't have the hundreds of millions layout around to do the extension.  Anything reviewed so far are just ideas, with 3 main subway options being considered.  Shuttle buses are being looked at as well.

BTW, here's the study: http://www.septa.org/notice/pdf/2019-BSL-Extension-Study.pdf



Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 18, 2019, 04:53:44 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 18, 2019, 03:22:46 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 18, 2019, 01:51:47 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 18, 2019, 01:47:03 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on November 18, 2019, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 17, 2019, 02:46:14 PMBut I know one thing that will, bring on the BLVD SUBWAY SEPTA.
IIRC, such (extending the Market-Frankford Line beyond the Frankford Terminal to and along Roosevelt Blvd.) has been talked about since at least the 1970s.  Such was a pipedream then and it's even more of a pipedream now.

Even if such were constructed; I'm not 100% sure that alone would make the Blvd. safer.  Not everybody's going to abandon their cars to take the El.  Some will, but many will not for whatever reason. 

IMHO, and this is fantasy, what really should happen is to lower the inner drives and make such an expressway and have the outer drives (with overpasses crossing over the inner drives) function as both a boulevard & transit-way.
As you probably know, the combo expressway subway inner lanes was studied repeatedly by the city with their long-range plans.  Last time I heard (late '00's) it was closing in on $4B for the gold plated option, which included extending the MFL to join the branched BSL line up the boulevard.  With the astronomical cost also came an extremely high daily ridership estimate.  It had the potential to be transformative if tied into land-use policies around the proposed stations. Alas, the only thing the city could afford was the study, so it will sit on the shelf until the next time a long-range study for the same situation is ordered up.  I agree though, it needs to sink the inner lanes into a trench to operate as a freeway alongside the subway.  You'd have a bottleneck eastbound at Broad though...

https://whyy.org/articles/roosevelt-boulevard-heavy-rail-too-expensive-study-looks-at-other-options/

I wished they would just extend the southern end of the Broad Street Subway line into the South Philly Naval Yard.  Pretty much a straight shot and relatively easily doable under existing roadways.
But jeff they are! Let me find the plans for you


https://www.google.com/amp/s/philly.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/9/18/16227724/philadelphia-top-transportation-infrastructure-projects (https://www.google.com/amp/s/philly.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/9/18/16227724/philadelphia-top-transportation-infrastructure-projects)

iPhone

Slow down.

From that article...

Quote
Here, we highlight six transportation projects that all have potential to be game-changers for this city and its 1.5 million residents.

QuoteThat could change eventually, with a feasibility study underway to extend the Broad Street subway line from the final stop at the stadiums to the Navy Yard.

I've seen the studies and the route proposals.  I also know that SEPTA doesn't have the hundreds of millions layout around to do the extension.  Anything reviewed so far are just ideas, with 3 main subway options being considered.  Shuttle buses are being looked at as well.

BTW, here's the study: http://www.septa.org/notice/pdf/2019-BSL-Extension-Study.pdf
Sorry about that, I dont know how I missed that. I got excited lmao.

But PENNDOT should seriously do the subway option. Not because its a city & I love subways, but because the Navy Yard is a nice area & they plan to grow it more & build housing. Shuttle busses are the cheap option. But making the area only accessible to vehicles will kill it with traffic. I go thru the area daily & I notice lots of cars, no one on a bike, & etc. this area will not be city friendly. Also if anything they could atleast try a trolley line on it own ROW if the subway is to expensive.

This area will just become another area infested with cars & traffic.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 05:06:55 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 18, 2019, 04:53:44 PMBut PENNDOT SEPTA should seriously do the subway option.
FTFY.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 20, 2019, 03:12:42 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on November 18, 2019, 05:06:55 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 18, 2019, 04:53:44 PMBut PENNDOT SEPTA should seriously do the subway option.
FTFY.
Ahh yes. Thank you. This is also a Septa Project.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 26, 2020, 12:04:54 PM
Not sure whether this should be a separate topic or not; but since it pertains to Philly, I'll post it here.

Red-Light Cameras Along Roosevelt Boulevard Intersection Still Operational Despite Safety Concerns From 2017 Study (https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/02/24/cbs3-exclusive-red-light-cameras-along-roosevelt-boulevard-intersection-still-operational-despite-safety-concerns-from-2017-study/?fbclid=IwAR3qxpUaxNlORcs2S7HaaKxWj-2rB8pmjVcv9gjjNKEcba3sGJUC2qXVtgg)

Quote from: CBS Philly ArticleA study by the Pennsylvania Transportation Advisory Committee published in 2017 and obtained by Eyewitness News, analyzed crash data from five years before and five years after red-light cameras were implemented at three intersections along Roosevelt Boulevard in 2005.

The report found that injuries in all crashes are actually higher after red-light cameras were implemented at Roosevelt Boulevard and Red Lion Road, showing injuries there increased from 73 to 125, a 71% increase.

According to the report, the result suggests that red-light cameras are "not the solution to this intersection's safety challenges and that other measures are required."

But Eyewitness News discovered the cameras are still operational.

When asked why, PennDOT officials said they believe all previously approved red-light cameras should remain.

"There's no clear offsetting benefit to removing them, and the concern is that without the threat of enforcement, red-light-running behavior could even increase, which is a risk that we can't afford to take,"  said PennDOT spokesperson Alexis Campbell.

The 2017 report suggests most injuries from the Roosevelt and Red Lion Road tend to be rear-end crashes as opposed to angle crashes from red-light running that can cause more serious injury.

But the report also uses the intersection to highlight the need to select red-light camera intersections "carefully to maximize the likelihood of yielding safety benefits."

...

But in Philadelphia, city leaders insist the cameras are here to stay and, despite the 2017 report, are all properly working.

"The city's policy is to prioritize human life when addressing traffic safety and so there are no plans to remove the cameras or discontinue this statewide program,"  Kelly Cofrancisco, the city's communications director, said.

...

Last year alone, Philadelphia's red-light cameras netted $14.9 million. Officials say that's additional money for safer roads. But others claim it's a city cash grab.

The National Motorists Association is a lobbying group that opposes red-light cameras.

"It really is a taxation by citation scheme perpetrated by the city to make money,"  said Shelia Dunn with the NMA.

"I wish we didn't make a single dollar. I wish we lost money. That would make me happy,"  said Scott Petri, the executive director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

To date, 138 red-light cameras have been placed at 31 intersections across Philadelphia, and have captured 226,000 red-light runners in Fiscal Year 2019.

More money is expected to pour in this year after speed cameras become operational along the Roosevelt in the coming months.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 26, 2020, 12:19:07 PM
Quote
Last year alone, Philadelphia's red-light cameras netted $14.9 million. Officials say that's additional money for safer roads. But others claim it's a city cash grab.

In addition to this being reported 2 years too late, the reporter should've seized upon what the officials mentioned above.  It should be money for a safer INTERSECTION.  Getting $15 million from that intersection to use it on roads elsewhere in the city is the exact definition of a money grab.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Beltway on February 26, 2020, 01:49:52 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 26, 2020, 12:19:07 PM
Quote
Last year alone, Philadelphia's red-light cameras netted $14.9 million. Officials say that's additional money for safer roads. But others claim it's a city cash grab.
In addition to this being reported 2 years too late, the reporter should've seized upon what the officials mentioned above.  It should be money for a safer INTERSECTION.  Getting $15 million from that intersection to use it on roads elsewhere in the city is the exact definition of a money grab.
The article said that the $15 million came from 31 intersections across Philadelphia, that captured 226,000 red-light runners in Fiscal Year 2019.

That averages to $66 per ticket.

These camera systems are high-tech systems and cost in the realm of $500 thousand to $1 million apiece, and don't last for more than a few years before needing replacement.  In addition to the legal problems with these red-light cameras, they probably don't even produce much net revenue.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 06, 2020, 12:24:35 PM
Work zone speed cameras are bow being added through I-95 in Philly. The VMS states it from the Delaware/PA line.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on March 09, 2020, 08:01:06 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 06, 2020, 12:24:35 PM
Work zone speed cameras are bow being added through I-95 in Philly. The VMS states it from the Delaware/PA line.


iPhone

The VMS messages are misleading (they were running them all over the state, including where there are currently no cameras).  What is happening is work zone cameras will start issuing tickets today (March 9).  They will not be in all work zones and will only be there when workers are present.  I-95 currently does not have any listed camera sites on the program website, but they could add one in the future as the program ramps up for construction season.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on March 09, 2020, 09:25:45 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 09, 2020, 08:01:06 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 06, 2020, 12:24:35 PM
Work zone speed cameras are bow being added through I-95 in Philly. The VMS states it from the Delaware/PA line.


iPhone

The VMS messages are misleading (they were running them all over the state, including where there are currently no cameras).  What is happening is work zone cameras will start issuing tickets today (March 9).  They will not be in all work zones and will only be there when workers are present.  I-95 currently does not have any listed camera sites on the program website, but they could add one in the future as the program ramps up for construction season.
Oh wow, I was wondering where the cameras were set up. I thought they were gonna do photos from the "sky"  or something.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 10, 2020, 08:31:18 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 09, 2020, 09:25:45 PM
Oh wow, I was wondering where the cameras were set up. I thought they were gonna do photos from the "sky"  or something.
From CBS 3 (https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/03/09/pennsylvania-work-zone-speed-cameras-go-into-effect-around-region/):

US 1 Bucks County
US 1 Philadelphia
PA 309 Bucks County
I-476 Montgomery County
I-78 Berks County

Edit below in blue:

As far as where exactly such will be set up; guess on my part, ground/vehicle-mounted camera apparatus in the work zones.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on March 10, 2020, 08:32:59 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 10, 2020, 08:31:18 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 09, 2020, 09:25:45 PM
Oh wow, I was wondering where the cameras were set up. I thought they were gonna do photos from the "sky"  or something.
From CBS 3 (https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/03/09/pennsylvania-work-zone-speed-cameras-go-into-effect-around-region/):

US 1 Bucks County
US 1 Philadelphia
PA 309 Bucks County
I-476 Montgomery County
I-78 Berks County

As far as where exactly such will be set up; guess on my  part, ground-mounted camera apparatus in the work zones.

The cameras are located on top of white Jeep Grand Cherokees.  In fact, one photo I saw had the words "Speed Enforcement Vehicle" on the back.  In addition, there are two signs prior to the camera notifying that they are in use.  Compared to Maryland, they are making these cameras very obvious.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 10, 2020, 09:42:59 AM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 10, 2020, 08:32:59 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 10, 2020, 08:31:18 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 09, 2020, 09:25:45 PM
Oh wow, I was wondering where the cameras were set up. I thought they were gonna do photos from the "sky"  or something.
From CBS 3 (https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/03/09/pennsylvania-work-zone-speed-cameras-go-into-effect-around-region/):

US 1 Bucks County
US 1 Philadelphia
PA 309 Bucks County
I-476 Montgomery County
I-78 Berks County

As far as where exactly such will be set up; guess on my  part, ground-mounted camera apparatus in the work zones.

The cameras are located on top of white Jeep Grand Cherokees.  In fact, one photo I saw had the words "Speed Enforcement Vehicle" on the back.  In addition, there are two signs prior to the camera notifying that they are in use.  Compared to Maryland, they are making these cameras very obvious.

Now, if your still going 15 above the limit and spot a vehicle, you're gonna have to slam on the brakes to get below the threshold by the time you can react to it. But otherwise you're either gonna be OK, or gonna get caught!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on March 10, 2020, 09:52:50 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 10, 2020, 09:42:59 AM
Quote from: MASTERNC on March 10, 2020, 08:32:59 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 10, 2020, 08:31:18 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on March 09, 2020, 09:25:45 PM
Oh wow, I was wondering where the cameras were set up. I thought they were gonna do photos from the "sky"  or something.
From CBS 3 (https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/03/09/pennsylvania-work-zone-speed-cameras-go-into-effect-around-region/):

US 1 Bucks County
US 1 Philadelphia
PA 309 Bucks County
I-476 Montgomery County
I-78 Berks County

As far as where exactly such will be set up; guess on my  part, ground-mounted camera apparatus in the work zones.

The cameras are located on top of white Jeep Grand Cherokees.  In fact, one photo I saw had the words "Speed Enforcement Vehicle" on the back.  In addition, there are two signs prior to the camera notifying that they are in use.  Compared to Maryland, they are making these cameras very obvious.

Now, if your still going 15 above the limit and spot a vehicle, you're gonna have to slam on the brakes to get below the threshold by the time you can react to it. But otherwise you're either gonna be OK, or gonna get caught!

If you miss the advance warning signage or still aren't watching your speed, you better hope you can cut 5 MPH off quickly (the threshold for a ticket is 11 MPH over the speed limit).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on March 10, 2020, 11:16:01 AM
My usual practice is to keep it 10 over the limit. In PA, since the work zone limits are so low (45 on I-95) and no one follows them, I usually nudge it higher, but guess I won't be doing that anymore.

It is kinda funny though, in MD they have the cameras in work zones, but a lot of work zones don't have reduced limits, so I cruise right through without a care (doing my typical +10) while half the other people around me slow down in panic.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on March 11, 2020, 08:10:07 AM
Quote from: famartin on March 10, 2020, 11:16:01 AM
My usual practice is to keep it 10 over the limit. In PA, since the work zone limits are so low (45 on I-95) and no one follows them, I usually nudge it higher, but guess I won't be doing that anymore.

It is kinda funny though, in MD they have the cameras in work zones, but a lot of work zones don't have reduced limits, so I cruise right through without a care (doing my typical +10) while half the other people around me slow down in panic.

You're OK keeping normal practice unless you see a sign for cameras.  My guess is people will only slow down if they see the signs (whether the State Police take advantage of that and run radar where there are no cameras is anybody's guess).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 05:23:03 PM
The DVRPC is going thru the process of "Connections 2050", which is their long-range plan for the region. 

Personally, I don't think they come close to succeeding in their goals, as they tend to be reactive rather than proactive, and any true vision can be undone real quick if a politician or local group makes enough fuss. That said, they have a survey that you can fill out to inform them of their views.  While the DVRPC should be a wide-ranging transportation planning commission, they have been very pro-anything but roads over the past 30 years, and that trend continues. For example, very few of the stated options allow for a traffic-improvement answer.  When the questions allowed an 'other' response, I made note to include the widening of the Schuylkill Expressway as a vision for the future, if for no other reason to point out that the planning commission needs to realize that cars aren't going away, and truckers still need to make deliveries to and from the city. 

Yes, if you noticed my editorialization of this, you get the hint that the commission has become more of an advocacy group for mass transit, pedestrians & bicyclists, rather than a commission that focuses on all forms of transportation for the entire region. 

As a bonus, you can also win a $50 gift card for completing the survey.

Have fun!

https://www.research.net/r/connections2050survey1
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on June 25, 2020, 06:01:00 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 05:23:03 PM
The DVRPC is going thru the process of "Connections 2050", which is their long-range plan for the region. 

Personally, I don't think they come close to succeeding in their goals, as they tend to be reactive rather than proactive, and any true vision can be undone real quick if a politician or local group makes enough fuss. That said, they have a survey that you can fill out to inform them of their views.  While the DVRPC should be a wide-ranging transportation planning commission, they have been very pro-anything but roads over the past 30 years, and that trend continues. For example, very few of the stated options allow for a traffic-improvement answer.  When the questions allowed an 'other' response, I made note to include the widening of the Schuylkill Expressway as a vision for the future, if for no other reason to point out that the planning commission needs to realize that cars aren't going away, and truckers still need to make deliveries to and from the city. 

Yes, if you noticed my editorialization of this, you get the hint that the commission has become more of an advocacy group for mass transit, pedestrians & bicyclists, rather than a commission that focuses on all forms of transportation for the entire region. 

As a bonus, you can also win a $50 gift card for completing the survey.

Have fun!

https://www.research.net/r/connections2050survey1

I vote that if any of us wins $50, we have to take Jeff and Nicole (both) out for cheesesteak.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 06:20:24 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 06:01:00 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 05:23:03 PM
The DVRPC is going thru the process of "Connections 2050", which is their long-range plan for the region. 

Personally, I don't think they come close to succeeding in their goals, as they tend to be reactive rather than proactive, and any true vision can be undone real quick if a politician or local group makes enough fuss. That said, they have a survey that you can fill out to inform them of their views.  While the DVRPC should be a wide-ranging transportation planning commission, they have been very pro-anything but roads over the past 30 years, and that trend continues. For example, very few of the stated options allow for a traffic-improvement answer.  When the questions allowed an 'other' response, I made note to include the widening of the Schuylkill Expressway as a vision for the future, if for no other reason to point out that the planning commission needs to realize that cars aren't going away, and truckers still need to make deliveries to and from the city. 

Yes, if you noticed my editorialization of this, you get the hint that the commission has become more of an advocacy group for mass transit, pedestrians & bicyclists, rather than a commission that focuses on all forms of transportation for the entire region. 

As a bonus, you can also win a $50 gift card for completing the survey.

Have fun!

https://www.research.net/r/connections2050survey1

I vote that if any of us wins $50, we have to take Jeff and Nicole (both) out for cheesesteak.
Official cheesesteak of philly right? Genos or Pats Jeff. 2 cheese steaks, a drink & fries will run you $62.50 & that will be cash only no card.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on June 25, 2020, 07:34:11 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 06:20:24 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 06:01:00 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 05:23:03 PM
The DVRPC is going thru the process of "Connections 2050", which is their long-range plan for the region. 

Personally, I don't think they come close to succeeding in their goals, as they tend to be reactive rather than proactive, and any true vision can be undone real quick if a politician or local group makes enough fuss. That said, they have a survey that you can fill out to inform them of their views.  While the DVRPC should be a wide-ranging transportation planning commission, they have been very pro-anything but roads over the past 30 years, and that trend continues. For example, very few of the stated options allow for a traffic-improvement answer.  When the questions allowed an 'other' response, I made note to include the widening of the Schuylkill Expressway as a vision for the future, if for no other reason to point out that the planning commission needs to realize that cars aren't going away, and truckers still need to make deliveries to and from the city. 

Yes, if you noticed my editorialization of this, you get the hint that the commission has become more of an advocacy group for mass transit, pedestrians & bicyclists, rather than a commission that focuses on all forms of transportation for the entire region. 

As a bonus, you can also win a $50 gift card for completing the survey.

Have fun!

https://www.research.net/r/connections2050survey1

I vote that if any of us wins $50, we have to take Jeff and Nicole (both) out for cheesesteak.
Official cheesesteak of philly right? Genos or Pats Jeff. 2 cheese steaks, a drink & fries will run you $62.50 & that will be cash only no card.


iPhone
I think we go with the unofficial, much better ones.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 25, 2020, 10:18:59 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 05:23:03 PM
The DVRPC is going thru the process of "Connections 2050", which is their long-range plan for the region. 

That said, they have a survey that you can fill out to inform them of their views. 
https://www.research.net/r/connections2050survey1


How about we fill out a survey to inform them of your views?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 11:26:27 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 07:34:11 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 06:20:24 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 06:01:00 PM
I vote that if any of us wins $50, we have to take Jeff and Nicole (both) out for cheesesteak.
Official cheesesteak of philly right? Genos or Pats Jeff. 2 cheese steaks, a drink & fries will run you $62.50 & that will be cash only no card.
iPhone
I think we go with the unofficial, much better ones.

We vote yes, and we choose a place called Gooey Looies. 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aBrXZNiRQcpnrwa58

Overstuffed, large hoagies and cheesesteaks. The pics look like crap and don't do it justice.  Well worth the toll just to stop there on occasion.

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 25, 2020, 10:18:59 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 05:23:03 PM
The DVRPC is going thru the process of "Connections 2050", which is their long-range plan for the region. 

That said, they have a survey that you can fill out to inform them of their views. 
https://www.research.net/r/connections2050survey1


How about we fill out a survey to inform them of your views?

Sounds good to me!  I was on the Regional Citizens Committee many years ago, but wasn't really worth my time. I still get the packets of info online from them, which I occasionally share on here when there's something of interest (to me).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Hwy 61 Revisited on June 25, 2020, 11:49:01 PM
They still should have built the Pulaski, Roosevelt, and Cobbs Creek Expressways. And also upgraded 291 to an expressway. And extended Woodhaven Road to the Turnpike. And built a freeway along 322 in NJ to make at least a 3/4 beltway at the ACX.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 11:54:10 PM
Quote from: Hwy 61 Revisited on June 25, 2020, 11:49:01 PM
They still should have built the Pulaski, Roosevelt, and Cobbs Creek Expressways. And also upgraded 291 to an expressway. And extended Woodhaven Road to the Turnpike. And built a freeway along 322 in NJ to make at least a 3/4 beltway at the ACX.
676 3rd continuous lane laughs at your list.


iPhone
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 11:55:21 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 11:26:27 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 07:34:11 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 06:20:24 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 06:01:00 PM
I vote that if any of us wins $50, we have to take Jeff and Nicole (both) out for cheesesteak.
Official cheesesteak of philly right? Genos or Pats Jeff. 2 cheese steaks, a drink & fries will run you $62.50 & that will be cash only no card.
iPhone
I think we go with the unofficial, much better ones.

We vote yes, and we choose a place called Gooey Looies. 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aBrXZNiRQcpnrwa58

Overstuffed, large hoagies and cheesesteaks. The pics look like crap and don't do it justice.  Well worth the toll just to stop there on occasion.
[/quote]

That looks like a good spot! There are a couple spots on Market & by south street that serve good cheesesteaks.

Im shocked whenever people go to genos/pats. They are really shitty.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 26, 2020, 01:29:12 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 11:55:21 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 11:26:27 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 07:34:11 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 06:20:24 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 06:01:00 PM
I vote that if any of us wins $50, we have to take Jeff and Nicole (both) out for cheesesteak.
Official cheesesteak of philly right? Genos or Pats Jeff. 2 cheese steaks, a drink & fries will run you $62.50 & that will be cash only no card.
iPhone
I think we go with the unofficial, much better ones.
We vote yes, and we choose a place called Gooey Looies. 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aBrXZNiRQcpnrwa58

Overstuffed, large hoagies and cheesesteaks. The pics look like crap and don't do it justice.  Well worth the toll just to stop there on occasion.

That looks like a good spot! There are a couple spots on Market & by south street that serve good cheesesteaks.

Im shocked whenever people go to genos/pats. They are really shitty.


iPhone

Many people that say Geno's and Pat's suck because they're tourist traps, and instead mention other places on tourist strips that are much better.  They're still tourist traps!!  Jim's is frequently mentioned on South Street, where all the tourists flock.  You're not going to find many residents there.

If anything, Genos/Pats actually have quite a loyal, local following. They're deep in the South Philly Neighborhood.  Sure, during the day you'll see a good number of visitors there.  But at 11pm at night, you're not seeing buses pull up, or people trying the Genos vs. Pats war.  You'll see locals walking up from the nearby streets, and walk back down those same streets.

I attribute some of the flack to the underdog nature of the city.  We have sports teams with some of the fewest championship banners in the majors.  So whenever a place is named a favorite, it's immediately looked down upon, and an underdog is named the one to believe in.  I'd bet if Genos and Pats closed down today, Jims suddenly would be the place to hate.

Besides...The really good cheesesteaks will be found in the local delis and pizzerias, without names that pop up on the Travel Channel.  They will be found throughout the region.  Not on a 10 block stretch of the tourist/night crowd section of the city.

BTW, since you mentioned the price - Genos and Pats may be a buck or two higher than the others, but they really get you on the cheese fries.  I think the last time I was there a decent serving of fries was $3 or so.  A glob of cheese on top?  Another $3!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on June 29, 2020, 09:00:42 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 26, 2020, 01:29:12 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 11:55:21 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2020, 11:26:27 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 07:34:11 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 25, 2020, 06:20:24 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2020, 06:01:00 PM
I vote that if any of us wins $50, we have to take Jeff and Nicole (both) out for cheesesteak.
Official cheesesteak of philly right? Genos or Pats Jeff. 2 cheese steaks, a drink & fries will run you $62.50 & that will be cash only no card.
iPhone
I think we go with the unofficial, much better ones.
We vote yes, and we choose a place called Gooey Looies. 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aBrXZNiRQcpnrwa58

Overstuffed, large hoagies and cheesesteaks. The pics look like crap and don't do it justice.  Well worth the toll just to stop there on occasion.

That looks like a good spot! There are a couple spots on Market & by south street that serve good cheesesteaks.

Im shocked whenever people go to genos/pats. They are really shitty.


iPhone

Many people that say Geno's and Pat's suck because they're tourist traps, and instead mention other places on tourist strips that are much better.  They're still tourist traps!!  Jim's is frequently mentioned on South Street, where all the tourists flock.  You're not going to find many residents there.

If anything, Genos/Pats actually have quite a loyal, local following. They're deep in the South Philly Neighborhood.  Sure, during the day you'll see a good number of visitors there.  But at 11pm at night, you're not seeing buses pull up, or people trying the Genos vs. Pats war.  You'll see locals walking up from the nearby streets, and walk back down those same streets.

I attribute some of the flack to the underdog nature of the city.  We have sports teams with some of the fewest championship banners in the majors.  So whenever a place is named a favorite, it's immediately looked down upon, and an underdog is named the one to believe in.  I'd bet if Genos and Pats closed down today, Jims suddenly would be the place to hate.

Besides...The really good cheesesteaks will be found in the local delis and pizzerias, without names that pop up on the Travel Channel.  They will be found throughout the region.  Not on a 10 block stretch of the tourist/night crowd section of the city.

BTW, since you mentioned the price - Genos and Pats may be a buck or two higher than the others, but they really get you on the cheese fries.  I think the last time I was there a decent serving of fries was $3 or so.  A glob of cheese on top?  Another $3!
Oh yea not the big named spots, the smaller named spots like delarossis, maxs (if you go over north Philly), any little side street delis will make 100% better cheesesteaks then Geno's, Pats, Jims, & any other big touristy spot.

I have noticed at night that it is majority people from philly that goes to these places, I assume because its better then WAWA & its the only place open @3am. So its good for a quick fix.

However I assume Genos/Pats started off as authentic & delicious just as wawa did, but money & fame make you do things differently so you can keep up with the demand & look. So it's truly the peoples fault for the demise of these places.

Its amazing Genos/Pats only accepts cash, it surely doesn't keep costs down since like you said they charge $3.00 for fries & $3.00 for the cheese & oh yea $3.00 for a bottle of Genos finest water.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: storm2k on June 30, 2020, 10:54:17 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on June 29, 2020, 09:00:42 PM
Its amazing Genos/Pats only accepts cash, it surely doesn't keep costs down since like you said they charge $3.00 for fries & $3.00 for the cheese & oh yea $3.00 for a bottle of Genos finest water.

It's not, when you think about it. They're tourist traps so they can charge whatever they want. And since they don't take credit, they don't lose those percentages of their profits to the CC companies, but people will still flock there.
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 09, 2020, 07:59:55 PM
Ummm so im driving on I-76 today & notice the beams
On the over pass by the murals is literally hanging down.

Don't know if it's because I drive a pickup truck now, but it looks like this is bad.


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200709/fe55ad7272cdc7d0378c3220df802569.jpg)

Does penndot know about this?


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 09, 2020, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on July 09, 2020, 07:59:55 PM
Ummm so im driving on I-76 today & notice the beams
On the over pass by the murals is literally hanging down.

Don't know if it's because I drive a pickup truck now, but it looks like this is bad.


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200709/fe55ad7272cdc7d0378c3220df802569.jpg)

Does penndot know about this?


iPhone

They just look like different size steel beams, sloped down due to curvature of the bridge. This also shows that PennDOT is horrible in painting their bridge beams on a regular basis.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: qguy on July 09, 2020, 11:31:09 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 09, 2020, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on July 09, 2020, 07:59:55 PM
Ummm so im driving on I-76 today & notice the beams
On the over pass by the murals is literally hanging down.

Don't know if it's because I drive a pickup truck now, but it looks like this is bad.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200709/fe55ad7272cdc7d0378c3220df802569.jpg)

Does penndot know about this?
iPhone
They just look like different size steel beams, sloped down due to curvature of the bridge. This also shows that PennDOT is horrible in painting their bridge beams on a regular basis.

I used to work at this PennDOT district (District 6-0). I can vouch for the fact that they are meticulous about inspecting their bridges. The bridge section knows about it and it's safe.

But like j&n implied, they would also say, "paint-schmaint." Which I've always disliked.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 09, 2020, 11:49:50 PM
Quote from: qguy on July 09, 2020, 11:31:09 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 09, 2020, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on July 09, 2020, 07:59:55 PM
Ummm so im driving on I-76 today & notice the beams
On the over pass by the murals is literally hanging down.

Don't know if it's because I drive a pickup truck now, but it looks like this is bad.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200709/fe55ad7272cdc7d0378c3220df802569.jpg)

Does penndot know about this?
iPhone
They just look like different size steel beams, sloped down due to curvature of the bridge. This also shows that PennDOT is horrible in painting their bridge beams on a regular basis.

I used to work at this PennDOT district (District 6-0). I can vouch for the fact that they are meticulous about inspecting their bridges. The bridge section knows about it and it's safe.

But like j&n implied, they would also say, "paint-schmaint." Which I've always disliked.
Ok good. Im glad they take the bridges serious now & wont let it fail like in the 70's with the septa subway bridge in chinatown.

Thats also one thing about philly, they do not repaint bridges for anything, does the rust color bring a culture?

Also this is the other half I saw that alarmed me.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200710/fcb50553f9ebf5b5a78e7e9000982a82.jpg)


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on July 20, 2020, 10:05:28 AM
Looks like the Variable Speed Limit system is nearing launch on I-76.  There are now Variable Speed Limit Ahead warning signs on the on-ramps.  However, they are not highway size, use a Clearview-type font, and have more rounded edges than normal.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: seicer on July 21, 2020, 10:14:31 AM
It doesn't seem to be a structural issue @Tony as much as a slight of the eye or perhaps a mismatch in Google's Streetview algorithm.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 21, 2020, 10:17:29 AM
Quote from: seicer on July 21, 2020, 10:14:31 AM
It doesn't seem to be a structural issue @Tony as much as a slight of the eye or perhaps a mismatch in Google's Streetview algorithm.
Its just how they built the bridge. In person the beams are hanging down like they are broken. But as someone who worked for Penndot in that district said Penndot is very serious about checking bridges.

Also Im probably just noticing this now because I drive a pickup truck, compared to my old sedan.

Ive drove this strip for years & never noticed it till a couple weeks ago.

I just didnt want another mishap of the 1984 railline in center city.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 05, 2020, 11:27:59 AM
PennDOT announced that I-676 is currently closed between I-76 and PA 611 due to a loose barge contacting the noeth side of the Schuylkill River Bridge.  (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=5957) Dependent on the bridge inspection, I-676 EB may reopen today, but I-676 WB will remain closed either way as the flood waters from Isaias need to recede before the barge can be removed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on August 06, 2020, 08:32:45 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on August 05, 2020, 11:27:59 AM
PennDOT announced that I-676 is currently closed between I-76 and PA 611 due to a loose barge contacting the noeth side of the Schuylkill River Bridge.  (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=5957) Dependent on the bridge inspection, I-676 EB may reopen today, but I-676 WB will remain closed either way as the flood waters from Isaias need to recede before the barge can be removed.

KYW 1060 yesterday was reporting that the barge was part of an Army CofE dredging project.  Is the Schuylkill River "officially" navigable all the way upriver to the dam at the old waterworks?

I've also noticed the past two weekends,WB (only) I-76 between University Av. and I-676 has been closed.  Is related to the aforementioned dredging project?

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on August 06, 2020, 08:38:52 AM
The dredging in support of the regattas that use that section of the river.

Quote
The dredging began in early June, with the goal of removing 60,000 cubic yards of sediment that has created hazards for rowers and threatened famed regattas such as the Dad Vail. In preparation, docks along Boathouse Row were removed for the first time in a century.

The Schuylkill Navy, an association of amateur rowing clubs, raised funds to help pay for the dredging to avoid having regattas canceled because of sediment buildup. Though the effort began years ago, it ran into a roadblock this spring with the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.
from https://www.inquirer.com/science/barge-hit-vine-street-expressway-676-dredging-boathouse-row-20200805.html

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on August 06, 2020, 08:43:02 AM
Quote from: ixnay on August 06, 2020, 08:32:45 AM
...I've also noticed the past two weekends,WB (only) I-76 between University Av. and I-676 has been closed.  Is related to the aforementioned dredging project?

ixnay

Just general repaving/road work on the Schuykill Expressway.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on August 06, 2020, 08:45:34 AM
Speaking of 76 the BGS by the airport exit & oregon have have been updated to new shiny signs.

I didnt get a picture as that area isnt good to stop in.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on August 06, 2020, 08:50:14 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on August 06, 2020, 08:45:34 AM
Speaking of 76 the BGS by the airport exit & oregon have have been updated to new shiny signs.

I didnt get a picture as that area isnt good to stop in.


iPhone

Different from the ones in this post? https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=25649.msg2442342#msg2442342
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on August 06, 2020, 08:55:45 AM
Quote from: Flyer78 on August 06, 2020, 08:50:14 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on August 06, 2020, 08:45:34 AM
Speaking of 76 the BGS by the airport exit & oregon have have been updated to new shiny signs.

I didnt get a picture as that area isnt good to stop in.


iPhone

Different from the ones in this post? https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=25649.msg2442342#msg2442342
You know it looks like the updated one still but it looks shiny & different. & I drive the area regularly. Let me look again today.

I could be mistaken.

But yes those are the signs.


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 06, 2020, 02:12:59 PM
I-676 EB has reopened. (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=5968)

EDIT:  And now both directions (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=5970).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on August 07, 2020, 08:38:01 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 06, 2020, 08:43:02 AM
Quote from: ixnay on August 06, 2020, 08:32:45 AM
...I've also noticed the past two weekends,WB (only) I-76 between University Av. and I-676 has been closed.  Is related to the aforementioned dredging project?

ixnay

Just general repaving/road work on the Schuykill Expressway.

It couldn't be that routine if that (long enough) stretch is being shut down whole weekends, could it?  The pavement must be REALLY bad...

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on August 07, 2020, 09:16:29 AM
Quote from: ixnay on August 07, 2020, 08:38:01 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 06, 2020, 08:43:02 AM
Quote from: ixnay on August 06, 2020, 08:32:45 AM
...I've also noticed the past two weekends,WB (only) I-76 between University Av. and I-676 has been closed.  Is related to the aforementioned dredging project?

ixnay

Just general repaving/road work on the Schuykill Expressway.

It couldn't be that routine if that (long enough) stretch is being shut down whole weekends, could it?  The pavement must be REALLY bad...

ixnay
There are two projects occurring at once:

1. That section is a long viaduct - part of the Schuylkill River flows under...so the viaduct is being rehabbed (beams, piers, deck, etc), and the paving is one of the final stages of that.  IN addition, the median barrier is being repaired.
2.  The viaduct above - Schuylkill Avenue - is also being repaired as part of the Chestnut St bridge rehab.
Title: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on January 09, 2021, 09:41:57 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210110/3be52b0fc8abfea95e6766f1b5a8f715.jpg)


iPhone

Philly had some solid Trolley lines before they cut them after 1974.

I saw a map showing the trolley lines in the 1800's & you could hit every block in philly from a trolley.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on February 24, 2021, 01:01:39 PM
https://www.phila.gov/media/20190603120413/Comprehensive-Plan-1960.pdf

Pretty cool master plan by the city for building out the expressway and transit system from 60 years past.
I don't know why I never bothered to look it up before, but there it is starting on page 102 of the pdf.  (page 92 as marked)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Dirt Roads on February 24, 2021, 06:07:09 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on January 09, 2021, 09:41:57 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210110/3be52b0fc8abfea95e6766f1b5a8f715.jpg)
Philly had some solid Trolley lines before they cut them after 1974.

Philly still had a number of trolley lines when I worked on the Market-Frankford (Blue) Line (which is not a trolley) back in the early 1990s.  There are still six trolley lines in Philadelphia, including the Girard Avenue line and the rest of which spiral out of the Market Street Green Line subway.  The Green Line subway operates similar to the Market Street subway in San Francisco, with trolley lines switching over to communications-based train control while bunching up in the tunnel.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 24, 2021, 08:07:45 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on February 24, 2021, 01:01:39 PM
https://www.phila.gov/media/20190603120413/Comprehensive-Plan-1960.pdf

Pretty cool master plan by the city for building out the expressway and transit system from 60 years past.
I don't know why I never bothered to look it up before, but there it is starting on page 102 of the pdf.  (page 92 as marked)
Nice find.  The last graphic on pages 119-120 showing future land use features an early but never adopted alignment of what would be I-95 situated south of the airport (PHL).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on February 25, 2021, 01:24:34 PM
Thanks.  I saw all sorts of nuggets in there that I never knew about. 
The spur coming off the top of the NE Expressway into Bucks County and the PATP. 
The big dogleg connecting the Roosevelt Expressway and Northeast Expressway.
The MFE/Subway or trolley extension to the airport. 
1960 was pretty much the turning point for Philly.  They were looking at 2+ million citizens living there and had the means to plan large.  As we know, things turned out differently, and the environment changed for most large projects..
A case in point, they were planning for helicopter pads all over! LOL.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: qguy on February 26, 2021, 06:43:32 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on February 24, 2021, 08:07:45 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on February 24, 2021, 01:01:39 PM
https://www.phila.gov/media/20190603120413/Comprehensive-Plan-1960.pdf

Pretty cool master plan by the city for building out the expressway and transit system from 60 years past.
I don't know why I never bothered to look it up before, but there it is starting on page 102 of the pdf.  (page 92 as marked)
Nice find.  The last graphic on pages 119-120 showing future land use features an early but never adopted alignment of what would be I-95 situated south of the airport (PHL).

I-95's double-deck Girard Point Bridge over the Schuylkill River was actually constructed along that planned alignment. This explains the sweeping approach of the carriageways on the bridge's south side.

I remember riding in the family car over the Platt Bridge (just upriver from the Girard Point Bridge) in 1974. The current alignment of I-95 had been adopted by then but the roadway and viaduct on the south side around the airport were still over ten years away from being constructed. My father pointed out the still-disconnected bridge and expressed it as, "They built it in the wrong place."
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Henry on February 26, 2021, 10:48:21 AM
Center City would've been completely destroyed with all those freeways, because the Mid-Town Loop and Crosstown Expressways surrounding the Vine Street (I-676) would be overkill. Same with Southwest Philly, where the Industrial Expressway was to parallel the Delaware (I-95).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 26, 2021, 01:19:57 PM
Quote from: qguy on February 26, 2021, 06:43:32 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on February 24, 2021, 08:07:45 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on February 24, 2021, 01:01:39 PM
https://www.phila.gov/media/20190603120413/Comprehensive-Plan-1960.pdf

Pretty cool master plan by the city for building out the expressway and transit system from 60 years past.
I don't know why I never bothered to look it up before, but there it is starting on page 102 of the pdf.  (page 92 as marked)
Nice find.  The last graphic on pages 119-120 showing future land use features an early but never adopted alignment of what would be I-95 situated south of the airport (PHL).

I-95's double-deck Girard Point Bridge over the Schuylkill River was actually constructed along that planned alignment. This explains the sweeping approach of the carriageways on the bridge's south side.

The alignment does allow the bridge the shortest path over the Schuykill River in that area. A perfectly straight alignment would've meant a bridge probably 3 times as long, with more interference with the Platt Bridge's southern end.

It's a bit less clear how 95 south/west of the airport would've tied in though...it appears a sweeping curve would have been required down there instead. Ultimately, there was really no perfect, easiest spot to build 95.  As it is, the airport is fairly landlocked.  95 towards the river would have given the airport limited ability to extend or add new runways where the current runways existed.  At least without the highway, they can build a new/extended runway into the river a bit. This idea was proposed, but was ultimately cancelled several years ago when they deemed other modifications could assist with reducing flight delays.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 26, 2021, 05:41:03 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 26, 2021, 01:19:57 PMIt's a bit less clear how 95 south/west of the airport would've tied in though...it appears a sweeping curve would have been required down there instead. Ultimately, there was really no perfect, easiest spot to build 95.  As it is, the airport is fairly landlocked.  95 towards the river would have given the airport limited ability to extend or add new runways where the current runways existed.  At least without the highway, they can build a new/extended runway into the river a bit. This idea was proposed, but was ultimately cancelled several years ago when they deemed other modifications could assist with reducing flight delays.
Yes & no with regarding the new/extended runway. 
Yes, the plan to build an additional/4th parallel runway was dropped/suspended/cancelled; but the extension of Runway 9R-27L indeed happened (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8690963,-75.2390686,1308m/data=!3m1!1e3).  I know such because I worked on that project for 3-1/2 years.  Such used to end at the north-south taxiway (old Taxiway S1/current Taxiway SS3) west of the Berwyn Aviation hangar.

The suspension of the additional runway coincided with a new Director of the Division of Aviation taking over as well as the American/US Airways merger.  The latter, coupled with the past mergers of Delta/Northwest, Continental/United & AirTran/Southwest reduced the overall number of flights to/from PHL.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on March 01, 2021, 01:18:49 PM
Quote from: Henry on February 26, 2021, 10:48:21 AM
Center City would've been completely destroyed with all those freeways, because the Mid-Town Loop and Crosstown Expressways surrounding the Vine Street (I-676) would be overkill.
I would agree.  Today's Center City would have been quite different for one distinct reason.  SouthBridge would have been a giant lift that may have come at the expense of the center city commuter tunnel.  I can't see both getting buy in from the feds in the mid 70's.
http://www.phillyroads.com/roads/crosstown/  (thanks to the author Steve Anderson)

The commuter tunnel allows two commuter systems to connect.  The Crosstown Expressway under SouthBridge allowed redundancy that would have likely destroyed/modified the neighborhoods it touched.  A light rail line going down South Street (or whatever it would be called) would have lasted as long as SEPTA wanted to run it.  There's a likely chance it would have been killed in the mid '80's or early 90's like a lot of other routes under their control for "busitution".

Personally, I would have loved the North Penn Expressway to meet up with the Tacony Expressway in one shape or form, but that is for selfish reasons.  I grew up close to 309 in the burbs, and an expressway would have allowed me to skip Lincoln Drive and the Mt Airy/Chestnut Hill drive to get back into the city.  However, my convenience would have come at the expense of a lot of homes.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 04, 2021, 10:29:41 AM
The ramp from PA 611 SB to I-95 SB will be closed for a while. (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6466)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on March 04, 2021, 05:51:32 PM
Just in time for fans to return to the Sports Complex.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 04, 2021, 05:56:11 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on March 04, 2021, 05:51:32 PM
Just in time for fans to return to the Sports Complex.

Exactly what I was thinking.  They had a lot of time to work with this and switch construction phases around, and they basically said "not our problem".
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on March 14, 2021, 03:03:17 PM
What's covered up here on this sign? (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9275892,-75.1954963,3a,75y,326.17h,90.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snx_4v-ime1ywfs-LbBNF2w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) The new sign in the November 2019 views removes it; there's no landmarks that fit onto one line nearby, but the exit is located in the neighborhood of Gray's Ferry - maybe that's it?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 14, 2021, 03:45:18 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 14, 2021, 03:03:17 PM
What's covered up here on this sign? (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9275892,-75.1954963,3a,75y,326.17h,90.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snx_4v-ime1ywfs-LbBNF2w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) The new sign in the November 2019 views removes it; there's no landmarks that fit onto one line nearby, but the exit is located in the neighborhood of Gray's Ferry - maybe that's it?

All of the historic GSV views show nothing below University Blvd either.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on March 14, 2021, 07:34:44 PM
Haven't been to Philly lately but any button copy still around?  Such as on Roosevelt Blvd, or the sign with the blank spot for PA-320?  and the white All Traffic button copy near King of Prussia?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on March 15, 2021, 03:07:09 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 14, 2021, 03:45:18 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 14, 2021, 03:03:17 PM
What's covered up here on this sign? (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9275892,-75.1954963,3a,75y,326.17h,90.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snx_4v-ime1ywfs-LbBNF2w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) The new sign in the November 2019 views removes it; there's no landmarks that fit onto one line nearby, but the exit is located in the neighborhood of Gray's Ferry - maybe that's it?

All of the historic GSV views show nothing below University Blvd either.

It displayed "Civic Center"
Have a photo of it from 2004 on my external harddrive.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on March 15, 2021, 04:32:13 PM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on March 14, 2021, 07:34:44 PM
Haven't been to Philly lately but any button copy still around?  Such as on Roosevelt Blvd, or the sign with the blank spot for PA-320?  and the white All Traffic button copy near King of Prussia?
The ones on Roosevelt Blvd. & PA 320 (at US 1); yes.  Not sure regarding the white signs near King of Prussia.

However, white button-copy ALL TURNS signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1000645,-75.3028503,3a,75y,311.51h,83.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swYTRlY87p8cGxMNvDqItPA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) still exist along Ridge Pike in Conshohocken near I-476.  Was that the sign you were referring to?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on March 17, 2021, 08:32:00 AM
Quote from: Alex on March 15, 2021, 03:07:09 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 14, 2021, 03:45:18 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 14, 2021, 03:03:17 PM
What's covered up here on this sign? (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9275892,-75.1954963,3a,75y,326.17h,90.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snx_4v-ime1ywfs-LbBNF2w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) The new sign in the November 2019 views removes it; there's no landmarks that fit onto one line nearby, but the exit is located in the neighborhood of Gray's Ferry - maybe that's it?

All of the historic GSV views show nothing below University Blvd either.

It displayed "Civic Center"

Of which not a trace remains.  I attended a college fair, a car show, an outdoorsman's show, the Flower Show, and minor league hockey games in that complex, rendered obsolete when the PA Convention Center took over the old Reading Terminal.

Facilities of Penn Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Phila. occupy the site now, but Civic Center Blvd. (the street's name anyway) memorializes the Civic Center fwiw.

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: noelbotevera on March 17, 2021, 09:58:41 AM
Quote from: Alex on March 15, 2021, 03:07:09 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 14, 2021, 03:45:18 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 14, 2021, 03:03:17 PM
What's covered up here on this sign? (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9275892,-75.1954963,3a,75y,326.17h,90.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snx_4v-ime1ywfs-LbBNF2w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) The new sign in the November 2019 views removes it; there's no landmarks that fit onto one line nearby, but the exit is located in the neighborhood of Gray's Ferry - maybe that's it?

All of the historic GSV views show nothing below University Blvd either.

It displayed "Civic Center"
Have a photo of it from 2004 on my external harddrive.
Given that UPenn's hospital is now on the site, I'm surprised there's not an H on the new sign or the line replaced with "Penn Med" (referring to the trolley stop with the same-ish name).

(Off topic but considering parts of the complex were 100+ years old in 2004, I'm surprised it wasn't preserved or at least registered as a Historic Place.)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 17, 2021, 11:05:59 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 17, 2021, 09:58:41 AM
Given that UPenn's hospital is now on the site, I'm surprised there's not an H on the new sign or the line replaced with "Penn Med" (referring to the trolley stop with the same-ish name).

The next exit, for South Street, is often times the better exit for the hospital.  But the reality is in many cities, including Philly, nearly every exit get you close to numerous hospitals.  There are two Hospital signs for Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for the Univ of Penn exit as well, and that's further away.

Quote
(Off topic but considering parts of the complex were 100+ years old in 2004, I'm surprised it wasn't preserved or at least registered as a Historic Place.)

The problem in older cities is that there are a lot of older buildings, and ultimately you can't save *everything*.   Preservation groups will try to save some examples of buildings, and they may try to incorporate portions of older buildings into newer projects, but decisions have to be made if an old building is 'historic', or just 'old', with other similar buildings preserved.  Funding and location are issues as well.  If a property needs to expand or build, they can go out, up or remain in their current location.  Each option has plusses and minuses.  There are height restrictions (which are commonly fought to be exceeded).  There are neighborhoods and businesses nearby (that fight to remain where they are). And there's building on the current property (which involves knocking down what's already there and fighting with conservation groups).  Pick your poison.

For some history on what was removed, these two sites give a little detail of what was there:
https://hiddencityphila.org/2018/11/the-making-breaking-of-the-philadelphia-commercial-museum/
https://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/11548306
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on March 18, 2021, 01:24:50 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 17, 2021, 09:58:41 AM
(Off topic but considering parts of the complex were 100+ years old in 2004, I'm surprised it wasn't preserved or at least registered as a Historic Place.)
I get it.  That site had a lot of history behind it, and places like Philly market their history.  Unlike Reading terminal, Convention Hall happened to be across the street from two of the larger employers of the state.  Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia both very much wanted to expand, and what was sitting on that site were just too far gone to repurpose.  My wife worked in the Perelman Center of Advanced Medicine for many years (that is the $302M building that Penn built where convention Hall used to be), and my understanding is that the contents (machines) of the building could not have been built around without ripping up an existing structure to the foundation.  There was controversy at the time in ripping down Convention Hall, but the public good and job revenue from the hospital expansion couldn't be looked past.  Just my 2 cents and sorry for running so far off topic again.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 19, 2021, 12:51:57 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 17, 2021, 11:05:59 AM

Quote
(Off topic but considering parts of the complex were 100+ years old in 2004, I'm surprised it wasn't preserved or at least registered as a Historic Place.)

The problem in older cities is that there are a lot of older buildings, and ultimately you can't save *everything*.   Preservation groups will try to save some examples of buildings, and they may try to incorporate portions of older buildings into newer projects, but decisions have to be made if an old building is 'historic', or just 'old', with other similar buildings preserved.  Funding and location are issues as well.  If a property needs to expand or build, they can go out, up or remain in their current location.  Each option has plusses and minuses.  There are height restrictions (which are commonly fought to be exceeded).  There are neighborhoods and businesses nearby (that fight to remain where they are). And there's building on the current property (which involves knocking down what's already there and fighting with conservation groups).  Pick your poison.

For some history on what was removed, these two sites give a little detail of what was there:
https://hiddencityphila.org/2018/11/the-making-breaking-of-the-philadelphia-commercial-museum/
https://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/11548306

Nearly 30 years ago, my grandmother sent me* a book concerning the urban archeology of Philadelphia. The book title is 'The Buried Past: An Archaeological History of Philadelphia.' A large book (at 558 pages), it covers many neighborhoods and parks around Philly.
https://books.google.com/books?id=w2jYI8ve7ccC&printsec=copyright#v=onepage&q&f=false
Pertaining to the debate of what part of history to keep, one of the chapters dealt with the construction of Independence Mall and which structures everyone wanted to keep (besides Carpenter & Independence Halls).
So, if you can find a copy of the book, you can read up on how archaeologists researched how we lived in the 18th & 19th centuries, and how they determined what was important and what wasn't.

*- technically the book was sent to the entire family. My mom had a passing interest, (as an HS senior) I was enthralled with the book, and my dad & younger brothers paid it no heed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on March 19, 2021, 06:35:53 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!

I swear, 95 thru Philly has been under construction continuously for at least 15 years with their 95revive. It never ends.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 26, 2021, 01:51:57 PM
Including this weekend.

PennDOT District 6: I-95 North Remains Closed Through Tomorrow Morning at Bridge Street Interchange for Emergency Deck Repair in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6544)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on March 26, 2021, 03:04:22 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 26, 2021, 01:51:57 PM
Including this weekend.

PennDOT District 6: I-95 North Remains Closed Through Tomorrow Morning at Bridge Street Interchange for Emergency Deck Repair in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6544)

Wasn't that stretch recently fully redecked?

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Zeffy on March 26, 2021, 04:26:05 PM
Quote from: famartin on March 19, 2021, 06:35:53 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!

I swear, 95 thru Philly has been under construction continuously for at least 15 years with their 95revive. It never ends.

Despite the construction though, it still seems to fare better than 76 on most days of the week.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 16, 2021, 02:17:05 PM
Update on PA 152 Bridge over SEPTA: Route 152 (Limekiln Pike) to Close April 24 through May 17 for Bridge Rehabilitation in Cheltenham, Abington Townships (https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6609)

EDIT (4-28-2021):  PennDOT Highlights 2021 Philadelphia Region Construction Season, Highlights More than 200 Projects (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6642)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 10:55:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!

The construction will continue till 2040  :pan:

Also did they ever consider tunneling 95 where they rebuilt the new stretch or was the cost to high? that would have opened up the whole riverfront area and Brough neighborhoods back.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on May 18, 2021, 11:05:52 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 10:55:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!

The construction will continue till 2040  :pan:

Also did they ever consider tunneling 95 where they rebuilt the new stretch or was the cost to high? that would have opened up the whole riverfront area and Brough neighborhoods back.

The cost is already really high, tuneling would've been astronomical for some stretches.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 11:08:32 PM
Quote from: famartin on May 18, 2021, 11:05:52 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 10:55:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!

The construction will continue till 2040  :pan:

Also did they ever consider tunneling 95 where they rebuilt the new stretch or was the cost to high? that would have opened up the whole riverfront area and Brough neighborhoods back.

The cost is already really high, tuneling would've been astronomical for some stretches.

Makes sense, too bad they couldn't it takes up so much space however the new stretch has plenty of space under it as well as lighting so it can be used for various things.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on May 19, 2021, 06:04:16 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 11:08:32 PM
Quote from: famartin on May 18, 2021, 11:05:52 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 10:55:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!

The construction will continue till 2040  :pan:

Also did they ever consider tunneling 95 where they rebuilt the new stretch or was the cost to high? that would have opened up the whole riverfront area and Brough neighborhoods back.

The cost is already really high, tuneling would've been astronomical for some stretches.

Makes sense, too bad they couldn't it takes up so much space however the new stretch has plenty of space under it as well as lighting so it can be used for various things.

Two issues with tunneling in a city:

What's under the ground already.  Cities tend to have an enormous amount of infrastructure under the ground.  Utilities, drain pipes, subway lines (used and abandoned), etc.  I forget the exact details, but when they were working on Arch Street near the Convention Center, they found a long-forgotten wooden tunnel that was going to be used for some sort of long-forgotten subway route.  Most people, including historians that dedicate their careers and hobbies to "old stuff" aren't even aware it exists until it's uncovered.  But the point is, all of this stuff needs to be filled in or re-routed if a road will be tunneled.  In cases like drainage, the piping is constructed to allow gravity to do its job.  Either the tunnel has to go deeper, not as deep, or the piping rerouted and most likely pump stations and equipment installed to do the job.

The task of building underground where a highway already is above ground.  It's bad enough when travel lanes are shifted and highways lose shoulders, accel/decel lanes are removed, etc, when reconstruction is going on.  It's worse when a new highway needs to be build on the same footprint of the existing highway, as in this case a tunnel would need to be built in the same area where the ground is already holding bridge supports.  95 in this area of Philly is already a narrow roadway with sub-standard shoulders as is.  Existing roadways under the highway need to be closed and rerouted as well.

It should be noted that the entire, multi-phase project will take another 2 decades to complete.  This particular phase is quite short.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on May 19, 2021, 11:08:20 AM
Quote from: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 11:08:32 PM
Quote from: famartin on May 18, 2021, 11:05:52 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on May 18, 2021, 10:55:42 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2021, 01:48:45 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2021, 12:35:03 PM
I-95 Update: PennDOT to Begin Project to Improve Delaware, Allegheny, Castor Avenues at I-95 Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6525)
At least it's not another construction project on 95!

The construction will continue till 2040  :pan:

Also did they ever consider tunneling 95 where they rebuilt the new stretch or was the cost to high? that would have opened up the whole riverfront area and Brough neighborhoods back.

The cost is already really high, tuneling would've been astronomical for some stretches.

Makes sense, too bad they couldn't it takes up so much space however the new stretch has plenty of space under it as well as lighting so it can be used for various things.
It's worth noting that when I-95 through Center City was first planned during the 60s, a full-blown tunnel option was proposed but dropped due to its high cost... back then

The current 70s era bathtub setup adjacent to Penn's Landing was a compromise between a full-tunnel and an elevated viaduct.  Such was built with a future provision for an additional cap to be placed later.  That additional cap over I-95 is now a serious proposal.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on May 20, 2021, 02:18:43 PM
That makes perfect sense J&N, In fact in the area along the whole Delaware Ave, they have to bring out the Archeologists when they dig due to all the history and artifacts in the whole area. Along with infrastructure like you said and all the other problems they would probably run into.

They should have really put some thought into the highway in the beginning, cutting off the riverfront like that hurt the future, but in the past that whole area was shipyards and "undersiable land" who would have thought 70 years later it would have been prime real estate.

Also that cap isn't a proposal its happening, hopefully in the end that whole area of 95 will be capped and 676 will be as well.

Another great proposal would be to tunnel 76 between Oregon all the way to the South street exit. thats an area that could be reconnected and rebuilt. especially with the refinery coming down.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 17, 2021, 09:29:13 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane Closures Scheduled Next Week for Construction on Four Improvement Projects in Philadelphia, Delaware Counties (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6792)
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane Closures at Night Next Week for Bridge Repair in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6796)
PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Lane Closures at Night Next Week for Traffic Pattern Change in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6797)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 03, 2021, 01:19:55 AM
Someone said something about button copy the other day?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210703/dd33ef9399051295a2cf179b9f827be7.jpg)


iPhone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on July 07, 2021, 04:54:51 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on July 03, 2021, 01:19:55 AM
Someone said something about button copy the other day?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210703/dd33ef9399051295a2cf179b9f827be7.jpg)


iPhone

That sign appears to loom over the southbound outer drive of Roosevelt Blvd. (US 1/13) at 9th Street, just before the Boulevard transitions into the Roosevelt Expressway (and the 1/13 multiplexing ends).

Here's a more direct view of the sign and the trio of signs following.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0216808,-75.1397699,3a,47.1y,241.23h,90.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgO9SNrr2s5D1p6yRj4YG8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

ixnay
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on July 07, 2021, 07:21:03 PM
Most of those old button copy signs on The Blvd have since been replaced since that GSV was taken. There are a few stragglers though.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 23, 2021, 11:03:20 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Southbound Broad Street (Route 611) Ramp to I-95 South Reopens Following Bridge Repair in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6886)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 30, 2021, 07:49:52 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East University Avenue/Grays Ferry Interchange To Close Next Saturday for Intersection Improvement Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6912)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mergingtraffic on August 15, 2021, 09:01:54 PM
Quote from: ixnay on July 07, 2021, 04:54:51 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on July 03, 2021, 01:19:55 AM
Someone said something about button copy the other day?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210703/dd33ef9399051295a2cf179b9f827be7.jpg)



iPhone

That sign appears to loom over the southbound outer drive of Roosevelt Blvd. (US 1/13) at 9th Street, just before the Boulevard transitions into the Roosevelt Expressway (and the 1/13 multiplexing ends).

Here's a more direct view of the sign and the trio of signs following.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0216808,-75.1397699,3a,47.1y,241.23h,90.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgO9SNrr2s5D1p6yRj4YG8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

ixnay

Glad to know some are hanging on.  Have to get out there to photograph it before it's too late
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on August 25, 2021, 05:27:05 PM
Construction on I-95 had two lanes closed last night between PA 320 and U.S. 322. Waze directed me to get off I-476 at Macdade Boulevard. I opted instead to take I-95 north to the Ridley Park exit and shifted south onto PA 291 to U.S. 13 along the Chester Riverfront. U.S. 13 has not been signed over PA 291 and no signs yet of U.S. 13 Business either.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on August 25, 2021, 07:34:00 PM
Quote from: Alex on August 25, 2021, 05:27:05 PM
Construction on I-95 had two lanes closed last night between PA 320 and U.S. 322. Waze directed me to get off I-476 at Macdade Boulevard. I opted instead to take I-95 north to the Ridley Park exit and shifted south onto PA 291 to U.S. 13 along the Chester Riverfront. U.S. 13 has not been signed over PA 291 and no signs yet of U.S. 13 Business either.

Not surprising. US13 is poorly signed in Chester to begin with. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for new signage to go up.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 29, 2021, 03:25:31 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East University Avenue/Grays Ferry Interchange To Close Saturday, September 11, for Intersection Improvement Project in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6982)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on September 02, 2021, 10:19:05 AM
The remnants of Ida brought a lot of rain last evening.

The Schuylkill River is predicted to be at its second highest crest of all time, highest since 1869. Vine Street Expressway and numerous local streets are flooded.


Vine Street Flooding: https://twitter.com/PhillyInquirer/status/1433420247894200324?s=20

Other images:

https://www.phillyvoice.com/ida-remnants-flooding-schuylkill-river-rainfall-philly-region-pennsylvania/
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on September 02, 2021, 10:30:32 AM
I saw in GSV that when the SB Ramp from abroad Street to US 1 was closed that the overhead on Broad was taken down over a tarp or Road Closed cover up like most contractors do.

I assume the put back sign is a new panel and not the old here?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 02, 2021, 11:48:41 AM
It's awful in the city. Many streets in Center City are underwater. Both 76 and 676 are washed out. 676 is literally now a canal between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. I don't see how either freeway is not going to need major repairs after the water is gone. They were already rebuilding 76 under 30th St Station when this happened. I can only imagine all of that has been undone.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flint1979 on September 02, 2021, 01:12:27 PM
There are that many traffic lights in Philly? That's like 400 traffic lights per square mile.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on September 02, 2021, 01:13:32 PM
Given the bridge height, that's at least 12' of water on 676
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 02, 2021, 01:42:25 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on September 02, 2021, 01:12:27 PM
There are that many traffic lights in Philly? That's like 400 traffic lights per square mile.

There's one on almost every corner and the city blocks are just about .1 mile so that number makes sense.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on September 02, 2021, 02:04:15 PM
So did PennDOT skimp on their drain cleaning efforts during COVID? It seems a bit much, Philly has gotten deluged before, but I don't remember 676 going underwater. Maybe I'm misremembering.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on September 02, 2021, 02:28:50 PM
News (Channel 6) indicated that a PennDOT pumping station at 22nd St was offline - not sure if it happened before, during, or since the storm; and that was at least partly responsible for the flooding on the Vine.

Edited to add link to their coverage: https://6abc.com/philadelphia-flooding-vine-street-expressway-hurricane-ida-schuylkill-river/10994172/
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flint1979 on September 02, 2021, 02:32:33 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on September 02, 2021, 01:42:25 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on September 02, 2021, 01:12:27 PM
There are that many traffic lights in Philly? That's like 400 traffic lights per square mile.

There's one on almost every corner and the city blocks are just about .1 mile so that number makes sense.
There are 3,000 in Philly, don't know where the OP got 55,000 from.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on September 02, 2021, 02:46:34 PM
Quote from: famartin on September 02, 2021, 02:04:15 PM
So did PennDOT skimp on their drain cleaning efforts during COVID? It seems a bit much, Philly has gotten deluged before, but I don't remember 676 going underwater. Maybe I'm misremembering.

The Schuylkill River greatly overflowed its banks, and this highway is cut into the ground.  It's quite likely the lowest point in Center City Philly, so that's where the water is going to go.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 02, 2021, 02:47:15 PM
Quote from: famartin on September 02, 2021, 02:04:15 PM
So did PennDOT skimp on their drain cleaning efforts during COVID? It seems a bit much, Philly has gotten deluged before, but I don't remember 676 going underwater. Maybe I'm misremembering.

I think the rate of rain and the amount actual rain that fell just overwhelmed the system. This was a historic amount of rain that fell both in Philly but also upstream of the city. Just a perfect storm of sorts.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 02, 2021, 02:49:20 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on September 02, 2021, 02:28:50 PM
News (Channel 6) indicated that a PennDOT pumping station at 22nd St was offline - not sure if it happened before, during, or since the storm

Yeah the pumping station is completely submerged right now. If I were to guess it probably crapped out during the storm.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on September 02, 2021, 03:33:51 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on September 02, 2021, 02:32:33 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on September 02, 2021, 01:42:25 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on September 02, 2021, 01:12:27 PM
There are that many traffic lights in Philly? That's like 400 traffic lights per square mile.

There's one on almost every corner and the city blocks are just about .1 mile so that number makes sense.
There are 3,000 in Philly, don't know where the OP got 55,000 from.

There are about 3,000 signalized intersections under Philly Streets control (per their website).

While that would still mean more than 18 signals/intersection on average... thanks to the Roosevelt Blvd some intersections actually have that many signal heads per intersection, and that is not counting pedestrian signals. https://goo.gl/maps/Dad1AvypqrCLoiAcA

This of course will also open up a discussion on what is a discrete intersection actually is in Philadelphia, and there are some interesting cases. (Is City Hall one large intersection, or does each leg count; and then how does that apply to the other squares in town) and such.

I was thinking perhaps the 55k number was total number of actual lights (bulbs) being changed, but turns out a video produced back in 2010 has that number closer to 90,000
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH7CsnkA0RI

(YouTube description: The Philadelphia Streets Department is converting 58,000 yellow and green traffic signals and will replace approximately 27,000 red LED lights that have come to the end of their useful life. The project will use approximately $3 million in EECBG funds, matched with $3 million in PECO)


Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on September 02, 2021, 04:45:16 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on September 02, 2021, 02:46:34 PM
Quote from: famartin on September 02, 2021, 02:04:15 PM
So did PennDOT skimp on their drain cleaning efforts during COVID? It seems a bit much, Philly has gotten deluged before, but I don't remember 676 going underwater. Maybe I'm misremembering.

The Schuylkill River greatly overflowed its banks, and this highway is cut into the ground.  It's quite likely the lowest point in Center City Philly, so that's where the water is going to go.

That makes more sense. I did hear the Schuylkill will be its highest since the 60s, which was before I-676.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 02, 2021, 05:36:31 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 West (Schuylkill Expressway) Reopens in Center City Philadelphia Following Flash Flooding across Southeast Pennsylvania (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6991)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on September 02, 2021, 05:56:24 PM
Quote from: famartin on September 02, 2021, 04:45:16 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on September 02, 2021, 02:46:34 PM
Quote from: famartin on September 02, 2021, 02:04:15 PM
So did PennDOT skimp on their drain cleaning efforts during COVID? It seems a bit much, Philly has gotten deluged before, but I don't remember 676 going underwater. Maybe I'm misremembering.

The Schuylkill River greatly overflowed its banks, and this highway is cut into the ground.  It's quite likely the lowest point in Center City Philly, so that's where the water is going to go.

That makes more sense. I did hear the Schuylkill will be its highest since the 60s, which was before I-676.

Apparently I misheard, since this suggests its the highest since the 1860s.
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=phi&gage=padp1

So this now all makes MUCH more sense.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 02, 2021, 08:34:56 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East, West (Schuylkill Expressway) Reopens in Center City Philadelphia Following Flash Flooding Across Southeast Pennsylvania (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=6993)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ekt8750 on September 03, 2021, 09:15:42 AM
676 and both River Drives are still under water this morning:

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/weather/stories-weather/flooded-i-676-kelly-drive-mlk-drive/2947569/
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jp the roadgeek on September 03, 2021, 01:59:44 PM
This is just crazy :bigass:
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1433617302281465863?s=21 (https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1433617302281465863?s=21)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on September 03, 2021, 02:25:12 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on September 03, 2021, 01:59:44 PM
This is just crazy :bigass:
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1433617302281465863?s=21 (https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1433617302281465863?s=21)
Yeah we have some real deep thinkers here.  When the city floods, all of the sewers mix with the river water.  That guy is jumping into partially diluted raw sewage.  Plus the Schulykill ain't pool water even on a good day.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Mr. Matté on September 03, 2021, 03:13:38 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on September 03, 2021, 02:25:12 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on September 03, 2021, 01:59:44 PM
This is just crazy :bigass:
[tweet]
Yeah we have some real deep thinkers here.  When the city floods, all of the sewers mix with the river water.  That guy is jumping into partially diluted raw sewage.  Plus the Schulykill ain't pool water even on a good day.

It is the same town where the people eat horse crap off the road if the local football squadron wins (https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-fan-literally-eats-horse-poop-after-super-bowl-win/)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on September 03, 2021, 08:49:42 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on September 03, 2021, 02:25:12 PM
Yeah we have some real deep thinkers here.  When the city floods, all of the sewers mix with the river water.  That guy is jumping into partially diluted raw sewage.  Plus the Schulykill ain't pool water even on a good day.
I was gonna say, even when you're just going into the water in Philly, it's pretty much all partially diluted raw sewage anyway.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: billpa on September 04, 2021, 05:45:56 AM
Re: 676 (from the Inquirer)

PennDot crews are continuing to pump water from the Vine Street Expressway – mostly on the west end of the I-676 highway – which effectively transformed into a canal this week after the Schuylkill overflowed. Crews are using eight pumps to remove the water and return it to the river, PennDot spokesperson Brad Rudolph said.

Remaining debris and sediment on the highway will be taken to a job site on I-95 and used for fill, he said.

Pixel 2

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 04, 2021, 09:18:31 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-676 (Vine Street Expressway) Partially Reopens in Both Directions in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7011)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 04, 2021, 02:23:29 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-676 East (Vine Street Expressway) Fully Reopened in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7012)

Looking at the list, I noticed that I am glad that I clinched PA 263 two weeks ago.  I have no clue when that clinch would have been if I had waited.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 04, 2021, 07:42:15 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-676 (Vine Street Expressway) Reopened in Both Directions Following Heavy Flooding in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7013)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 09, 2021, 03:12:48 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: West Coulter Street Bridge over SEPTA Closed Indefinitely in Northwest Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7015)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 28, 2021, 09:14:31 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Rebuilt I-95 Southbound Lanes, New Ramp at Girard Avenue Interchange to Open Saturday in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7059)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: storm2k on September 30, 2021, 12:01:53 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 28, 2021, 09:14:31 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Rebuilt I-95 Southbound Lanes, New Ramp at Girard Avenue Interchange to Open Saturday in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7059)

QuoteWednesday, September 29, and Thursday, September 30, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, lane closures and periodic 15-minute traffic stoppages will be in place on southbound I-95 at various locations between the Betsy Ross Bridge and I-676 interchanges for overhead sign installations;

I presume this means replacing the orange APLs with the final signs which I'm presuming may also be APLs and a return to FHWA Gothic instead of Clearview because PA is trending back away from Clearview for now?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on October 01, 2021, 01:07:14 PM
Quote from: storm2k on September 30, 2021, 12:01:53 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 28, 2021, 09:14:31 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Rebuilt I-95 Southbound Lanes, New Ramp at Girard Avenue Interchange to Open Saturday in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7059)

QuoteWednesday, September 29, and Thursday, September 30, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, lane closures and periodic 15-minute traffic stoppages will be in place on southbound I-95 at various locations between the Betsy Ross Bridge and I-676 interchanges for overhead sign installations;

I presume this means replacing the orange APLs with the final signs which I'm presuming may also be APLs and a return to FHWA Gothic instead of Clearview because PA is trending back away from Clearview for now?

There is some new signage visible in this traffic cam grab.  Looks like one sign is in Clearview and the other not?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">YIKES! 95 south before Girard Ave...looks like there&#39;s an accident up ahead. <a href="https://twitter.com/KYWNewsradio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KYWNewsradio</a> <a href="https://t.co/lBjc6jhGXv">pic.twitter.com/lBjc6jhGXv</a></p>&mdash; Traffic on the Twos (@KYWRadioTraffic) <a href="https://twitter.com/KYWRadioTraffic/status/1443732314291331073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 05, 2021, 02:13:51 PM
(For PA 152)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT, Local Officials Mark Completion of the Limekiln Pike Bridge over SEPTA in Montgomery County (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7189)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on November 05, 2021, 03:27:57 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on October 01, 2021, 01:07:14 PM
Quote from: storm2k on September 30, 2021, 12:01:53 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 28, 2021, 09:14:31 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Rebuilt I-95 Southbound Lanes, New Ramp at Girard Avenue Interchange to Open Saturday in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7059)

QuoteWednesday, September 29, and Thursday, September 30, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, lane closures and periodic 15-minute traffic stoppages will be in place on southbound I-95 at various locations between the Betsy Ross Bridge and I-676 interchanges for overhead sign installations;

I presume this means replacing the orange APLs with the final signs which I'm presuming may also be APLs and a return to FHWA Gothic instead of Clearview because PA is trending back away from Clearview for now?

There is some new signage visible in this traffic cam grab.  Looks like one sign is in Clearview and the other not?


the sign on the right appears to be the one that's been there for a long time and was patched during the early phase that modified the Girard Ave exit - you can still see the greenout patch replacing "Lehigh Ave" with "Delaware Ave".
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 12, 2021, 09:35:58 PM
I have to say now that they opened that SB portion 95 moves so much better at all times.

When the NB portion opens 95 in that area will might actually be slowdown free.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 23, 2021, 10:13:10 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane Closures at Night Next Week for Barrier Installation in Penns Landing (https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7211)

I thought that this was one huge project.  It is weird to see the words "high-priority" in this.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 08, 2021, 10:22:05 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA to Close Woodland Avenue December 17 for Trolley Line Improvements in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7229)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on December 08, 2021, 12:35:29 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 12, 2021, 09:35:58 PM
I have to say now that they opened that SB portion 95 moves so much better at all times.

When the NB portion opens 95 in that area will might actually be slowdown free.

IOW do we now see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel as far as the revive-95 project in NE Philly?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 08, 2021, 03:31:20 PM
Quote from: ixnay on December 08, 2021, 12:35:29 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 12, 2021, 09:35:58 PM
I have to say now that they opened that SB portion 95 moves so much better at all times.

When the NB portion opens 95 in that area will might actually be slowdown free.

IOW do we now see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel as far as the revive-95 project in NE Philly?

Not even close. This phase is wrapping up; many other phases and contracts to go.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 08, 2021, 04:33:15 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Castor Avenue to Close Next Week for Construction in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7231)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 15, 2021, 04:08:33 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Begin Second Phase to Improve Travel and Safety on Henry Avenue in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7251)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 29, 2021, 02:37:19 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Nighttime Travel Restrictions Next Two Weeks for Construction at Bridge Street Interchange in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7271)

QuoteDuring the lane closures next week, northbound traffic will be moved onto the rebuilt northbound lanes as temporary construction barrier is set on the northbound side. The barrier will separate three lanes of northbound traffic from three lanes of southbound traffic on the widened and reconstructed northbound side when three lanes of southbound traffic are shifted to the opposite side following completion of the crossovers early Tuesday, January 11.

Once all traffic is moved to the northbound side to establish a new work zone, reconstruction and widening of the southbound lanes, stage two of the overall project, will begin. Stage two also includes construction of the southbound side of new I-95 bridges over VanKirk and Comly streets.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 30, 2021, 10:47:36 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: University Avenue Weekday Lane Closure Scheduled for Intersection Improvement Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7275)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 04, 2022, 10:02:13 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on December 29, 2021, 02:37:19 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Nighttime Travel Restrictions Next Two Weeks for Construction at Bridge Street Interchange in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7271)

QuoteDuring the lane closures next week, northbound traffic will be moved onto the rebuilt northbound lanes as temporary construction barrier is set on the northbound side. The barrier will separate three lanes of northbound traffic from three lanes of southbound traffic on the widened and reconstructed northbound side when three lanes of southbound traffic are shifted to the opposite side following completion of the crossovers early Tuesday, January 11.

Once all traffic is moved to the northbound side to establish a new work zone, reconstruction and widening of the southbound lanes, stage two of the overall project, will begin. Stage two also includes construction of the southbound side of new I-95 bridges over VanKirk and Comly streets.

I am unsure where the link is, but this is what I got today via email.

QuotePennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Double Lane Closures Rescheduled for Wednesday in Northeast Philadelphia

King of Prussia, PA — Northbound and southbound Interstate 95 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between the Bridge Street and Cottman Avenue interchanges in Philadelphia on Wednesday, January 5, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, for construction to establish a new traffic pattern at the northern end of the Bridge Street Interchange, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today.

The daytime lane restrictions follow the weather-related cancellation of nighttime activities planned on Monday, January 3, and Tuesday, January 4, to begin the set up a new work zone for southbound reconstruction on I-95.

The new work schedule and locations for this week are:

Wednesday, January 5, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, northbound and southbound I-95 will be reduced to one lane for barrier placement and line painting; and
Thursday, January 6, and Friday, January 7, from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM the following morning, northbound and southbound I-95 will be reduced to one lane for barrier placement and line painting.
During the lane closures, northbound traffic will be moved onto the rebuilt northbound lanes as temporary construction barrier is set on the northbound side. The barrier will separate three lanes of northbound traffic from three lanes of southbound traffic on the widened and reconstructed northbound side when three lanes of southbound traffic are shifted to the opposite side early next week.

Once all traffic is moved to the northbound side to establish a new work zone, reconstruction and widening of the southbound lanes, stage two of the overall project, will begin. Stage two also includes construction of the southbound side of new I-95 bridges over VanKirk and Comly streets.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time for travel through the work area as backups and delays are expected. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

The traffic shift marks the substantial completion of the first major stage of PennDOT's $79.7 million I-95 Section BS1 project to reconstruct and improve I-95 from Levick Street to Carver Street, including construction of a long retaining wall along Tacony Street to support northbound widening, the replacement of the bridges carrying northbound I-95 over Van Kirk Street and Comly Street, and installation of an extensive stormwater drainage system. The Section BS1 contract also includes improvements to the parking area, lighting, and landscaping at Lardner's Point Park on the Delaware River near Levick Street. 

Stage two will continue through late 2022. Work on the Section BS1 project began in early spring 2020.

On-off ramps at the I-95/Bridge Street Interchange will remain open during BS1 construction.
Section BS1 is the first of two contracts to reconstruct mainline I-95 at the Bridge Street Interchange. A second mainline reconstruction project at the interchange, Section BS2, is currently in design and will move to construction following completion of Section BS1 in late 2022.

In addition to rebuilding the northbound and southbound lanes of I-95 from Carver Street to Margaret Street, Section BS2 will construct a new replacement interchange located on Tacony Street at the Dietz & Watson/Frankford Boat Launch driveway, where a southbound off-ramp and a northbound on-ramp will be constructed. This is also the location of the proposed Delaware Avenue extension that will be built later under Section BS5.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 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 1,000 traffic cameras.

For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.

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

Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brad Rudolph, 610-205-6800
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 17, 2022, 05:02:44 PM
(For PA 611) PennDOT - District 6 News: Broad Street North (Route 611) Restricted Next Week for Safety Improvement in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7352)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on February 17, 2022, 05:13:35 PM
OK, so I grew up in the Philly suburbs and watched Philly news always refer to downtown as "Center City". Yet, I never see a sign that says "Center City", just "Central Philadelphia". Is there a reason for this? Do they feel "Center City" is too unhelpful to the non-locals and "Center City Philadelphia" is too long for signs, so they adjust it to "Central Philadelphia" even though no one calls it that?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 17, 2022, 05:53:02 PM
Quote from: famartin on February 17, 2022, 05:13:35 PM
OK, so I grew up in the Philly suburbs and watched Philly news always refer to downtown as "Center City". Yet, I never see a sign that says "Center City", just "Central Philadelphia". Is there a reason for this? Do they feel "Center City" is too unhelpful to the non-locals and "Center City Philadelphia" is too long for signs, so they adjust it to "Central Philadelphia" even though no one calls it that?

I guess just differences in terminology.  Only known it as Center City.  Even seeing the highway sign makes me think "Center City", even though that's not what the sign says.

Google Maps for the longest time called it "City Center", which lead a lot of tourists to think that's what they should call it to fit in, which it really did the opposite.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on February 17, 2022, 05:56:29 PM
Quote from: famartin on February 17, 2022, 05:13:35 PM
OK, so I grew up in the Philly suburbs and watched Philly news always refer to downtown as "Center City". Yet, I never see a sign that says "Center City", just "Central Philadelphia". Is there a reason for this? Do they feel "Center City" is too unhelpful to the non-locals and "Center City Philadelphia" is too long for signs, so they adjust it to "Central Philadelphia" even though no one calls it that?

i wonder if it's because "Center City" could actually be mistaken as an actual city name.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: PHLBOS on February 23, 2022, 09:10:25 PM
Quote from: odditude on February 17, 2022, 05:56:29 PM
Quote from: famartin on February 17, 2022, 05:13:35 PM
OK, so I grew up in the Philly suburbs and watched Philly news always refer to downtown as "Center City". Yet, I never see a sign that says "Center City", just "Central Philadelphia". Is there a reason for this? Do they feel "Center City" is too unhelpful to the non-locals and "Center City Philadelphia" is too long for signs, so they adjust it to "Central Philadelphia" even though no one calls it that?

i wonder if it's because "Center City" could actually be mistaken as an actual city name.
That's exactly the reason why such isn't used on, at least primary, signage; such is not an actual city per MUTCD standards.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 24, 2022, 12:12:36 AM
Quote from: odditude on February 17, 2022, 05:56:29 PM
Quote from: famartin on February 17, 2022, 05:13:35 PM
OK, so I grew up in the Philly suburbs and watched Philly news always refer to downtown as "Center City". Yet, I never see a sign that says "Center City", just "Central Philadelphia". Is there a reason for this? Do they feel "Center City" is too unhelpful to the non-locals and "Center City Philadelphia" is too long for signs, so they adjust it to "Central Philadelphia" even though no one calls it that?

i wonder if it's because "Center City" could actually be mistaken as an actual city name.

The MUTCD often refers to names on big green signs as destinations.  In that respect, they don't specify exactly what should be used as a destination, but rather state that it should be relevant to the motorist and consistent on signage when approaching an exit.  Unincorporated towns, for example, are permitted, even though they're not official cities or towns.  So, there's nothing that says "Center City" is prohibited; it would be up the transportation department to determine if it's good enough.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on February 24, 2022, 06:48:06 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 24, 2022, 12:12:36 AM
Quote from: odditude on February 17, 2022, 05:56:29 PM
Quote from: famartin on February 17, 2022, 05:13:35 PM
OK, so I grew up in the Philly suburbs and watched Philly news always refer to downtown as "Center City". Yet, I never see a sign that says "Center City", just "Central Philadelphia". Is there a reason for this? Do they feel "Center City" is too unhelpful to the non-locals and "Center City Philadelphia" is too long for signs, so they adjust it to "Central Philadelphia" even though no one calls it that?

i wonder if it's because "Center City" could actually be mistaken as an actual city name.

The MUTCD often refers to names on big green signs as destinations.  In that respect, they don't specify exactly what should be used as a destination, but rather state that it should be relevant to the motorist and consistent on signage when approaching an exit.  Unincorporated towns, for example, are permitted, even though they're not official cities or towns.  So, there's nothing that says "Center City" is prohibited; it would be up the transportation department to determine if it's good enough.
Except on 2-digit Interstates.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 03, 2022, 08:40:25 AM
(For US 1) PennDOT - U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Lane Closures at Night Next Week for Traffic Pattern Change in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7361)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 04, 2022, 10:59:46 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Henry Avenue Periodic Lane Closure for Safety Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7366)

(Quoting email due to current lack of link for news release)  (link added at 12:50 PM EST)

QuoteKing of Prussia, PA — A periodic lane closure is scheduled on northbound Henry Avenue between Barnes Street and Port Royal Avenue in Philadelphia, on Monday, March 7, through Friday, March 11, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, under a project to improve travel and safety on a 3.2-mile section of Henry Avenue, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area because backups and delays may occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

Under this project, PennDOT's contractor will install or upgrade traffic signals at several intersections to include new mast arms, controllers, signal heads, timing optimization, signal interconnectivity and pedestrian countdown timers. Updated traffic signal timing will be implemented at the Walnut Lane intersection and a traffic signal will be installed at the Barnes Street Intersection, as well as a red-light warning flashing signal just north of the Port Royal Intersection.

Additional improvements on Henry Avenue include: New signing and roadway design features through pavement markings; Milling and resurfacing; Median widening; and Guiderail replacement.

To improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on Henry Avenue, improvements include: Extending the southbound restricted parking between Monastery Avenue and Walnut Lane; Eliminating the channelized right turn lanes at the Gates Street and Wigard Avenue intersections; Adding a raised concrete median at Valley Avenue to eliminate left turns; and Lengthening the northbound left turn lane at Livezey Lane.

To enhance pedestrian and bicyclist mobility, the contractor will construct a shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path along the east side of Henry Avenue between Barnes Street and Walnut Lane. Other safety enhancements include installing bump-outs at 15 intersections and ADA curb ramps at various intersections along the corridor.

The project will feature the addition of speed calming measures on this section of Henry Avenue that sees an average daily traffic volume of 29,000 vehicles daily. The features include 35 mph pavement markings adjacent to speed limit signs; oversized speed limit signs with orange diamonds; electronic speed feedback signs north of Leverington Avenue and north of Cinnaminson Street; and speed limit signs and hidden driveway signs south of Cinnaminson Street.

The project will also address storm water management through storm drainage, water facility relocation, and green stormwater infrastructure.

During construction, PennDOT will maintain traffic on Henry Avenue by utilizing long-term lane shifts and short-term lane closures.

Road-Con, Inc. of West Chester, Chester County is the general contractor on the $12.8 million project, which is financed with 100 percent federal funds. The entire project is scheduled to finish in late 2023. More information is available at www.Penndot.gov/HenryAvePhilly.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 15, 2022, 05:47:01 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Chestnut Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River to Reopen This Saturday in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7386)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 19, 2022, 09:58:25 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Henry Avenue North Periodic Lane Closure for Safety Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7399)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on March 22, 2022, 08:03:54 AM
When will the ramps from the Betsy Ross Bridge to 95 be reopened?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on March 22, 2022, 07:00:11 PM
Quote from: ixnay on March 22, 2022, 08:03:54 AM
When will the ramps from the Betsy Ross Bridge to 95 be reopened?

the latest on the project site (http://95revive.com/news/bri-construction-update-winter-2021-22/) is "spring."
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 25, 2022, 11:22:27 AM
(For PA 73) PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Begin Project to Construct New I-95 On-Ramp, Improve Surface Streets at the Cottman Avenue Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7415)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 29, 2022, 10:21:16 AM
(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Lane Closures at Night for Two Months for Overhead Sign Construction in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7426)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 03, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Betsy Ross Bridge, Aramingo Avenue Ramp to I-95 South to Close Beginning April 11 for Reconstruction in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7440)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 07, 2022, 09:02:42 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7441)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 10, 2022, 05:40:55 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Daytime Lane Closures Scheduled Next Week for Surveying in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7444)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 14, 2022, 02:05:51 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7453)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 21, 2022, 08:29:12 AM
Note that District 6 is planning to replace the PA 291 Railroad Bridge west of the Philadelphia Int'l Airport. (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec852585ec0057d273?OpenDocument)

PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7472)

(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 North (Roosevelt Expressway) Periodic Daytime Lane Closures Planned Monday, Tuesday for Viaduct Rehabilitation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7476)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 01, 2022, 02:13:27 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7491)

(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) South Lane Closure for Bridge Repair in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7498)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 05, 2022, 10:42:28 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7506)

PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane, Ramp Closures at Night Next Week for Construction between Allegheny Avenue and Penns Landing in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7511)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 16, 2022, 06:03:50 AM
(Related to US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Fox Street Bridge over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Closed at Night for Viaduct Rehabilitation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7523)

PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) to Close at Night Next Week for Construction Work in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7524)  (well this week by the time I post it)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 19, 2022, 11:11:03 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7536) 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 20, 2022, 10:00:29 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane Closures at Night Next Week for Construction between Allegheny Avenue and I-676 in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7540)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 26, 2022, 11:07:37 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7557)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 27, 2022, 10:52:35 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Completes Erie Avenue Bridge Removal, Roadway Reconstruction in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7560)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 02, 2022, 09:24:43 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7566)

(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Lane Closures, Traffic Paces at Night Next Week for Viaduct Rehabilitation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7571)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 03, 2022, 12:17:41 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: University Avenue Daytime Lane Closures Next Week for High-Friction Resurfacing in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7573)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 09, 2022, 09:55:53 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7583)

(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Fox Street Bridge over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) to Close at Night Next Week for Deck Rehabilitation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7585)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 10, 2022, 08:41:57 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane, Ramp Restrictions Next Week for Construction Between the Cottman Avenue and Girard Avenue Interchanges (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7589)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 15, 2022, 09:25:34 AM
(For PA 3)  PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA to Close Market Street This Weekend for Rail Improvements in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7591)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 16, 2022, 01:47:04 PM
(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Periodic Lane Closures at Night for Viaduct Rehabilitation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7597)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 17, 2022, 09:02:23 AM
(For PA 611) PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95, Route 611 (Broad Street) Overnight Ramp Closures Next Week for Resurfacing Operations in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7599)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Castor Avenue Ramp to I-95 North to Close Next Week for Construction in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7600)

PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Begin Project to Replace West Coulter Street Bridge Superstructure Over SEPTA in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7604)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 22, 2022, 10:40:06 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA to Close Chestnut Street This Weekend for Rail Improvements in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7607)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 24, 2022, 05:38:09 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane Closures at Night Scheduled Through September for Bridge Repair in South Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7611)

PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7613)

(For PA 3)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Eastbound Market Street (Route 3) Reduced to One Lane over Schuylkill River for Bridge Repair in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7617)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 24, 2022, 07:22:20 PM
(For I-95 and PA 611)  PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95, Route 611 (Broad Street) Overnight Ramp Closures for Resurfacing Operations in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7618)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 28, 2022, 01:42:58 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Begin 5th Street Bridge Removal, Roadway Reconstruction in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7623)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on June 28, 2022, 04:24:10 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on June 28, 2022, 01:42:58 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Begin 5th Street Bridge Removal, Roadway Reconstruction in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7623)

What view is the freeway in the head photo looking from? 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on June 28, 2022, 08:07:39 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 28, 2022, 04:24:10 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on June 28, 2022, 01:42:58 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Begin 5th Street Bridge Removal, Roadway Reconstruction in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7623)

What view is the freeway in the head photo looking from?

that's an aerial view of I-95 SB from around Girard Ave (roughly here (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9731448,-75.1209252,16.11z)). on the left is the Ben Franklin Bridge (I-676/US 30). the orange BGSs were some of (if not THE) first APLs on I-95 in PA; they're advance (construction) signage for Exit 22 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9687319,-75.1284705,3a,75y,267.76h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1slYG5J70qLFe_qQ47V8TqvQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DlYG5J70qLFe_qQ47V8TqvQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D294.94595%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on June 29, 2022, 01:15:19 PM
So this assembly is now gone?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540960957_8266b77ee4_k.jpg)


[/url][/url]

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 29, 2022, 02:33:50 PM
^I think so based on roadwaywiz's live drive through here last year.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on June 29, 2022, 08:24:55 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 29, 2022, 01:15:19 PM
So this assembly is now gone?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540960957_8266b77ee4_k.jpg)


[/url][/url]

Long gone
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 29, 2022, 10:14:49 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 29, 2022, 01:15:19 PM
So this assembly is now gone?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540960957_8266b77ee4_k.jpg)
[/url][/url]

Per GSV, it was removed between Oct 2014 & Jul 2015.  It was never replaced in this location.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 30, 2022, 09:07:45 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PECO to Close JFK Boulevard at 30th Street Beginning Next Week for Utility Improvement in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7627)

PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7628)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Castor Avenue/Delaware Avenue Intersection to Close Beginning Next Week for Construction in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7634)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 01, 2022, 03:17:40 AM
There is 100% new Signage in the area on 95 SB Ill try to grab some pictures.

They have opened all lanes on NB & SB 95, I have to say they did good on this project especially with the NB Girard exit; that extra wide lane that doesn't end gives you plenty of time to get up to speed & merge.

They also have updated the lights to LED on both sides now.

So far this project has been a success, the only real slowdown in the area is around the Bridge St exit which is currently under heavy construction and around the Cottman Exit which is also under heavy construction to widen it & that is I would say about 50% complete now that the Bridge beams are in for the NB side (SB side is complete).


Also in other news 95 from the Delaware line all the way to Exit 9A/B is or has been repaved in both directions as we speak.

The 95 Project in Chester replacing the Middle barrier wall, repairing bridges, the railroad and repaving are all completed.

This area is really looking good and it was past due maintenance needed for the whole area. The next big project that should really be on the menu for Penndot and the City of Philly should be landscaping, lighting and a welcome sign to Philadelphia by the Airport this would seriously boost the look and first welcome for people coming into the city I'm not sure why this isn't pushed as curb appeal is important.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 01, 2022, 03:39:19 PM
(For PA 611)  PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95, Route 611 (Broad Street) Interchange Overnight Ramp Closure for Resurfacing Operation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7637)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 04, 2022, 10:00:38 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/3gEuKSJh.jpg)

95 SB/NB Looking South.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 04, 2022, 10:02:55 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/ciuQxcxh.jpg)

Future location of the 95 Cap and Riverfront Development

https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/penn-s-landing-park (https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/penn-s-landing-park)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 07, 2022, 02:05:54 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7642)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 08, 2022, 01:02:26 PM
Well for those hoping to finish clinching PA 611 during the Philly Meet, the part of Broad St being closed is actually south of where PA 611 ends So you are good.

PennDOT - District 6 News: Broad Street (Route 611) to Close for Local Safety Improvement Project in South Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7651)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 12, 2022, 09:21:44 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Invites Public to Offer Feedback at In-Person Public Meeting for 63rd Street/Cobbs Creek Parkway Safety Improvement Project (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7656)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 14, 2022, 11:01:12 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7662)

(For US 1) PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Periodic Stoppages at Night Next Week for Overhead Sign Installation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7663)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: storm2k on July 14, 2022, 03:01:19 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on July 14, 2022, 11:01:12 AM
(For US 1) PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Periodic Stoppages at Night Next Week for Overhead Sign Installation in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7663)

Sounds like a few of those old non-reflective button copy gems are meeting their ends to be replaced by PennDOT's unique interpretation of Clearview (the proportions never seem right to me).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 15, 2022, 10:48:51 AM
(For I-95 and PA 611)  PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 South, Route 611 (Broad Street) Interchange Overnight Ramp Closure for Resurfacing Operation in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7669)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 21, 2022, 01:09:37 PM
 PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7680)

(For I-95)  PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Daytime Lane Closures Next Week Between Girard Avenue and Penn's Landing in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7684)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 26, 2022, 09:08:02 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Chestnut Street Bridge Reduced to One Lane Through Next Week for Railing Installation in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7693)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 28, 2022, 05:13:11 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7696)

(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Lane Closures, Traffic Pattern Change at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7699)

(For I-95)  PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 North Lane, Ramp Closures Next Week for Construction in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7703)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 30, 2022, 06:54:45 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Henry Avenue North Periodic Lane Closure for Safety Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7711)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Cobbs Creek Parkway Restricted Next Week for Safety Improvements in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7712)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 04, 2022, 12:05:23 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7717)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 09, 2022, 01:37:06 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 West Nighttime Lane Closure Begins Sunday for Roadway Borings Between U.S. 1 and Belmont Avenue (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7732)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Conrail to Close Aramingo Avenue This Weekend for Track Replacement Near Castor Avenue in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7734)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 12, 2022, 09:30:49 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East to Close at Night Next Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7746)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 16, 2022, 05:14:11 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 West Lane Closure Tomorrow Morning at 30th Street for Concrete Placement in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7752)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 21, 2022, 02:24:12 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-76 East or West to Close at Night This Week for Viaduct Construction in Center City Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7760)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 23, 2022, 08:37:16 AM
The updated CE2 has been posted in the CE Expert System for I-95 in Penn's Landing (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec8525871800683ea6?OpenDocument) as of August 18th.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 25, 2022, 08:49:55 AM
The updated CE1b has been posted for the Byberry Rd CSX Bridge Replacement (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec85258856004680e1?OpenDocument)  (the bridge near the PA 63 freeway stub that currently has a 3-ton weight limit).

PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Lane Closures at Night Scheduled Through October for Bridge Repair in South Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7768)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 26, 2022, 09:15:29 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 South Lane Closures at Night Next Week for Bridge Repair in Northern Liberties (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7772)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 01, 2022, 05:05:21 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT To Host Open House for Frankford Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project over Frankford Creek in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7790)
Title: Re: Pennsylvania
Post by: roadman65 on September 04, 2022, 07:10:49 AM
Is the side mounted signals without overheads on the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philly done to not effect the view of City Hall looking SE Bound on the Parkway as well as the NW Bound view of the Art Museum?

I read that city planners made the BF Parkway diagonal through the city between City Hall and the Museum on purpose to offer a linear line of sight between the two as well as create a park between the two.  So I assume the mast arms would ruin those views.
Title: Re: Re: Pennsylvania
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 04, 2022, 08:44:32 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on September 04, 2022, 07:10:49 AM
Is the side mounted signals without overheads on the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philly done to not effect the view of City Hall looking SE Bound on the Parkway as well as the NW Bound view of the Art Museum?

I read that city planners made the BF Parkway diagonal through the city between City Hall and the Museum on purpose to offer a linear line of sight between the two as well as create a park between the two.  So I assume the mast arms would ruin those views.

I'd move this post to the Philly thread if I could. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on September 04, 2022, 08:14:33 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 04, 2022, 08:44:32 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on September 04, 2022, 07:10:49 AM
Is the side mounted signals without overheads on the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philly done to not effect the view of City Hall looking SE Bound on the Parkway as well as the NW Bound view of the Art Museum?

I read that city planners made the BF Parkway diagonal through the city between City Hall and the Museum on purpose to offer a linear line of sight between the two as well as create a park between the two.  So I assume the mast arms would ruin those views.

I'd move this post to the Philly thread if I could. 
I can ;)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 08, 2022, 04:28:27 PM
(For PA 611)  PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA to Restrict Northbound Broad Street (Route 611) for Subway Station Improvements in South Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7806)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 15, 2022, 01:01:07 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 North Ramp to I-76 East/Packer Avenue to Close at Night for Paving in South Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7822)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 16, 2022, 01:14:14 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Wolf Administration Marks Completion of Major Construction on Chestnut Street Bridges Rehabilitation Project in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7828)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 22, 2022, 10:44:05 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA to Close W. Girard Avenue for Trolley Track Replacement in North Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7837)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 06, 2022, 03:45:16 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Steel Repair Planned Next Week on the I-95 Girard Point Bridge in Philadelphia (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7868)  (not entirely Philly related but the most important part is in Philly)

(For US 30)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Planned on Girard Avenue (U.S. 30) Near Philadelphia Zoo (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7871)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: bluecountry on October 08, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
When is the awful mess of I-95 south of Philly going to be finished?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on October 08, 2022, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on October 08, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
When is the awful mess of I-95 south of Philly going to be finished?

You mean in Wilmington? Or the paving project in Delaware County?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on October 08, 2022, 11:22:44 PM
Quote from: famartin on October 08, 2022, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on October 08, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
When is the awful mess of I-95 south of Philly going to be finished?

You mean in Wilmington? Or the paving project in Delaware County?
Everything from the PA line north to Exit 8 has been a disaster. My take is because they have to maintain 3 lanes each way, it takes a very long time to get anything done.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on October 09, 2022, 12:02:53 AM
Quote from: Alps on October 08, 2022, 11:22:44 PM
Quote from: famartin on October 08, 2022, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on October 08, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
When is the awful mess of I-95 south of Philly going to be finished?

You mean in Wilmington? Or the paving project in Delaware County?
Everything from the PA line north to Exit 8 has been a disaster. My take is because they have to maintain 3 lanes each way, it takes a very long time to get anything done.

PennDOT seems to run that project (and many paving projects) far less efficiently than other organizations, even PTC does much better.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 09, 2022, 01:28:02 AM
Quote from: famartin on October 09, 2022, 12:02:53 AM
Quote from: Alps on October 08, 2022, 11:22:44 PM
Quote from: famartin on October 08, 2022, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on October 08, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
When is the awful mess of I-95 south of Philly going to be finished?

You mean in Wilmington? Or the paving project in Delaware County?
Everything from the PA line north to Exit 8 has been a disaster. My take is because they have to maintain 3 lanes each way, it takes a very long time to get anything done.

PennDOT seems to run that project (and many paving projects) far less efficiently than other organizations, even PTC does much better.

I don't know what they've done other than mill and repave; certainly could be some other stuff going on.  But it really is taking a long time to do whatever it is they're doing.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jemacedo9 on October 09, 2022, 09:29:07 AM
Its not just a simple mill and repave...its a rehab, so they are cutting out deteriorated sections of the old concrete underneath and refilling with new concrete, and then repaving...all while keeping 3 lanes open at least weekday days.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 09, 2022, 10:49:54 AM
I've been posting about nighttime lane and ramp closures on the I-95 Delaware County project in the general PA thread.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 20, 2022, 09:23:57 AM
(For US 30)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Planned on Girard Avenue (U.S. 30) Near Philadelphia Zoo (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7897)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 23, 2022, 07:14:54 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Reopen Betsy Ross Bridge Ramp to I-95 North Thursday in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7906)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 27, 2022, 09:53:04 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on October 20, 2022, 09:23:57 AM
(For US 30)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Planned on Girard Avenue (U.S. 30) Near Philadelphia Zoo (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7897)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Planned on Girard Avenue (U.S. 30) Near Philadelphia Zoo (http://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7918)

(For I-95)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repair Scheduled Next Week on I-95, Girard Point Bridge in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7921)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 03, 2022, 12:55:39 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repair Planned Next Week on I-95, Girard Point Bridge in Philadelphia and Delaware County (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7931)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 10, 2022, 12:36:46 PM
(For PA 611) PennDOT - District 6 News: Final Line Striping Planned Next Week on Broad Street (Route 611) near Vine Street in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7942)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 15, 2022, 05:33:13 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 South Reconstruction Completed, New Traffic Pattern Planned This Week for Final Stage of BS1 Contract at Bridge Street (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7951)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 17, 2022, 12:52:36 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Line Striping Planned Next Week on Callowhill Street in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7957)

QuotePennDOT's contractor will be performing final line markings on the bridge deck. At the completion of the line markings traffic will be able to travel in both directions on Callowhill Street from 15th Street to Broad Street (Route 611).

The way I am reading this is that part of Callowhill St is becoming two-way.

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on November 17, 2022, 02:06:27 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on November 17, 2022, 12:52:36 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Line Striping Planned Next Week on Callowhill Street in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7957)

QuotePennDOT's contractor will be performing final line markings on the bridge deck. At the completion of the line markings traffic will be able to travel in both directions on Callowhill Street from 15th Street to Broad Street (Route 611).

The way I am reading this is that part of Callowhill St is becoming two-way.

Yes, that's not a big deal.  It's a one block segment to the west of Broad Street.  The portion west of 15th street is already 2 way, so this just continues it to Broad.
The problem will likely be that police cars somehow block it up with only 1 lane per way, as that's the new policy headquarters on that block...  (we'll see)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on November 18, 2022, 02:16:04 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 09, 2022, 01:28:02 AM
Quote from: famartin on October 09, 2022, 12:02:53 AM
Quote from: Alps on October 08, 2022, 11:22:44 PM
Quote from: famartin on October 08, 2022, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on October 08, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
When is the awful mess of I-95 south of Philly going to be finished?

You mean in Wilmington? Or the paving project in Delaware County?
Everything from the PA line north to Exit 8 has been a disaster. My take is because they have to maintain 3 lanes each way, it takes a very long time to get anything done.

PennDOT seems to run that project (and many paving projects) far less efficiently than other organizations, even PTC does much better.

I don't know what they've done other than mill and repave; certainly could be some other stuff going on.  But it really is taking a long time to do whatever it is they're doing.

When's the last time you drove through? they took the old barrier wall out, put a new higher one in while doing concrete work on the bridges and fixing all guard rails, along with redoing the concrete sections under the roadway, and repaving.

Fixing all old signs, line strips, reflectors and all.

They basically did a whole major Rehab on the road from the Delaware line to The Airport. Something we can all attest that the portion through Chester needed badly, those broken green reflectors on the barriers were sad to look at now they are gone and the ones that have stayed have been replaced.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 18, 2022, 11:19:39 PM
Quote from: Tonytone on November 18, 2022, 02:16:04 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 09, 2022, 01:28:02 AM
Quote from: famartin on October 09, 2022, 12:02:53 AM
Quote from: Alps on October 08, 2022, 11:22:44 PM
Quote from: famartin on October 08, 2022, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on October 08, 2022, 07:21:00 PM
When is the awful mess of I-95 south of Philly going to be finished?

You mean in Wilmington? Or the paving project in Delaware County?
Everything from the PA line north to Exit 8 has been a disaster. My take is because they have to maintain 3 lanes each way, it takes a very long time to get anything done.

PennDOT seems to run that project (and many paving projects) far less efficiently than other organizations, even PTC does much better.

I don't know what they've done other than mill and repave; certainly could be some other stuff going on.  But it really is taking a long time to do whatever it is they're doing.

When's the last time you drove through? they took the old barrier wall out, put a new higher one in while doing concrete work on the bridges and fixing all guard rails, along with redoing the concrete sections under the roadway, and repaving.

Fixing all old signs, line strips, reflectors and all.

They basically did a whole major Rehab on the road from the Delaware line to The Airport. Something we can all attest that the portion through Chester needed badly, those broken green reflectors on the barriers were sad to look at now they are gone and the ones that have stayed have been replaced.

I was thru there last Friday.  I'll take a look next time I'm in the area.  Didn't notice the new concrete barrier and such so I'll eyeball it a bit more in the future.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 22, 2022, 01:43:25 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Pump Station Improvement Planned Next Tuesday on I-676 in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7965)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on November 22, 2022, 07:29:00 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on November 22, 2022, 01:43:25 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Pump Station Improvement Planned Next Tuesday on I-676 in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7965)

damn, and i was hoping for the second coming of the Vine St Canalway /s
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 29, 2022, 01:04:26 PM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Begins U.S. 13 South Bridge Replacement over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7980)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 01, 2022, 05:00:03 PM
(For I-95)   PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Begins Project to Reconstruct I-95 at the Bridge Street Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7993)

Apparently the existing 27 point may eventually be marked as closed in Travel Mapping.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 08, 2022, 08:55:25 AM
(For I-95)   PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Begins Project to Reconstruct I-95 at the Bridge Street Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8003)

(For I-95)   PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway and Bridge Construction Scheduled Next Week on I-95, Girard Point Bridge in Delaware, Philadelphia Counties (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8003) (This one is really both Philadelphia and Delaware County.)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 15, 2022, 06:35:37 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Sign Installation, Pavement Repair Planned Monday Night on I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia

QuoteKing of Prussia, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that overhead sign installation and pavement repairs are planned next week on Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia under the $79 million Section BS1 project to improve the highway at the Bridge Street Interchange.

Motorists are advised of the following travel restriction:

Monday, December 19, from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, double lane closures will be in place on northbound and southbound I-95 between the Cottman Avenue and Bridge Street interchanges.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area or use an alternate route because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

The Section BS1 contract is reconstructing I-95 between Levick and Carver streets at the northern end of the Bridge Street Interchange through spring 2023. Construction has shifted to the median area.

At the completion of Section BS1, mainline construction will get underway for Section BS2 widening and reconstruction between Carver and Margaret streets, which also includes relocation of the Bridge Street Interchange ramps and surface street improvements in the interchange area.

To learn more about PennDOT's I-95 reconstruction and improvement program, visit www.95revive.com.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 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 1,000 traffic cameras.

For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brad Rudolph, 610-205-6800
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 06, 2023, 11:23:00 AM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - Statewide News: Governor Wolf Announces Investments to Improve Traffic Safety with Automated Speed Enforcement Funds (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/pages/all-news-details.aspx?newsid=1013)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 12, 2023, 09:40:54 AM
(For US 1 and US 13)   PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway Construction Continues Next Week on Wyoming Avenue Under Ramp Replacement Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7985)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 17, 2023, 04:52:48 PM
(For US 1 and US 13)   PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway Construction Continues Next Week on Wyoming Avenue Under Ramp Replacement Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7997)

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 19, 2023, 12:50:56 PM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Host Open House Plans Display for Safety Improvement Project on U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8003)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 26, 2023, 09:10:16 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on January 12, 2023, 09:40:54 AM
(For US 1 and US 13)   PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway Construction Continues Next Week on Wyoming Avenue Under Ramp Replacement Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=7985)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway Construction Continues Next Week on Wyoming Avenue Under Ramp Replacement Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8014)

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 31, 2023, 07:36:18 AM
CE Expert System:

PA 611 Broad Street Safety Improvements (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec852588e50053b66b?OpenDocument)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 10, 2023, 04:54:24 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Ramp Restrictions Planned Next Week On I-95 for Sign Construction at Betsy Ross Interchange in Philadelphia

QuoteKing of Prussia, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that sign construction will occur next week on Interstate 95 at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange in Philadelphia under the $93.6 million I-95 Section BR2 project to reconstruct and improve the ramps between the Betsy Ross Bridge, Aramingo Avenue, and I-95.

Motorists are advised of the following travel restrictions:

Monday, February 13, and Tuesday, February 14, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, intermittent traffic stoppages and slowdowns are scheduled on the ramp from I-95 north to the Betsy Ross Bridge; and
Monday, February 13, and Tuesday, February 14, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, intermittent traffic stoppages and slowdowns are scheduled on the ramp from the Betsy Ross Bridge to Aramingo Avenue.
Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through or near the work area. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

For more information on PennDOT's I-95 Reconstruction Program, visit www.95revive.com.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 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 1,000 traffic cameras.

For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 16, 2023, 10:28:43 AM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 13 South Ramp from U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) to Close February 27 Through Early 2024 for Bridge Replacement in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8066)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on February 24, 2023, 09:03:35 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on February 16, 2023, 10:28:43 AM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 13 South Ramp from U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) to Close February 27 Through Early 2024 for Bridge Replacement in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8066)

Speaking of bridges, this one spanning I-676 had this bracket in Oct. 2022.  Did the bracket ever have a sign, or is it still awaiting its first one after 30 years?

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.957379,-75.1581982,3a,27.4y,284.63h,90.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQyFr5VbrCqeIUeaXrwZnfw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: odditude on February 27, 2023, 12:37:58 AM
Quote from: ixnay on February 24, 2023, 09:03:35 AM
Speaking of bridges, this one spanning I-676 had this bracket in Oct. 2022.  Did the bracket ever have a sign, or is it still awaiting its first one after 30 years?

did you forget a link or two?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 27, 2023, 01:55:43 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Begins Preliminary Construction On New I-95 Cap At Penn's Landing (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8092)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on February 27, 2023, 08:47:54 PM
Quote from: odditude on February 27, 2023, 12:37:58 AM
Quote from: ixnay on February 24, 2023, 09:03:35 AM
Speaking of bridges, this one spanning I-676 had this bracket in Oct. 2022.  Did the bracket ever have a sign, or is it still awaiting its first one after 30 years?

did you forget a link or two?

Yes.  Thank you.  Went back and fixed where I first mentioned the Vine Exp.'s blank bracket, and that link appears in this post too.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.957379,-75.1581982,3a,27.4y,284.63h,90.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQyFr5VbrCqeIUeaXrwZnfw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2023, 09:43:22 PM
Quote from: ixnay on February 27, 2023, 08:47:54 PM
Quote from: odditude on February 27, 2023, 12:37:58 AM
Quote from: ixnay on February 24, 2023, 09:03:35 AM
Speaking of bridges, this one spanning I-676 had this bracket in Oct. 2022.  Did the bracket ever have a sign, or is it still awaiting its first one after 30 years?

did you forget a link or two?

Yes.  Thank you.  Went back and fixed where I first mentioned the Vine Exp.'s blank bracket, and that link appears in this post too.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.957379,-75.1581982,3a,27.4y,284.63h,90.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQyFr5VbrCqeIUeaXrwZnfw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192


Just a guess, but originally this area was 2 lanes, with an decel lane starting around here for the Broad Street exit.  Before 2009 (which was the first GSV image here) they converted the shoulder to a 3rd lane from 8th Street to the Broad Street exit.  Maybe it had something to do with that decel lane, which was no longer needed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on February 28, 2023, 12:05:25 PM
Perhaps there was a sign for the PA Convention Center or City Hall (wouldn't explain why it's been missing for a decade+ though)...

I think the lane drop was well complete by 12th street, but memory is a funny thing. I drove that every morning from 2002-2004, and remember it being much better after the onramp was expanded to Broad Street.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 28, 2023, 10:37:45 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on February 28, 2023, 12:05:25 PM
Perhaps there was a sign for the PA Convention Center or City Hall (wouldn't explain why it's been missing for a decade+ though)...

I think the lane drop was well complete by 12th street, but memory is a funny thing. I drove that every morning from 2002-2004, and remember it being much better after the onramp was expanded to Broad Street.

PA Convention Center does sound kinda likely, actually.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alex on March 01, 2023, 09:09:49 AM
Quote from: ixnay on February 27, 2023, 08:47:54 PM
Quote from: odditude on February 27, 2023, 12:37:58 AM
Quote from: ixnay on February 24, 2023, 09:03:35 AM
Speaking of bridges, this one spanning I-676 had this bracket in Oct. 2022.  Did the bracket ever have a sign, or is it still awaiting its first one after 30 years?

did you forget a link or two?

Yes.  Thank you.  Went back and fixed where I first mentioned the Vine Exp.'s blank bracket, and that link appears in this post too.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.957379,-75.1581982,3a,27.4y,284.63h,90.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQyFr5VbrCqeIUeaXrwZnfw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 28, 2023, 10:37:45 PM
Quote from: Flyer78 on February 28, 2023, 12:05:25 PM
Perhaps there was a sign for the PA Convention Center or City Hall (wouldn't explain why it's been missing for a decade+ though)...

I think the lane drop was well complete by 12th street, but memory is a funny thing. I drove that every morning from 2002-2004, and remember it being much better after the onramp was expanded to Broad Street.

PA Convention Center does sound kinda likely, actually.

The sign was gone by 2004. So I looked through my converted camcorder footage and found the removed sign in question from December 30, 1994:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum_images/northeast/i-676-e-at-12th-st-12-30-94.jpg)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Flyer78 on March 01, 2023, 09:15:03 AM
Nice find! The visitor center relocated to Independence Mall from JFK (Love Statue) Park, so that makes sense that it removed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 01, 2023, 11:09:55 AM
Yeah, thank you!!!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 03, 2023, 05:40:45 AM
 PennDOT - District 6 News: Construction Planned Next Week on I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia   (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8099)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on March 08, 2023, 06:26:11 PM
Philly plans to cap the Vine Street Expressway to reconnect Chinatown

https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/chinatown-stitch-vine-expressway-cap-philadelphia-transportation-20230308.html

If it's paywalled, some of the notable paragraphs:

QuoteThey're calling it the Chinatown Stitch, a modest name for a massive construction project that would reconnect the north and south sides of the neighborhood by physically capping the below-ground Vine Street Expressway.

City officials and neighborhood leaders said Wednesday that they're newly hopeful that, finally, it can be done. If all goes as planned – and that's a big if – groundbreaking could come in 2028.

QuoteThe study area would be from Broad Street to Eighth Street.

A cap would reduce noise, create green space, and become a platform for construction of homes and businesses. Officials had no estimate of total cost but said that capping a single city block could be $25 million to $30 million.

Note:  Board Street would be 14th Street if numbered, so they are looking at capping 6 blocks, which would be roughly $150 - $180 million.

QuoteThe planning also will address ground-level Vine Street itself, where traffic is plentiful and fast, so that a cap does not become merely an oasis in the middle of busy east and west streets.

There's also a survey that can be filled out, although it's mostly geared towards the residents in the area:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Stitch

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on March 09, 2023, 09:12:21 AM
Saw that on the Philly Tribune page (and only because I did a random Google search to see if anyone was using any of my recent PA road pics from Wikimedia, and as it turned out, they did)
https://www.phillytrib.com/city-wins-1-8m-to-make-plan-for-chinatown/article_efdbb8b2-085e-50f8-b8e7-48bc8aa2b958.html
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 10, 2023, 01:31:03 PM
(For probably PA 3 or maybe not)  PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA Bus-Only Lane to be Painted Red on Market Street in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8128)

(For I-76 and US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Inspection Scheduled on the I-76 East Ramp to U.S 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) North in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8132)

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on March 14, 2023, 07:05:26 AM
Was there in addition to the cancelled I-695 and PA 90 freeways a proposal for a Multistate I-895 to cross the Delaware River from NE Philly on I-95 to around Delran, NJ on I-295?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: tckma on March 14, 2023, 10:26:51 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 14, 2023, 07:05:26 AM
cancelled PA 90 freeway

When I was moving to Philly, I found my some of my old Hagstrom maps from when I collected them in my youth (starting at age 7).  In my Greater Philadelphia/Camden Atlas, it looks like I  FritzOwled the PA-90 freeway somewhat directly across Philly and out to I-76, funnily, in a path that goes RIGHT OVER MY CURRENT HOUSE, i.e. parallel to the street I live on.  This routing would  require knocking out entire neighborhoods, including all of the row houses on my side of the street in that block.  Oops. :D  I had NO idea I would one day live in Philly.

Back then I understood nothing about RoW taking and eminent domain.  I also remember that I hated seeing stub ends in my Hagstrom atlases without a proposed route coming out of them.  "Well there must have been a REASON they built it like that," and I often drew in my own.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: famartin on March 14, 2023, 11:51:40 AM
Quote from: tckma on March 14, 2023, 10:26:51 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 14, 2023, 07:05:26 AM
cancelled PA 90 freeway

When I was moving to Philly, I found my some of my old Hagstrom maps from when I collected them in my youth (starting at age 7).  In my Greater Philadelphia/Camden Atlas, it looks like I  FritzOwled the PA-90 freeway somewhat directly across Philly and out to I-76, funnily, in a path that goes RIGHT OVER MY CURRENT HOUSE, i.e. parallel to the street I live on.  This routing would  require knocking out entire neighborhoods, including all of the row houses on my side of the street in that block.  Oops. :D  I had NO idea I would one day live in Philly.

Back then I understood nothing about RoW taking and eminent domain.  I also remember that I hated seeing stub ends in my Hagstrom atlases without a proposed route coming out of them.  "Well there must have been a REASON they built it like that," and I often drew in my own.

Yeah, being an old fart now makes me think of things like this too. I once again live near where the Somerset Freeway was once going to begin (though now on the outside of I-295 as opposed to being inside the loop) and I gotta admit, I'm reasonably sure this area would be more developed if they'd pushed the road through (and I'm glad that didn't happen). But, back then, it did annoy me to no end that I-95 was cancelled up in this area.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Chris19001 on March 14, 2023, 12:00:50 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 14, 2023, 07:05:26 AM
Was there in addition to the cancelled I-695 and PA 90 freeways a proposal for a Multistate I-895 to cross the Delaware River from NE Philly on I-95 to around Delran, NJ on I-295?
Not really Delran, but the replacement for the Burlington Bristol Bridge would have gone off where the PA-413 exit is on I-95.  It was proposed to be I-895 for a bit.
http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1974/ (http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1974/)

Going across NE Philly would have been the 10 mile loop.
http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1966/ (http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1966/)

(Note, I am not associated with the linked website.  I just find those maps useful for Philly unbuilt projects)

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 15, 2023, 10:36:24 AM
Quote from: Chris19001 on March 14, 2023, 12:00:50 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 14, 2023, 07:05:26 AM
Was there in addition to the cancelled I-695 and PA 90 freeways a proposal for a Multistate I-895 to cross the Delaware River from NE Philly on I-95 to around Delran, NJ on I-295?
Not really Delran, but the replacement for the Burlington Bristol Bridge would have gone off where the PA-413 exit is on I-95.  It was proposed to be I-895 for a bit.
http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1974/ (http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1974/)

Going across NE Philly would have been the 10 mile loop.
http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1966/ (http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1966/)

(Note, I am not associated with the linked website.  I just find those maps useful for Philly unbuilt projects)



I might mistake you for my cousin's husband (they live in Abington as well), but no one here will mistake you for Steve Anderson (creator & webmaster for Boston, NYC, Philly, DC, & Chicago roads) ;-)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: roadman65 on March 15, 2023, 12:57:29 PM
Quote from: Chris19001 on March 14, 2023, 12:00:50 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 14, 2023, 07:05:26 AM
Was there in addition to the cancelled I-695 and PA 90 freeways a proposal for a Multistate I-895 to cross the Delaware River from NE Philly on I-95 to around Delran, NJ on I-295?
Not really Delran, but the replacement for the Burlington Bristol Bridge would have gone off where the PA-413 exit is on I-95.  It was proposed to be I-895 for a bit.
http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1974/ (http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1974/)

Going across NE Philly would have been the 10 mile loop.
http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1966/ (http://www.phillyroads.com/history/expwy-map_1966/)

(Note, I am not associated with the linked website.  I just find those maps useful for Philly unbuilt projects)



That I-695 loop, I’m not sure of, as it seems was not worthwhile as a proposal  of as near I can tell the loop was way to small. Though, it would have eliminated the need to use both Penrose Ave. and 26th Street to connect both I-95 and I-76. Other than that, what purpose would it of served?
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on March 19, 2023, 06:52:49 PM
On the SWPA thread, 74/171 posted this link as to the future of the Schuylkill (IDK if this has been linked on the Philly or PA threads before; I didn't know about the link until a few moments ago).

https://transform76.com/ [thanks, 74/171]

Notice the proposed flex lanes between the Turnpike and Conshy and between Belmont and the Roosevelt Expy., which does jog my memory.  The gestation of these lanes will be interesting.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: tckma on March 20, 2023, 10:50:57 AM
Quote from: ixnay on March 19, 2023, 06:52:49 PM
Notice the proposed flex lanes between the Turnpike and Conshy and between Belmont and the Roosevelt Expy., which does jog my memory.  The gestation of these lanes will be interesting.

People already frequently use the shoulder as a travel lane in this area (and it pisses me off when they do).  "Flex lanes" just makes it legal.

I'll be happier when and if they do the coordinated signal timings that are promised.  Umbria St/Leverington Ave/Main St/Green Lane is an absolute nightmare in the mornings approaching 76, especially during the 8-9AM hour, and I think signal timings could help.  Similarly, Belmont Ave/Rock Hill Road in Lower Marion Township in the afternoons, particularly during the 5:30-6:30pm hour.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 28, 2023, 02:38:03 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 North Ramp to Bridge Street/Harbison Avenue (Exit 27) to Close Permanently Next Month in Northeast Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8182)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 06, 2023, 12:45:36 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs Planned Next Week on I-95 South in Bridesburg (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8216)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 13, 2023, 04:30:10 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs to Close Aramingo Avenue Ramp to I-95 South Beginning April 21 in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8236)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 14, 2023, 05:14:03 PM
(Mainly for US 1 and I-76) PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95, U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) Among State Highways Scheduled for Construction Activities Next Week in Philadelphia Region (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8244)

Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 28, 2023, 02:38:03 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 North Ramp to Bridge Street/Harbison Avenue (Exit 27) to Close Permanently Next Month in Northeast Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8182)

PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 North Ramp to Bridge Street/Harbison Avenue (Exit 27) to Close Permanently April 27 in Northeast Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8245)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 20, 2023, 07:39:30 AM
CE Expert System:   

59th Street O/ AMTRAK (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec85258673004b3684?OpenDocument)

Frankford Ave over Frankford Creek (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec852585e6006af1df?OpenDocument)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs to Close Aramingo Avenue Ramp to I-95 South This Weekend, Next Weekend in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8250)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 04, 2023, 09:33:39 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs to Close Aramingo Avenue Ramp to I-95 South Next Weekend in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8283)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 10, 2023, 02:20:39 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs to Close Aramingo Avenue Ramp to I-95 South This Weekend, Next Weekend in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8306)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 16, 2023, 01:05:07 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs to Close Aramingo Avenue Ramp to I-95 South This Weekend in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8325)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 25, 2023, 01:28:31 PM
(For I-95, posting here since more relevant portion is in Philly proper) PennDOT - District 6 News: Paving, Bridge Repair Planned Next Week on I-295 in Bucks County, I-95 Ramp in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8356)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 02, 2023, 08:31:01 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA Bus-Only Lane to be Painted Red on Market Street in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8384)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on June 08, 2023, 10:01:28 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs to Close Aramingo Avenue Ramp to I-95 South This Weekend in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8396)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 06, 2023, 10:17:23 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway, Bridge Construction Scheduled at Night Next Week on I-95 in Delaware County (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8459)

The important news affects PA 291 in Philly.

QuoteFriday, July 14, through Friday, August 18, the ramp from Route 291 (Bartram Avenue) to southbound I-95Opens In A New Window in Philadelphia will be closed and detoured 24/7. During the closure motorists will be directed to follow the posted detour route.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 07, 2023, 03:41:38 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: SEPTA Bus-Only Lane to be Painted Red on West Market Street in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8471)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: kendallhart808 on July 12, 2023, 10:54:55 AM
Does anyone know what PennDOT is working on along I-76 from Belmont-ish area to Roosevelt Avenue? Seems like they are resurfacing but they've moved lanes around and destroyed the old concrete median.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 12, 2023, 11:45:13 AM
Quote from: kendallhart808 on July 12, 2023, 10:54:55 AM
Does anyone know what PennDOT is working on along I-76 from Belmont-ish area to Roosevelt Avenue? Seems like they are resurfacing but they've moved lanes around and destroyed the old concrete median.

Yeah, I thought it was just a general resurfacing project.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 13, 2023, 09:54:58 AM
(Update related to PA 291 is in Philly)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Traffic Shift Scheduled Monday Night on I-95 South in Delaware County (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8479)

QuoteThe planned closure of Route 291 (Bartram Avenue) ramp to southbound I-95Opens In A New Window in Philadelphia has been postponed. The ramp was scheduled to close beginning Friday, July 14 through Friday, August 18. The ramp closure will be rescheduled at a date to be determined.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 15, 2023, 10:47:21 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on July 12, 2023, 11:45:13 AM
Quote from: kendallhart808 on July 12, 2023, 10:54:55 AM
Does anyone know what PennDOT is working on along I-76 from Belmont-ish area to Roosevelt Avenue? Seems like they are resurfacing but they've moved lanes around and destroyed the old concrete median.

Yeah, I thought it was just a general resurfacing project.

Most likely they are doing what they have been doing on all the current resurfacing & improvement projects in the area.

They have been destroying old barrier medians, repairing/bringing new ones in & then repaving the roads, improving signage, lighting and reflectors.

It's been apart of the whole infrastructure they have been doing in the area, the first example of this is 95 from the Delaware Line to 476, they redid everything, and put a brand new barrier wall in the Chester portion as well.

It's very well needed, and I cant wait till 76 is smooth as butter and looking good, they just finished the bridge project on the 1 by Manuyunk and it's nice.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 19, 2023, 04:55:51 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Repairs Begin Tonight on I-95 South in South Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8503)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 20, 2023, 09:18:46 AM
(For I-95 and PA 291)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway, Bridge Construction Scheduled at Night on I-95 in Delaware County (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8507)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on July 28, 2023, 02:49:30 PM
(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Host Virtual Public Meeting for City Avenue (U.S. 1) Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Philadelphia, Lower Merion Township (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8539)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Dough4872 on July 30, 2023, 06:57:33 PM
https://6abc.com/truck-fire-tacony-bridge-philadelphia-roads-closed/13574249/ Another truck fire under a bridge in Philly, not far from the I-95 collapse
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on July 30, 2023, 09:44:42 PM
Quote from: Dough4872 on July 30, 2023, 06:57:33 PM
https://6abc.com/truck-fire-tacony-bridge-philadelphia-roads-closed/13574249/ Another truck fire under a bridge in Philly, not far from the I-95 collapse

It is now reopened, luckily thousands of gallons of gas weren't involved this time to melt it.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 01, 2023, 09:35:14 AM
(For I-95)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Construction Planned on Allegheny Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8542)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 10, 2023, 02:56:14 PM
(For PA 3)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PECO Utility Improvement Planned on Route 3 (Chestnut Street) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8573)  (I am not even sure if this is actually PA 3, but whatever...)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Dough4872 on August 10, 2023, 05:00:39 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on August 10, 2023, 02:56:14 PM
(For PA 3)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PECO Utility Improvement Planned on Route 3 (Chestnut Street) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8573)  (I am not even sure if this is actually PA 3, but whatever...)

This stretch of Chestnut Street is eastbound PA 3.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 17, 2023, 10:48:03 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Completes West Coulter Street Bridge Replacement Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8586)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Construction Planned Next Week on I-95 South in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8590)

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 21, 2023, 11:56:53 AM
(For PA 3)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PECO Utility Improvement Planned on Route 3 (Chestnut Street) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8600)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 30, 2023, 09:33:08 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 CAP Construction at Penn's Landing to Close Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge Beginning September 5 (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8626)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on August 31, 2023, 07:25:26 AM
CE Expert System:

US 1 Roosevelt Blvd Crossover Lanes (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec8525890a004bf97d?OpenDocument)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 07, 2023, 08:36:26 PM
(Also for PA 291)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Deck Repair Scheduled at Night Next Week on I-95 in Delaware County (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8649)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 08, 2023, 01:32:45 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Overhead Sign Removal Planned Wednesday Night on I-95 South Near Betsy Ross Bridge in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8655)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 12, 2023, 09:38:26 AM
(For I-95)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Invites Public to Review and Comment on Interstate 95 Central and South Philadelphia Planning Study (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8659)

(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Continues on U.S. 13 South Ramp Over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) in Hunting Park (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8660)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 13, 2023, 10:07:26 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Southbound On-Off Ramps at Allegheny Avenue Reopen Nearly Two Weeks Ahead of Schedule in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8668)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Tonytone on September 13, 2023, 10:57:19 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 13, 2023, 10:07:26 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 Southbound On-Off Ramps at Allegheny Avenue Reopen Nearly Two Weeks Ahead of Schedule in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8668)

Confirmed, drove by earlier tonight, and was shocked it was already done since the other day it was a 4 foot deep ditch.

They did a good job!
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 21, 2023, 04:00:09 PM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Continues on U.S. 13 South Ramp Over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) in Hunting Park (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8687)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on September 29, 2023, 09:28:33 AM
(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: St. Joseph's University Pedestrian Bridge Construction Begins Next Week on U.S. 1 (City Avenue) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8705)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 06, 2023, 09:32:50 PM
(Technically for US 30 as well, but mainly for PA 3 EB)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PECO Utility Improvements Scheduled on Three State Highways in Montgomery, Philadelphia Counties (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8744)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 12, 2023, 09:36:29 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 12, 2023, 09:38:26 AM
(For I-95)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Invites Public to Review and Comment on Interstate 95 Central and South Philadelphia Planning Study (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8659)

PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Extends Deadline for Public Comment on Interstate 95 Central and South Philadelphia Planning Study (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8751)

QuoteThe Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the deadline has been extended to Friday, October 20, for the public to review and comment on the Interstate 95 Central and South Philadelphia (I-95 CSP) Planning Study by visiting the on-demand virtual public meeting roomOpens In A New Window.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: SkyPesos on October 17, 2023, 09:34:12 AM
Some updates regarding Roosevelt Blvd. I've kept up with the subway component of this project more than the actual road itself, but some of you might be interested in their three proposed road configurations (looks like there's a freeway, boulevard and whatever the "blended roadway" means)

(https://i.imgur.com/cHIWYEx.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/eRxUvyG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/bcPSiyN.png)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: Alps on October 17, 2023, 09:18:50 PM
i'm gonna vote "partially capped expressway from I-76 to I-287"
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 23, 2023, 07:54:47 AM
The CE Expert System has been updated in regard to I-95 at Penn's Landing (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec852589a5005e4432?OpenDocument).
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 30, 2023, 07:22:24 AM
The CE Expert System shows updated documents in regard to a road diet along 63rd St. (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec8525897400378fa4?OpenDocument)

QuoteThe following work is proposed at various intersections along 63rd Street/Cobbs Creek Parkway (S.R. 3015) extending from Market Street up to and including 67th Street:


•Restriping of pavement lanes on Cobbs Creek Parkway to reallocate the existing 4-lane to a 3-lane roadway with median islands and/or curb bump-outs on segments of 63rd St from Chestnut Street to Spruce Street.
•Restriping Cobbs Creek Parkway southbound to add a left turn lane.
•Adding a median island along Cobbs Creek Parkway.
•Full modernization and installation of traffic signal equipment, including but not limited to signal supports, signal heads, pedestrian countdown signal heads, retroreflective backplates, ground mounted signal controller cabinets, timing/phasing improvements, and signing.
•Construction of enhanced crosswalks with raised crossings, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, signing, and pavement marking upgrades.
•Construction of curb bump-outs and curb extensions along 63rd Street/Cobbs Creek Parkway.
•Construction of design and design-build ADA ramps.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 07, 2023, 05:06:59 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Ramps to I-95 South Reopen Friday at Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8843)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: ixnay on November 11, 2023, 08:21:16 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on November 07, 2023, 05:06:59 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Ramps to I-95 South Reopen Friday at Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8843)

And it has reopened.

https://www.roadsbridges.com/highway-construction/news/33014751/the-betsy-ross-bridge-i95-ramp-reopens

And I heard on one of KYW's traffic reports driving home from work yesterday that the ramp has reopened.

But as of this morning, nobody has told Google Maps/Traffic which still shows the ramp as closed until Jan. 2024.

EDIT:  As of this morning (11.13.2023) , Google Maps showed the ramp as open.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 12, 2023, 09:06:09 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Construction Planned on I-95 North Ramp in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8859)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 16, 2023, 09:32:12 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Walnut Pedestrian Bridge, Rotunda Demolition Begins November 27 Under I-95 CAP Project in Penn's Landing (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8866)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 30, 2023, 01:33:37 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Carver Street Under I-95 Closed Permanently Today for New Ramp Construction in Northeast Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8905)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Demolition Continues at Night Next Week on I-95 CAP Project in Penn's Landing (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8907)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 04, 2023, 07:31:11 AM
CE Expert System: Castor Ave Road Diet (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec852588ca006f48ab?OpenDocument)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 08, 2023, 02:09:21 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Demolition Continues Tonight on I-95 CAP Project in Penn's Landing (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8930)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 22, 2023, 09:20:59 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Partially Reopen W. Bristol Street and N. 5th Street Intersection Under Roadway Reconstruction Project in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8963)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Planned on 34th Street in Southwest Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8965)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 26, 2023, 07:03:41 PM
(Also for US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Ramp to I-76 West in Philadelphia Closed Due to Structural Damage Caused by Vehicle Strike (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8968)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on December 27, 2023, 03:58:06 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on December 26, 2023, 07:03:41 PM
(Also for US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Ramp to I-76 West in Philadelphia Closed Due to Structural Damage Caused by Vehicle Strike (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8968)

That detour will be a mess. There's only a stop sign at the end of the Montgomery Drive ramp. It's in dire need of a signal like the opposing ramps to/from WB 76.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 28, 2023, 02:18:49 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on December 26, 2023, 07:03:41 PM
(Also for US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Ramp to I-76 West in Philadelphia Closed Due to Structural Damage Caused by Vehicle Strike (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8968)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Planned Friday and Saturday to Repair and Reopen U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Ramp to I-76 West in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8975)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 29, 2023, 07:32:59 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on December 28, 2023, 02:18:49 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on December 26, 2023, 07:03:41 PM
(Also for US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Ramp to I-76 West in Philadelphia Closed Due to Structural Damage Caused by Vehicle Strike (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8968)
PennDOT - District 6 News: Bridge Construction Planned Friday and Saturday to Repair and Reopen U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Ramp to I-76 West in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8975)

PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Reopens U.S. 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) Ramp to I-76 West in Philadelphia Following Bridge Repair (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8981)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 02, 2024, 08:36:43 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Chestnut Street Bridge Over I-95 to Close January 15 for I-95 CAP Construction in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8982)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 04, 2024, 02:51:18 PM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway, Bridge Construction Continues Next Week on U.S. 13 South Ramp Over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) in Hunting Park (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8988)

QuoteDrivers are reminded that the southbound U.S. 13 (Hunting Park Avenue) ramp remains closed 24/7 through Monday, January 22, when the ramp is scheduled to reopen to traffic.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 05, 2024, 07:25:44 PM
(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Reopen Cayuga Street On-Ramp to U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) South Wednesday in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8996)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Lombard Circle Ramp to I-95 North to Close Wednesday in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8997)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 22, 2024, 01:29:10 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Demolition to Close I-95 North for 36 Hours February 3-5 in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9032)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: MASTERNC on January 23, 2024, 09:53:09 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on January 22, 2024, 01:29:10 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Demolition to Close I-95 North for 36 Hours February 3-5 in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9032)

Holy crazy map of alternative routes, Batman. 
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on January 24, 2024, 08:32:15 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on January 23, 2024, 09:53:09 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on January 22, 2024, 01:29:10 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Demolition to Close I-95 North for 36 Hours February 3-5 in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9032)

Holy crazy map of alternative routes, Batman. 

Yeah, it's a little ridiculous.  I guess they're thinking of all possible origins and destinations one needs to take, but frankly, they can cut this down a bit. 

While it'll be a $5 detour, the shortest and probably quickest detour would be take 95 North to I-76 East across the Walt Whitman bridge, North on I-676, pay the $5, cross the Ben Franklin, then pick up I-676 East to I-95 North.   Going southbound, do the reverse.  And that one isn't marked on the map as a single color. 

Possibly the easiest toll free is marked orange - using the Platt Bridge to 76 West to 676 East to 95 North; the reverse going south.

Some of the others are common sense - the NJ Turnpike is almost always going to be the fastest option to bypass Philly any if going between Delaware and North Jersey.

Notable that the arrows all point towards the North and East, not both directions.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 02 Park Ave on January 24, 2024, 10:31:14 PM
Only the northbound lanes will be closed.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: jeffandnicole on January 25, 2024, 08:06:10 AM
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on January 24, 2024, 10:31:14 PM
Only the northbound lanes will be closed.

Ah, ok, that explains that.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: tmoore952 on January 26, 2024, 04:00:53 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 24, 2024, 08:32:15 PM

Possibly the easiest toll free is marked orange - using the Platt Bridge to 76 West to 676 East to 95 North; the reverse going south.


Do you mean using the Platt Bridge to 26th Street to 76 West to 676 East to 95 North  ?
I didn't look at the map since this closure won't affect me.
But that's the route I always used to go downtown from the airport area.
IIRC that's what the signs would direct you to do when you cross the Platt Bridge.
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 01, 2024, 01:34:25 PM
PennDOT - Statewide News: Shapiro Administration Invests $19.3 Million for Traffic Safety Projects Across Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/pages/all-news-details.aspx?newsid=1111)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 05, 2024, 05:49:19 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Shapiro Administration Announces I-95 North Reopened Several Hours Early Following CAP Demolition in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9041)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 08, 2024, 07:47:07 AM
CE Expert System:  I-95: Ann St - Wheatsheaf (around Allegheny Ave interchange) (https://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain03.nsf/18c042d1dacb327c85256c010051898b/85257fc4007728ec85258a5b0067bfc4?OpenDocument)

Quote2023 - Construction Section AFR - This CE-Reevaluation is required due to the change in ROW takes from partial to a full acquisition for Parcel 7. MPMS# 115687 was added for Section AFR. New remarks were added under Project Funding and Fiscal Constraint. The information which follows is repeated from the CE Re-evaluation approved on 9/23/20. The I-95 Construction Section AF2 CEE is being re-evaluated to address information specific to Construction Section AF2. The first CEE for AFC was completed as a Hardship CEE for Monkiewicz Playground; it was re-evaluated in 2018 for overall Section AFC (Sections AF2 through AF4), except AF1, which was approved as a Re-Evaluation under the I-95 Section GR1 Re-Evaluation. This CEER has been completed for Construction Section AF2.

(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: St. Joseph's University Dormitory Construction Scheduled Next Week on U.S. 1 (City Avenue) in Philadelphia, Lower Merion Township (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9044)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 12, 2024, 12:43:04 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Demolition to Close I-95 South for 36 Hours February 24-26 in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9052)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 14, 2024, 02:18:44 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Construction Planned Next Week on I-95 in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9060)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 15, 2024, 04:09:33 PM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT Completes Major Construction on U.S. 13 South over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard), Reopens Ramp in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9064)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 22, 2024, 03:59:08 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Sign Installation Planned Wednesday Night on I-95 South in Northeast Philadelphia
(https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9079)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 23, 2024, 09:15:03 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Demolition to Close I-95 South for 36 Hours February 24-26 in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9084)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 26, 2024, 02:58:56 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Shapiro Administration Announces I-95 South Reopened Following CAP Demolition in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9088)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 28, 2024, 08:50:12 AM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Construction to Close I-95 South Overnight Next Week in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9090)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 04, 2024, 02:33:33 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: CAP Construction Scheduled on I-95 South This Week in Center City Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9107)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 06, 2024, 11:45:28 AM
(For US 1) PennDOT - District 6 News: Overhead Sign Installation Planned Next Week on U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9108)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 07, 2024, 12:05:33 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: I-95 North Ramp Construction Planned Next Week in Northeast Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9114)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 13, 2024, 08:40:33 AM
(Not technically in Philly, but it is so close to City Ave (US 1) that I think it fits here.)

PennDOT - District 6 News: PennDOT to Host Virtual Public Meeting for Belmont Avenue Roundabout Project in Lower Merion Township (may link to it later, it looks like some news releases are missing right now)

QuoteKing of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to attend a live virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 27, for the upcoming project to reconstruct the Belmont Avenue and St. Asaphs Road Intersection from a signalized intersection to a two-lane roundabout in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County.

As part of PennDOT's public outreach program, the department encourages the public to attend the live virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 27, beginning at 7:00 PM, by clicking on this Microsoft Live Teams meeting link prior to the presentation start time. The department's design team will deliver a project presentation before answering questions using the platform's Q&A feature.

Please note that internet access and a computer or mobile device are required to view the virtual meeting. Anyone with special needs or requiring special aid is requested to contact PennDOT Project Manager Nathan Parrish.

Members of the public who are unable to attend the meeting can view the meeting recording and copy of the project materials on the project webpage. An online comment form will also be available to submit questions or feedback.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Follow PennDOT on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact: Brad Rudolph, bradrudolph@pa.gov

Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 21, 2024, 08:03:03 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 06, 2024, 11:45:28 AM
(For US 1) PennDOT - District 6 News: Overhead Sign Installation Planned Next Week on U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9108)

PennDOT - District 6 News: Overhead Sign Installation Planned Next Week on U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) in Philadelphia (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9078)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 26, 2024, 07:01:21 PM
(For US 1 and US 13)  PennDOT - District 6 News: Roadway, Bridge Construction Continues Next Week on U.S. 13 South Ramp Over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) in Hunting Park - Ramp closure scheduled April 1 through April 3 (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9095)
Title: Re: Philadelphia
Post by: 74/171FAN on March 28, 2024, 01:40:14 PM
PennDOT - District 6 News: Maintenance Activities Scheduled in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Delaware Counties

QuoteKing of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that various maintenance activities are scheduled in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Delaware counties.

Motorists are advised of the following travel restrictions:

Friday, March 29, Saturday, March 30, and Monday, April 1, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Byberry Road will be closed between Evans Street and Worthington Road in Philadelphia for bridge repair. During the closure, motorists are directed to use Worthington Road, Southampton Road, and U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard).
Monday, April 1, through Wednesday, April 3, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Trevose Avenue will be closed between Route 532 (Bustleton Avenue) and Route 132 (Street Road) in Philadelphia and Southampton and Bensalem townships, Bucks County for pipe replacement. During the closer, motorists are directed to use Route 132 (Street Road), Philmont Avenue, and Route 532 (Bustleton Avenue).
Thursday, April 4, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Church Road will be closed between Valley Forge Road/Harrison Drive and St. Davids Road in Radnor and Newtown townships, Delaware County for tree removal. During the closure, motorists are directed to use St. Davids Road, Newtown Street Road, and Waterloo Road.
Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Green Street/Pebble Hill Road will be closed between Main Street and Edison Furlong Road in Doylestown Borough and Doylestown Township, Bucks county for pipe replacement. During the closure, motorists are directed to use Edison Furlong Road, Route 611 (Easton Road), and Easton Road/Main Street.
Local access will be maintained. Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work areas because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

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 1,000 traffic cameras.

For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Follow PennDOT on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact: Robyn Briggs, robbriggs@pa.gov

PennDOT - District 6 News: Construction Planned Next Thursday on I-95 North for CAP Project in Center City Philadelphia - Lombard Circle on-ramp to close Thursday (https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=9104)