Pennsylvania

[VTGoose]

Made a visit back to the 'Burgh for the holiday and I'm curious about a section of I-79 north of Waynesburg, starting around MP 17. The speed limit drops from 70 to 55 and stays that way for several miles. There are some curves in that stretch but they aren't any worse than other curves on either side. Does the township that section runs through have some special pull with PennDOT to get the speed lowered? Or was there an accident at one time and the lower speed limit is the result?

Longwall mining issues in that area.  It's only for 2 miles (and only NB), as it goes back 70 just after MP 19 till just after Exit 30, where it goes back to 55.

A speed limit that seemingly has zero effect on traffic... traveling through there a few months ago, traffic stayed at 75-80 mph through that 55 mph zone as they were doing in the 70 mph zone.

It didn't slow me down by much. What is the lower speed limit supposed to do, produce less vibration through the ground? How is that the only section through there that might be affected by mining?

[MASTERNC]

Made a visit back to the 'Burgh for the holiday and I'm curious about a section of I-79 north of Waynesburg, starting around MP 17. The speed limit drops from 70 to 55 and stays that way for several miles. There are some curves in that stretch but they aren't any worse than other curves on either side. Does the township that section runs through have some special pull with PennDOT to get the speed lowered? Or was there an accident at one time and the lower speed limit is the result?

Longwall mining issues in that area.  It's only for 2 miles (and only NB), as it goes back 70 just after MP 19 till just after Exit 30, where it goes back to 55.

The speed limit had been reduced in that area for a long time because of one curve prior to the Ruff Creek exit. I know they had been doing long wall mining south of Waynesburg.

[roadman65]

Why is the segment of I-70 east of Breezewood still 55? 

Also why is I-80 between PA 115 and I-380 still 65?  This stretch is totally rural and exit less for 10 miles.

[famartin]

Why is the segment of I-70 east of Breezewood still 55? 

Not entirely sure, but I've noticed a few sharper-than-they-should-be curves and shorter-than-they-should-be acceleration lanes in  that stretch. It may not justify such a long stretch of low speed limit, though, and as with many 55's, its mostly ignored.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Also why is I-80 between PA 115 and I-380 still 65?  This stretch is totally rural and exit less for 10 miles.
[/quote]

I wonder if it's due to the spillover Pocono vacation traffic and truck traffic, with the intent of slowing traffic heading into the substandard Stroudsbu4g stretch of I-80.

[Bitmapped]

Made a visit back to the 'Burgh for the holiday and I'm curious about a section of I-79 north of Waynesburg, starting around MP 17. The speed limit drops from 70 to 55 and stays that way for several miles. There are some curves in that stretch but they aren't any worse than other curves on either side. Does the township that section runs through have some special pull with PennDOT to get the speed lowered? Or was there an accident at one time and the lower speed limit is the result?

Longwall mining issues in that area.  It's only for 2 miles (and only NB), as it goes back 70 just after MP 19 till just after Exit 30, where it goes back to 55.

The speed limit had been reduced in that area for a long time because of one curve prior to the Ruff Creek exit. I know they had been doing long wall mining south of Waynesburg.

The reduced speed limit is because of the curve northbound. Southbound remains 70mph throughout. PennDOT rebuilt the curve circa 2003 which greatly improved superelevation. It seems like they never reevaluated the speed limit after the reconstruction.

There isn't any active longwall mining under I-79 at this time. North of Ruff Creek was undermined in the 1980s. South of Waynesburg, especially around Exit 7, was done 10+ years ago. There is some active longwall mining under I-70 around the PA/WV state line.

[74/171FAN]

(For US 30)  PennDOT - District 9 News: Route 30 Pavement Preservation Project to Begin Next Week  (mainly posting only due to weekend closure for US 30 the weekend of July 15th)

On Friday, July 15, a 20.8-mile detour will be in place through Sunday, July 17, for a pipe replacement. The roadway will be closed between Harrisonville and Breezy Point Road. The signed detour will follow: Route 655 (Pleasant Ridge Road), Route 475 (Waterfall Road), and Route 522 (Great Cove Road).

(For PA 309)  PennDOT - District 4 News: PennDOT Announces Online Plans Display for the SR 1014, Section 370, over SR 309 (Memorial Highway) Bridge Replacement Project in Dallas Township, Luzerne County

[bluecountry]

Are they ever going to build a full real interchange at Breezewood?

[Rothman]

Are they ever going to build a full real interchange at Breezewood?

No.

[bluecountry]

Are they ever going to build a full real interchange at Breezewood?

No.

[rickmastfan67]

Are they ever going to build a full real interchange at Breezewood?

Maybe in the year 3000. LOL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuleEXuULg

[74/171FAN]

Are they ever going to build a full real interchange at Breezewood?

Maybe in the year 3000. LOL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuleEXuULg

According to the Jonas Brothers, we will all be underwater though.

[sprjus4]

Why is the segment of I-70 east of Breezewood still 55? 

Not entirely sure, but I've noticed a few sharper-than-they-should-be curves and shorter-than-they-should-be acceleration lanes in  that stretch. It may not justify such a long stretch of low speed limit, though, and as with many 55's, its mostly ignored.

One interesting thing I noticed, is that a lot of the curves on that absurdly-low 55 mph segment also seem to be under posted. Most of them have "advisory speeds"  of 50 mph, yet they can easily be taken at 65 mph without any crazy maneuvering to maintain.

[famartin]

Why is the segment of I-70 east of Breezewood still 55? 

Not entirely sure, but I've noticed a few sharper-than-they-should-be curves and shorter-than-they-should-be acceleration lanes in  that stretch. It may not justify such a long stretch of low speed limit, though, and as with many 55's, its mostly ignored.

One interesting thing I noticed, is that a lot of the curves on that absurdly-low 55 mph segment also seem to be under posted. Most of them have "advisory speeds"  of 50 mph, yet they can easily be taken at 65 mph without any crazy maneuvering to maintain.

Well... I've found I can handle most curves at 15 mph above their advisory speed. The advisory speeds are intended for large trucks, IIRC.

[74/171FAN]

(For PA 321)  PennDOT - District 2 News: Southbound Detour for Route 321 Roadwork Extended Through July

[sbeaver44]

Saw this (Image credit to Google Street View) on I-83 North next to the Exit 10 2 miles sign.  I also remember seeing one like this on I-81 North just before the PA 581 exit.  1) what are these and 2) are they only found in PA?

[sbeaver44]

I think I may have solved this.  On the FHWA site, on the LTPP (Long Term Pavement Program site) there is a site 42-1610 in that location.

[74/171FAN]

(For US 202) PennDOT - District 6 News: Markley Street (U.S. 202 South), Dannehower Bridge Lane Closures Next Week for Construction in Norristown

(For PA 441) PennDOT - District 8 News: Box Culvert Project to Begin on Route 441 (River Road) in Conoy Township, Lancaster County

(For US 22, US 322, and I-81)  PennDOT - District 8 News: Closure Planned for EB Route 22 Ramp to NB I-81 in Dauphin County

[74/171FAN]

(For US 220)  PennDOT - District 3 News: Route 220 Safety Improvement Project Continues

(For US 1)  PennDOT - District 6 News: U.S. 1 North Lane Closures at Night Next Week for Construction in Bucks County

PennDOT - District 2 News: Mahantango Creek Covered Bridge Repair to Begin July 18

(For PA 33)  PennDOT - District 5 News: Wolf Administration Highlights Local Improvements Accelerated by Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

(For PA 64 and PA 550) PennDOT - District 2 News: Early July Update as Work Continues on Route 64/Route 550 Intersection Project

PennDOT - District 8 News: Online Plans Display Available, In-Person Public Meeting Planned for Route 3022 Maclay Street Bridge Replacement Project in the City of Harrisburg

[jemacedo9]

Yesterday, the PA House has overwhemingly passed the latest budget.  Included in that is the restoration of $175M annually out of the annual $500M of the Motor License Fund that goes to the State Police.  Now waiting for the PA Senate...

[MASTERNC]

Yesterday, the PA House has overwhemingly passed the latest budget.  Included in that is the restoration of $175M annually out of the annual $500M of the Motor License Fund that goes to the State Police.  Now waiting for the PA Senate...

Sounds like it is a done deal and the Governor signed

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2022/07/08/governor-wolf-45-2-billion-budget-spending-plan-pennsylvania-education-community-safety/stories/202207080120

[Crown Victoria]

Yesterday, the PA House has overwhemingly passed the latest budget.  Included in that is the restoration of $175M annually out of the annual $500M of the Motor License Fund that goes to the State Police.  Now waiting for the PA Senate...

Sounds like it is a done deal and the Governor signed

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2022/07/08/governor-wolf-45-2-billion-budget-spending-plan-pennsylvania-education-community-safety/stories/202207080120

It will be interesting to see what PennDOT does with the extra $175 million...more resurfacing projects certainly, but that money can also be used to provide better matching of federal funds for larger projects.

Also included in the budget package were new laws regarding P3s...particularly where tolling is concerned. New proposals involving tolling would need to provide much more detail before approval, must have a public comment period, and must be approved unanimously by the board governing P3 projects, before finally being subject to disapproval by the legislature. Any tolls would also have to be optional, meaning tolling of all lanes is out, but managed lanes are ok. The bridge tolling projects can still be advanced, but tolling would only be allowed if the projects are resubmitted under the new law.

*Senate Bill 382 is the P3 reform in question here. It is still awaiting the Governor's signature but passed the Senate unanimously and passed the House with a large majority in its current form.
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2021&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0382


Edit: Governor Wolf signed the bill on 7/11/22.

[bluecountry]

Are they ever going to build a full real interchange at Breezewood?

Maybe in the year 3000. LOL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuleEXuULg

Why?

Also, how come the PATP compared to I-68 sucks so much in terms of not really climbing mountain ridges?

[74/171FAN]

(For I-81 and PA 581)  PennDOT - District 8 News: Nighttime Closure Planned for NB I-81 Ramp to EB Route 581 in Cumberland County

(For PA 8)  PennDOT - District 10 News: Traffic Alert for Barrier Removal and Painting on State Route 8 in Butler County

[Crown Victoria]

Are they ever going to build a full real interchange at Breezewood?

Maybe in the year 3000. LOL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuleEXuULg

Why?

Also, how come the PATP compared to I-68 sucks so much in terms of not really climbing mountain ridges?

From what I understand, the locals around the Breezewood area, and/or their representatives in Harrisburg, believe that a proper interchange would cause the businesses in the area to close, causing too much harm to the area's economy.

As far as the Turnpike not climbing as many ridges as I-68, it's mainly because the route chosen back in the 1930s for the Turnpike used tunnels started by the South Pennsylvania Railroad back in the 1880s to pass through some of the mountains. In some other areas, the Turnpike uses gaps in the ridges, such as near Everett and Bedford. I'm not sure that the PA Turnpike "sucks" because of this, but to each their own.