The WKOK Road Report
10 minutes before the hour, each weekday, during your morning commute, on Newsradio 1070 WKOK


Central Susquehanna Valley Roadwork

Click here for PennDOT's local Travelers Advisories and News Releases

WHITE DEER -- Tuesday (05/13): On Rt. 15, Just north of I-80 in Union County, southbound traffic on Rt. 15 bridge will be switched to the other lane during the mid-morning hours.  Traffic switch on northbound lanes is expected Thursday (05/15) morning.

MUNCY -- On Muncy Creek Bridge between Munch and Hughesville, a detour will be in place starting Wednesday (05/14) at Lime Bluff Road and Rt. 405 intersection.  Traffic going the soccer field will use detour, which includes Chippewa Road and East Lime Bluff Road.  Detour will last until the end of May.

FREEBURG -- A bridge replacement project is underway along Route 35, west of Freeburg.  A temporary signal is activated and traffic is restricted to one lane.  Red Bank Road is closed at that location.  The full bridge replacement project will be finished in November.

HERNDON -- A bridge carrying Route 147 over Mahanoy Creek, north of Herndon, is undergoing repairs. Traffic is restricted to a single lane, with temporary traffic signals controlling the flow. The work will be done in July.

FAXON -- Between Williamsport and Montoursville on I-180, eastbound traffic is down to a single lane.  Westbound traffic has two lanes. Motorists are advised to pay close attention to the work zone signing for exiting at Faxon or Third Street/ Warrensville Road.

DUNDORE -- A few miles west of Dundore, Snyder County rehabilitation is underway on Silver Creek Bridge. Silver Creek Road between Produce Road and Red Hill Road will be detoured using Produce Road, Verdilla Road and Red Hill Road. Detour will be in place until the end of May.

MIDDLEBURG -- On Rt. 522 near Rt. 104 in Middleburg, a steel bridge is being replaced, flaggers alternate traffic through the one lane construction zone.  There are occasional lane restrictions and flagging now, and soon, a detour will be posted. That bridge project should be finished in August.

HUGHESVILLE/MUNCY -- The Route 405 Bridge replacement project is progressing in the Muncy/Hughesville area. There are lane changes, daytime flagging and occasional delays. The work will be complete this summer.

IOLA -- A bridge replacement project is continuing on the Route 442 bridge, near Iola, in Columbia County. A temporary roadway is in place. Completion is scheduled for mid-October

MILLVILLE -- Two miles east of Millville, removal of the bridge on Rt. 254 is underway. Motorists will be detoured to a newly constructed temporary roadway.  Watch for flaggers directing traffic. This project will be finished in early July.

BERWICK -- On I-80 Eastbound, repairs have started on the Susquehanna River Bridge between Exits 241 (Berwick/Lime Ridge) and 242 (Mifflinville). Single lane conditions will continue until July. Route 11 south off ramp at Exit 241 is closed for repairs.

DANVILLE -- A Route 54 paving project is continuing in Danville, A repaving project Route 11 to Interstate 80  will mean single lane traffic 24/7 in each direction for several months. This work will be finished in August.

WHITE DEER -- A bridge repair project is underway on Route 15, just north of I-80. The bridge carries Route 15 over Deitrich road. Traffic will be restricted to a single 14-wide lane in the north and southbound lanes. That would should be finished by July.

HUMMELS WHARF -- The contractor working at Monroe Marketplace in Monroe Township, Snyder County is conducting night work on Routes 11-15. Work takes place from weeknights, starting 7 p.m.-6 a.m. The work will allow the installation of two new traffic signals. This work will continue until July.

SHAMOKIN -- Rehabilitation of a bridge between Bottle Plant Road and West Penn Ave.  will require a closure of that bridge.  Signed detour will use West Penn Ave, Rt. 54 and Rt. 487.  Worked to be finished by the end of June.

PENNS CREEK -- Weight restriction now posted on Richard Road bridge near Penn Creek in Centre Township, Snyder County.  A maximum of 30 tons is allowed due to bridge deterioration.

 Pennsylvania's Work Zone Rules
Here is what the motoring public might expect to see with the new traffic control requirements that were enacted in 2006:
  1. + "Work Area Ahead" signs will be phased out and replaced with "Road Work Ahead" signs.
  2. + Most daylight flagging operations will now require an additional sign reading "One- Lane Road Ahead" on each work zone approach.
  3. + Additional signing will be required for daylight lane closures on divided and one-way highways.  (Right-lane or left-lane ends symbol signs)
  4. + "Utility Work Ahead", "Survey Crew" and "Bridge Inspection Ahead" signs may be used in place of the "Road Work Ahead" signs, where appropriate.
  5. + "Stop Ahead" and "Yield Ahead" signs will be phased out and replaced with symbol signs.

Motorists may also begin to see warning signs that are "pink" which will be used for emergency responses.

- As always, Penn DOT strongly urges motorists to pay full attention to their driving when approaching and passing through any highway work zone.  Obey the posted speed limit.  Refrain from tailgating.  Be alert to the possibility of slow-moving or stopped traffic ahead.  Bring along some relaxing music to listen to.  Plan extra time for your travels.  Always buckle up.

- All motorists are required to travel with their headlights turned on in all posted work zones, not just active workzones. It is necessary for drivers in vehicles with daytime running lights to turn on their headlights in order to activate their taillights. The penalty for driving without lit headlights in a posted work zone is $25. This is a secondary law; therefore individuals are subject to the fine only if convicted for another violation of the vehicle code.

-- Interstate work zones with a project cost exceeding $300,000 will have a speed-monitoring device to alert motorists of their speed prior to entering the work zone.

-- Active work zones must be designated as such to notify motorists when they enter and leave the work zone. A white flashing light attached to the "Active Work Zone When Flashing" sign will indicate an active work zone. The flashing light will only be activated when workers are present and turned off when workers are not present.

-- Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically will lose their license for 15 days.

-- Fines for certain traffic violations – including speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices – are doubled for active work zones. Also, the law provides for up to five years of additional jail time for individuals convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash that occurred in an active work zone.

-- Don't let your friends drive drunk and DO appoint a designated driver. Remember--party hosts are often held liable for drunk driving accidents which follow parties.

 Winter Driving Advice
 

PennDOT is advising motorists to be alert to the possibility of snow squalls. Motorists need to be alert for squalls since they can quickly cause roads to become snow-covered and slick. In addition, heavy squalls can also cause whiteout conditions, virtually eliminating a driver’s visibility.

If motorists encounter snow squalls while traveling, PennDOT offers these suggestions:
-- Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions. 
-- Turn on your headlights. 
-- Stay in your lane. 
-- Increase your following distance.
-- Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.
-- Reduce in-car distractions since your full attention is required. 
-- Use defroster and wipers. 
-- Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
-- During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely get as far off the road as possible or when there is a safe area to do so.
-- Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could create a chain-reaction collision. 
-- Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
-- Always buckle up and never drink and drive.

PennDOT reminds motorists of a new law requiring drivers the removal of all snow and ice from vehicles. There are severe fines if snow or ice that falls from their vehicle causes serious injury or death to other motorists or pedestrians.

The law states, "When snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury, the operator of the vehicle from which the snow or ice came is subject to a fine of $200 to $1,000 for each offense."

When driving during inclement weather, drivers should increase space between their vehicle and the vehicles ahead to allow for increased stopping distances, particularly on snow or ice covered roads.

Drivers are reminded to allow plenty of space around an operating snowplow and never attempt to get between several snowplows plowing side-by-side in a “plow train.” Plow trains are used on interstates and other limited access roads to clear as much of the road as possible in one pass.

Now is the time to prepare vehicles for winter weather to help avoid breakdowns. Motorists should have a mechanic check their vehicles’ battery, belts and hoses, heater and defroster, tires and anti-freeze level. Additionally, motorists should regularly check their wipers, lights, fluid levels and tire air pressure.

Among the items motorists should consider keeping in their vehicles if they expect to be far from home in extreme conditions are non-perishable food, a cellular telephone, water, a heavy blanket, a shovel, a warm hat, gloves, boots, a tow rope or chain, jumper cables, a bag of sand, portable cell phone charger and a brightly colored flag or other piece of material.

If motorists become stranded, they should stay in their vehicles and only run their engines and heaters every half hour, or so. Make sure tailpipes are clear and keep downwind windows open for fresh air. They should also tie a brightly colored flag onto the highest point of your vehicle to help rescuers locate them. PennDOT also recommends that travelers carry a cellular phone for safety.