PennDOT Preparing for Summer Roadwork

Here come those dreaded orange barrels again.

With construction season upon us, the  and state police are warning motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving through work zones.

While speaking this morning near a construction zone along Route 28 in Pittsburgh, PennDOT District 11 Executive Director Dan Cessna said drivers must follow posted speed limits, turn on headlights and avoid distractions.

District 11, which oversees work in Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties, expects to spend $216 million this year on road and bridge improvements in Allegheny County. Cessna urged motorists to be flexible as traffic patterns change and commutes become longer.

“I can’t overstate patience,” Cessna said in a press conference to kick off PennDOT's Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.

According to state statistics, 10 people died in 894 work zone accidents on District 11 roadways in the past three years. Statewide, 68 people have died in nearly 5,000 work zone crashes during that period.

State police Lt. Tom Dubovi said traffic backups can sometimes lead to multiple accidents when drivers aren’t paying attention to the road

“Be aware, be safe and slow down,” Dubovi said.

He reminded drivers to turn on their headlights in work zones and to change lanes when emergency vehicles and construction trucks are parked along the side of the road. He added that traffic fines in work zones are doubled.

“It can be scary at times (for construction workers) because there’s nowhere to run,” Dubovi said.

Local PennDOT construction projects this summer include: 

•  A $1.5 million bridge preservation project that will begin this spring and continue into the fall on the Interstate 376 Business Route bridge over Campbell's Run Road. Drivers should expect only minor delays during construction. 
• Crews will be performing minor repairs to complete the ongoing $20.8 million project to improve the Interstate 79 Neville Island Bridge and Route 65 interchange through Neville and Robinson townships.