DOCSLIB.ORG

3.3… Transportation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
3.3… Transportation The condition and accessibility of the transportation system has major implications for both the economic health and the quality of life of residents in the Donegal Area. Decisions on what types of business will be attracted and where they will locate are determined by the ease which both individuals and goods can be moved. The ability of the Donegal area’s transportation system to effectively move both visitors and residents is crucial to both the present economy and future growth and development. The Transportation section examines the issues and concerns regarding transportation within the project area, and lays the basis for understanding how development is shaped by the transportation network. Donegal’s location along the Pennsylvania Turnpike means that it has special transportation needs unique from many other rural areas. The Donegal exit of the Turnpike acts as a gateway for thousands of tourists who travel to various destinations throughout the southern portion of the Laurel Highlands. Destinations such as the ski resorts of Hidden Valley and Seven Springs, as well as the nearby town of Ligonier can be reached via Donegal and congestion is not uncommon, especially during the peak leaf viewing times of the fall and the winter ski season. Transportation State Route 31 (Mackin Photo, 2007) 3.3… Section 3…Background Studies Donegal Borough & Donegal Township PREVIOUS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING Westmoreland County Comprehensive Plan The Westmoreland County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in December 2004; part of the planning process was the crafting of ten principals to guide plans and development. Four of these guiding principals deal directly with transportation. 1) “Prioritize transportation improvements that reduce travel time from key areas of the county, thus reducing congestion on local highways.” 2) “Implement planning techniques and enforce development standards that cluster commercial development and discourage the proliferation of curb cuts on commercial highways.” 3) “Provide more options and fewer roadblocks to varieties of housing types … utilize design techniques that instill a sense of place, and reduce travel time for every day purchases.” 4) “Construction of new turnpike “EZPass” interchanges at State Routes 130 and 981.” The Westmoreland County Comprehensive Plan does not specifically address concerns related to the Donegal Area nor does it offer recommendations for future development related to transportation improvements. However, for the purposes of this Comprehensive Plan, transportation related issues and concerns for the Donegal Area are addressed using the related guiding principals set forth in the Westmoreland County Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, recommendations are made in a manner that seeks to best address the goals and priorities of other local and regional planning agencies. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) classifies all state-owned roads according to functional classifications. The classification of a roadway relates to its basic relationship to traffic levels of service and access. For example: Arterials provide a higher level of service and a greater deal of access control, while Local Roads provide the highest level of access, but provide much lower levels of service. Collector roads provide a balance between mobility and access. For the purpose of this plan, PennDOT Functional Classifications will be used to describe the road inventory. The road network is graphically shown on Map 3.3A: Local Transportation Network. 3.3-2 Joint Comprehensive Plan ROADWAY CLASSIFICATIONS Interstate Highways The Pennsylvania interstate system includes presently designated interstate routes that meet the federal interstate geometric and construction standards for future traffic demands. This designation is the highest classification of arterial roads and provides the highest level of service at the highest speed for the longest uninterrupted distances (Penn DOT, 2005). Designed to be the safest, all-weather highway network in the United States, the system was originally designed for national defense. Interstate 76/70 Pennsylvania Turnpike Interstate 70 and Interstate 76 (PA Turnpike) is a limited access, Interstate Highway that was constructed as part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike System. The highway transverses Donegal Township east west and provides connections to Pittsburgh to the west, and Harrisburg and Philadelphia to the east. The Donegal Interchange (PA Turnpike Exit 91) is located in Donegal Township and provides direct access to State Route 31 heading east and west. As the principal connection between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and the Washington D.C./Baltimore area and points west, combined Interstate 76/70 through Westmoreland County is a heavily traveled highway. Traffic counts along this roadway range from 36,000 to 45,000 vehicles daily. According to information provided by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (B. Heigel, personal communication, December 19 2007), the Turnpike does not have any planned improvements for the Donegal interchange although the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation does have a planned intersection improvement scheduled for State Route 31. However, the turnpike itself has gone through significant reconstruction over the past few years. Beginning in 2002, a reconstruction project to completely rebuild the turnpike between mileposts 85 and 94 was undertaken. This multi-year $66 million project rebuilt the old roadbeds, widened lanes of traffic and created new shoulders to improve traveler safety. Final Draft: 7/28/2008 3.3-3 Donegal Borough & Donegal Township Pennsylvania Turnpike 66 Pennsylvania Turnpike 66 is a toll highway that begins at the interchange of Interstate 76, and Interstate 70 and US 119. The toll road connects to regional arterials and US 22 at its northern terminus. This roadway provides access from Interstate 76/70 to US Route 30 and US Route 22, which are two of the primary arterials to job and population centers in eastern Allegheny County. Interstate I-70 Interstate 70 is an east to west limited access roadway that enters Westmoreland County from Washington County and shares an alignment with the Pennsylvania Turnpike 76 beginning at New Stanton. This roadway serves a major freight corridor for heavy trucks as well as a thoroughfare for out of state vehicular traffic and local trips. Principal Arterials Principal arterials provide statewide or interstate travel to urbanized areas. They provide integrated movements without stub connections. Design of the roadway usually consists of two (2) 12-foot lanes with 8 to 10 foot shoulders with speeds typically ranging from 45 to 65 miles per hour. There are no roadways classified as Principal Arterials in the Donegal Area, however, connections to principal arterials in the region can be made via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and State Route 711. US Route 30 US Route 30 is an east-west highway that bisects Westmoreland County from the Allegheny County line to Somerset County and forms Westmoreland County’s primary commercial corridor. US 30 offers access to regional business centers such as Greensburg, North Huntington Township and eastern Allegheny County via connections from Interstate 76/70. Minor Arterial Highway Minor arterials link cities, larger towns and other traffic generators to provide integrated interstate and inter-county service. Minor arterials are spaced at proper intervals consistent with population density. Design of the roadway 3.3-4 Joint Comprehensive Plan usually consists of two (2) 12-foot lanes with 8 to 10 foot shoulders and speeds typically ranging from 35 to 45 miles per hours. Minor arterial highways in the Donegal Area are State Route 31 and State Route 711. These routes are the primary routes to and from destinations in Donegal. Most roads in the Donegal Area connect to either State Route 31 or State Route 711. State Route 31 State Route 31 is the primary route for local traffic in Donegal Township. The road runs the spine of the Township and connects neighboring Somerset County and points east through Donegal Township. The road can be split into three segments. Turnpike Interchange West to Mt. Pleasant Township, which has an average daily traffic of 6,995 of which, 12 percent is truck traffic. Turnpike Interchange to the Sarnelli’s Corner (intersection of SR 31 and SR 381/711) has an average daily traffic count of 6,609 and ten percent is classified as truck traffic. Sarnelli’s Corner (intersection of SR 31 and SR 711/381) to the county line experiences an average daily traffic count of 3,777 and nine percent is classified as truck traffic. State Route 31 is the commercial corridor of the Donegal Area and thus is the location for most businesses. As such, State Route 31 has a high number of access points that serve local businesses. Most of these businesses have individual points of ingress and egress creating adjacent yet unconnected parking lots. Such land use patterns create increased points of entry onto the roadway and increased turn movements thereby contributing to potential points of conflicts along the roadway. Large numbers of individual access points or curb cuts runs counter to the stated goals of the Westmoreland County Comprehensive Plan to “Implement planning techniques and enforce development standards that cluster commercial development and discourage the proliferation of curb cuts on commercial highways.” PennDOT has two scheduled intersection improvements for State Route 31. One is near
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Top 10 Bridges by State.Xlsx
    Top 10 Most Traveled U.S. Structurally Deficient Bridges by State, 2015 2015 Year Daily State State County Type of Bridge Location Status in 2014 Status in 2013 Built Crossings Rank 1 Alabama Jefferson 1970 136,580 Urban Interstate I65 over U.S.11,RR&City Streets at I65 2nd Ave. to 2nd Ave.No Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 2 Alabama Mobile 1964 87,610 Urban Interstate I-10 WB & EB over Halls Mill Creek at 2.2 mi E US 90 Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 3 Alabama Jefferson 1972 77,385 Urban Interstate I-59/20 over US 31,RRs&City Streets at Bham Civic Center Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 4 Alabama Mobile 1966 73,630 Urban Interstate I-10 WB & EB over Southern Drain Canal at 3.3 mi E Jct SR 163 Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 5 Alabama Baldwin 1969 53,560 Rural Interstate I-10 over D Olive Stream at 1.5 mi E Jct US 90 & I-10 Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 6 Alabama Baldwin 1969 53,560 Rural Interstate I-10 over Joe S Branch at 0.2 mi E US 90 Not Deficient Not Deficient 7 Alabama Jefferson 1968 41,990 Urban Interstate I 59/20 over Arron Aronov Drive at I 59 & Arron Aronov Dr. Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 8 Alabama Mobile 1964 41,490 Rural Interstate I-10 over Warren Creek at 3.2 mi E Miss St Line Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 9 Alabama Jefferson 1936 39,620 Urban other principal arterial US 78 over Village Ck & Frisco RR at US 78 & Village Creek Structurally Deficient Structurally Deficient 10 Alabama Mobile 1967 37,980 Urban Interstate
    [Show full text]
  • CHAPTER I Purpose and Need
    I - 1 CHAPTER I Purpose and Need A. Introduction On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. The Interstate Highway System, also known as the Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways, is an interconnected system of 45,500 miles (73,225.2 km) of limited-access highways across the United States. One of the most important of these highways is Interstate 70 (I-70), providing for east-west transcontinental interstate access across much of the United States. In August 1956, shortly after President Eisenhower signed the legislation creating the Interstate Highway System, the Missouri State Highway Commission awarded the first contract toward the construction of I-70. Construction continued for another nine years and I-70 now spans a distance of more than 250 miles across the state. Other than short reconstructed portions, the newest sections of I-70 are 39 years old. With maintenance provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the facility has outlasted its original design life of 20 years and has carried traffic volumes of both cars and heavy trucks that have far exceeded the expectations of the original designers. The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) propose improving a portion of the I-70 corridor between just west of Route 19 (milepost 174) and Lake St. Louis Boulevard to meet the current and future needs of this extremely important transportation facility. To facilitate this action, MoDOT has completed a First Tier Environmental Impact Statement and initiated this Second Tier Environmental Impact Statement (STEIS) to fulfill this goal.
    [Show full text]
  • Ide to I-70 Through Southeastern Utah – Discovermoab.Com - 6/22/07 Page 1
    A Guide to I-70 Through Southeastern Utah – discovermoab.com - 6/22/07 Page 1 and increase to Milepost 227 near the Colorado border. Mileage marker posts 2W - Thompson Springs A Guide to I-70 Through (or Mileposts) and Exit numbers Welcome Center Southeastern Utah correspond, and both are used in the Milepost 189 descriptive text which follows. This rest area welcomes westbound Although the scenery is spectacular as visitors with free brochures and maps. viewed from the highway, you are The center, operated by the State of Utah, encouraged to stop at the sites described is open all year. From Memorial Day Moab Area Travel Council below to see even more. Other nearby through Labor Day, personnel are on duty Internet Brochure Series points of interest accessible from 1-70 are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to answer your Available from: briefly noted and located on the map. questions. The rest of the year the center More detailed information on these sights is operated from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Indoor discovermoab.com can be obtained by contacting the rest rooms, water, picnic shelters, and a appropriate agencies listed in this public phone are available at all times. brochure. INTRODUCTION Food and fuel are available at Thompson 1W - Harley Dome View Area Springs (Exit 187), which provides access Interstate 70 (1-70) through southeastern Milepost 228 to a panel of Native American rock art in Utah is a journey through fascinating Sego Canyon. To visit this site, follow the landscapes. The route reveals vast deserts, The Harley Dome View Area is located signs from the north side of town.
    [Show full text]
  • Construction Suspended Where Possible for July 4
    State of Illinois JB Pritzker, Governor Illinois Department of Transportation Omer Osman, Acting Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: July 1, 2020 Paul Wappel 217.685.0082 Maria Castaneda 312.447.1919 Construction suspended where possible for July 4 Non-emergency closures called off, but motorists should still expect work zones SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Fourth of July holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. July 2 to 11:59 p.m. July 5. The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. Work zone speed limits will remain in effect where posted. Please buckle up, put your phone down and drive sober. District 1 City of Chicago: • The following ramps in the Jane Byrne Interchange work zone will remain closed: • o Inbound Kennedy (Interstate 90/94) Expressway exit to inbound Ida B. Wells Drive. o Outbound Dan Ryan Expressway exit to Taylor Street and Roosevelt Road. o Outbound Ida B. Wells Drive entrance from Canal Street. o Outbound Ida B. Wells Drive exit to outbound Dan Ryan. o Outbound Ida B. Wells Drive exit to outbound Kennedy. o Inbound Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate -290) to outbound Kennedy; detour with U-turn posted. o Inbound Eisenhower; lane reductions continue. o Inbound Ida B. Wells Drive; lane reductions continue. • Outbound Kennedy exit at Canfield Road; closed. • Westbound Bryn Mawr Avenue between Harlem and Oriole avenues; lane reductions continue. • Westbound Higgins Avenue between Oriole and Canfield avenues; lane reductions continue.
    [Show full text]
  • Mississippi River Bridge Project, I-70, St. Louis, Missouri
    MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE ST. LOUIS, INTERSTATE 70 St.Louis,Missouri Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Design completed 2003 Project Type: Urban Freeway; Reconstruct PURPOSE The New Mississippi River Bridge Project (MRB) is a group of major transportation improvements designed to enhance the region’s infrastructure. The economic future of the St. Louis urban core on both sides of the Mississippi River depends on the efficient movement of goods and services and the ability of people to simply get to work. Transportation paralysis will force businesses, jobs, andnewgrowthoutoftheurbancore.Animprovedhighwaysystemwillhelp to revitalize downtown St. Louis, the north riverfront, and the Metro East area, notably East St. Louis and the National Stockyards redevelopment area. The number of motorists wanting to cross the Mississippi River will continue to increase.Theregioncannotcontinuetorelyonasingleinterstatecrossingatthe heartofdowntown DESCRIPTION The proposed $700 million structure will feature an estimated 12,000 foot bridge, potentially creating the widest Mississippi River Crossing in the United States. The bridge will carry eight lanes of traffic. The bridge is a critical structure tothe area in order to open economic opportunities to isolated communities on either side of the river. The project includes multi-lane roadways on new alignments, new interchanges, land acquisition on both sides of the river, utility coordination, and the relocation of several railroads. Improvements include 4.2 miles of relocated Interstate 70, 2.7 miles of connector between the Interstate 70 relocation and Interstate 64, and 5.5 miles of relocated Illinois Route 3. A major public engagement program involved the St. Louis community in the project through participation on several aesthetic issues, such as urban design treatments and bridge architecture.
    [Show full text]
  • EHP-Appendix-Q
    Electrify Heartland Plan Appendix Q: EVSE Corridor Analysis Project title: Kansas – Missouri Community Readiness for EV and EVSE Funded by: US DOE DE-EE0005551 By: Metropolitan Energy Center and Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition With: Black & Veatch Electrify Heartland Plan: Appendices Electrify Heartland Plan © 2012 by Metropolitan Energy Center. The material in this report was created and compiled from the work of U.S. DOE award DE- EE0005551: Kansas–Missouri Community Readiness for EV and EVSE. Government agencies, private entities and individuals may use, reproduce or transmit pages from this report for reasonable purposes of planning and implementing electric vehicle and electric vehicle charging station projects, provided that it maintains all copyright, trademark, and other proprietary rights or notices. Users may not otherwise use, reproduce, download, store, post, broadcast, transmit, modify, sell or make available to the public content from the report without the prior written approval of Metropolitan Energy Center. Write to MEC c/o Clean Cities, 3810 Paseo Blvd, Kansas City, MO, or visit www.metroenergy.org. U.S. Department of Energy Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DE-EE0005551. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Lanes Opening Where Possible for Labor Day Travel
    State of Illinois JB Pritzker, Governor Illinois Department of Transportation Omer Osman, Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Sept. 2, 2021 Paul Wappel 217.685.0082 Maria Castaneda 312.447.1919 Lanes opening where possible for Labor Day travel Non-emergency closures suspended, though active work zones across state SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Labor Day holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7. The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through these areas. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and stay alert for workers and equipment. At all times, please buckle up, put your phone down and drive sober District 1 Chicago • Northbound Pulaski Road between 76th and 77th streets; lane reductions continue. • Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) between 67th and 71st streets; lane reductions continue. • The following ramps in the Jane Byrne Interchange work zone will remain closed: o Outbound Ida B. Wells Drive to outbound Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 90/94); detour posted. o Inbound Kennedy (I-90/94) to Jackson Street. o Inbound Kennedy to Adams Street. o Outbound Kennedy from Adams Street. o Outbound Kennedy from Jackson Street. o Outbound Kennedy to Randolph Street. o Outbound Kennedy to Washington Street.
    [Show full text]
  • Setting the Stage: Upgrade Highway 50
    SETTING THE STAGE: UPGRADE HIGHWAY 50 The safety and economic effects of upgrading Highway 50 to four lanes across the state of Missouri take on greater significance in the context of the future rebuild of Interstate 70 and Interstate 44. This is a rare opportunity to get ahead of the curve. An upgraded Highway 50 will provide optimal performance of the roadway system during reconstruction phases of Interstate 70 and Interstate 44 as well as long‐term benefits to be realized by the adjacent communities and the entire state of Missouri. History as a Detour Due to flooding of Routes 63 and 54 near Jefferson City in 1993, a detour route to Jefferson City included Highway 50. During the repairs on the I‐70 Bridge at Rocheport, alternate route signs on I‐70 directed traffic around the bridge south on Route 65 to Route 50 to avoid excessive delays at the bridge. No one anticipated the magnitude of the traffic impacts that recent construction along I‐44 near Rolla would create. When these situations arose, Highway 50 provided needed relief to those travelling within the I‐44 corridor. Successfully reacting to the needs of the motoring public during past construction was the catalyst for proactively creating a comprehensive Incident Management Plan for I‐44 (MoDOT, District 9). Highway 50 is included as part of its network of potential detours. Be Proactive. Highway 50 WILL be a necessary detour during multiple phases of I‐70 and I‐44 reconstruction. SERVING I-70 & I-44 REBUILD HIGHWAY 50 INTO THE FUTURE Traffic Diversion During I‐70 and I‐44 construction, it Economy On average each year, investment in four is projected that up to 10% of all traffic will divert to other lanes on Highway 50 will create 1,550 new jobs paying an routes.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter I Purpose and Need
    I-1 Chapter I Purpose and Need The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) propose improving the Interstate 70 (I-70) Corridor in Missouri, between the metropolitan areas of Kansas City and St. Louis, to meet the current and future needs of the traveling public and business community. To facilitate this action, MoDOT initiated a tiered environmental decision-making process in the Fall of 1999. The First Tier Environmental Impact Statement (First Tier EIS) was completed, with a Record of Decision, in the Fall of 2001. Additional information regarding the First Tier EIS is included in Appendix A. Environmental tiering enables a decision-making process that focuses on corridor-wide issues that must be resolved prior to the detailed environmental review. The First Tier Study decisions frame and narrow the scope of Second Tier Studies and related documents. The First Tier Study produced the following outcomes: • Approval of a general concept (i.e. preferred strategy) for improving I-70, including a prioritization plan for the corridor. The recommended preferred strategy was to widen and reconstruct the existing facility. • Identification of seven Sections of Independent Utility (SIU) for the Second Tier Studies, including an action plan for the completion of the environmental process. • Documentation that can be referenced by the Second Tier Studies to eliminate repetitiveness and record the First Tier decision. • Development of agency and public consensus for the overall improvement plan. The second tier environmental decision-making process (Improve I-70) began immediately after the completion of the First Tier EIS Record of Decision.
    [Show full text]
  • General Directions from Missouri to Parking Garages General Directions
    METRO PINE ST. Bank of ATT ATT Parking Parking America Hyatt Garage Garage (Tower Hotel Wainwright Bld Plaza) 8th & Pine CHESTNUT ST. FROM I-70 MetroLink to Archgrounds Station Gateway Center I Kiener Plaza Gateway Old Courthouse Smith Park Center II Underground Pkg. MARKET ST. MARKET ST. AY MARKET ST. EAST-WEST Welcome to East-West Gateway 7TH ST. GATEWAY GATEWAY Bank of MikeMike UMB Bank Drury TOWER Shannon’sShannon’s Hilton Plaza America RestaurantRestaurant Equitable Bld. KMOX Hotel KMOV BROADW WALNUT ST. WALNUT ST. to Archgrounds A Z A Deloitte Stadium FUTURE PARK Bldg. PL Stadium PARK West 8TH ST. M BALLPARK U East Garage I D Garage METRO VILLAGE A Millennium 9TH ST. T S Hotel CLARK AVE. CLARK AVE. Stadium AY MetroLink CLARK AVE. Station Sheraton Westin STL 4TH ST. Comm. Four Points Gateway Tower MEMORIAL DR. Hotel Glaxo/ MEMORIAL DR. College Hotel Smith/ One Memorial Dr., Ste. 1600 Busch BROADW Kline St. Louis, MO 63102 SPRUCE ST. Stadium SPRUCE ST. Parking 314-421-4220 or 618-274-2750 Pointe 400 8TH ST. Parking 64 Not to Scale General Directions from Missouri to parking garages From Interstate 70 Exit on Memorial Drive in downtown. Make a right on Market Street, left onto Broadway to the Stadium East Garage. From Interstate 64 Exit at 6th St., left on Gratiot, left on 4th St, north four blocks to Stadium East Garage (on left). From Interstate 44 Exit at 7th Street. Right off ramp, left on 7th. North on 7th which jogs onto 8th then jogs onto Stadium Plaza around the stadium, east on either Walnut or Market, south on Broadway, Stadium East Garage is on the left.
    [Show full text]
  • Eastbound I-55/64 Lane Closures Across Poplar Street Bridge Begin April 1
    State of Illinois JB Pritzker, Governor Illinois Department of Transportation Omer Osman, Acting Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: March 24, 2021 Dawn Johnson 618.301.6050 Paul Wappel 217.685.0082 Eastbound I-55/64 lane closures across Poplar Street Bridge begin April 1 COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the three right lanes of eastbound Interstate 55/64, as well as the ramp to southbound Illinois 3 and the ramp to southbound Tudor Avenue in East St. Louis, will close as early as April 1, weather permitting. The closures are necessary to replace the bridge decks on eastbound I-55/64. Lane closures will be in place in this area until early October. The ramp from northbound Piggott Avenue to eastbound I-55/64, which was closed Feb. 22, will remain closed. In Missouri, the Marion Street entrance ramp to northbound Interstate 55 as well as the right lane of northbound I-55 approaching the Poplar Street Bridge will be closed. Interstate 64 will also be reduced to one lane approaching the Poplar Street Bridge. Extensive delays are expected during weekday evening rush hours. The public is urged to plan accordingly and use alternate routes, including the Interstate 70 Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. Carpooling and using public transportation, following public health guidelines, are encouraged as well. Drivers must pay close attention to changing conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. The closures are part of a $29.8 million project, funded by Rebuild Illinois, to rehabilitate the bridges in this area.
    [Show full text]
  • America's Interstate Highway System at 65 Report
    AMERICA’S INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AT 65: Meeting America’s Transportation Needs with a Reliable, Safe & Well-Maintained National Highway Network PHOTO CREDIT: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY JUNE 2021 Founded in 1971, TRIP ® of Washington, DC, is a nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates and distributes economic and technical data on surface transportation issues. TRIP is sponsored by insurance companies, equipment manufacturers, distributors and suppliers; businesses involved in highway and transit engineering and construction; labor unions; and organizations concerned with efficient and safe surface transportation. Executive Summary At sixty-five years old, an age at which many Americans are considering retirement and reduced workloads, the Interstate Highway System is deteriorating, its traffic load of cars and trucks continues to increase, and the system lacks an adequate plan for its long-term health. The Interstate Highway System remains the workhorse of the U.S. transportation system: heavily traveled and providing the most important link in the nation’s supply chain, and the primary connection between and within urban communities. The importance of the Interstate Highway System and the reliable movement of goods it provides was heightened during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recovery. But, America’s Interstate highways are wearing out and showing signs of their advanced age, often heavily congested, and in need of significant reconstruction, modernization and expansion. In 2015, as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the U.S. Congress asked the Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, to conduct a study to determine actions needed to upgrade and restore the Interstate Highway System to fulfill its role of safely and efficiently meeting the nation’s future critical personal, commercial and military travel needs.
    [Show full text]