Council Created in Response to Increased Number of Motorcycle Crashes

There were nearly 4,000 motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania last year.

The Greater Pittsburgh Motorcycle Safety Council was just created in response to the increased number of motorcycle crashes occurring regionally. According to PennDOT data, there were nearly 4,000 motorcycle crashes in Pennsylvania last year. Tragically, 210 people lost their lives in those crashes In District 11, which encompasses Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties, there were 429 motorcycle crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities in 2012. With the growing number of licensed motorcyclists statewide, the council is charged with raising safety awareness among motorists and motorcyclists. The organization is comprised of motorcycle groups, local police officers and safety advocates. Representatives from the Greater Pittsburgh Motorcycle …

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Long-Term Lane Closings Begin Monday on Route 65

PennDOT is set to begin a $6.3 million improvement project.

PennDOT plans to begin a $6.3 million project to improve Route 65, or Ohio River Boulevard, starting on Monday, May 20. According to PennDOT, crews will be improving drainage, milling and paving.   To allow initial work to occur, southbound traffic will be shifted to the northbound lanes of Route 65 from Camp Horne Road in Emsworth to Locust Street in Avalon. Work to start the shift will begin at 8 p.m. on Monday evening.  One 10-foot wide lane will be maintained in each direction in this area around-the-clock for the duration of the project. Join Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter. Check out some of today's other top stories here.

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State Rep. Mark Mustio

Rep. Mustio: Legislation Introduced to Abolish PA Turnpike Commission

State Rep. Mark Mustio, R-Moon, shares news with his constituents in this week's 'Updates from Harrisburg.'

Following a 44-month grand jury investigation revealing untold millions of public dollars being squandered through “pay-to-play” corruption, political patronage and a lack of competitive bidding, legislation has been introduced in the state House to abolish the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.  House Bill 1197 would transfer all operations, maintenance, construction and other responsibilities for the turnpike to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in an effort to streamline government and enhance efficiency. If enacted, this legislation would require PennDOT to honor any collective bargaining agreement in existence between the Turnpike Commission and any employee organization. The bill also would assign debt of the outstanding …

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Road in Sewickley Heights Closing for Improvements

PennDOT plans road paving in the borough.

A section of Audubon Road in Sewickley Heights will be closed Thursday, April 25 while crews are performing paving work. The road will be closed 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Fern Hollow Road to Little Sewickley Creek Road to allow for the road work. Motorists are advised to use caution, slow down and anticipate changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area.   Signs will be posted to guide motorists around the area. The following detour will be posted: Northbound on Audubon Road Fern Hollow Road to southbound Audubon Road

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PennDOT Plans Weekly Maintenance Work in the Sewickley Area

Crews will begin the work on Monday, weather permitting

PennDOT crews will be performing maintenance work in the Sewickley area this week. Work will occur Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19, weather permitting. Here's a look at where crews will be working: Lane closures and restrictions should be expected in work areas. To report roadway concerns on state routes and interstates call 1-800-FIX-ROAD.  Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter Check out some of today's other top stories here.

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PennDOT: Route 65 Daytime Work Planned from Sewickley to Beaver County

The work is scheduled to begin tomorrow.

PennDOT plans daytime work on Thursday and Friday along Route 65 from Sewickley to the Beaver County line. Jim Struzzi, PennDOT spokesman, said because this work is temperature sensitive, it cannot be performed at night.  The work is part of a $5.1 million project to improve Route 65, or Ohio River Boulevard, between Chestnut Street and Beaver County. The work will occur on Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5. Crews will be performing signal work to install pavement loop sensors in various locations. Short-term single lane closures will occur as needed between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. PennDOT also resumed work Monday night, April 1 in the same area on Route 65. One lane is open in each direction as needed while work is performed …

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Traffic Advisory: Route 65 Research Planned for Future Improvements

The research and drilling work will occur this week.

PennDOT plans to conduct geotechnical drilling and research for future improvements on Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard). According to James Struzzi, PennDOT spokesman, the work will occur on Wednesday, April 3 and Thursday, April 4 weather permitting. Crews will be performing pavement core drilling operations between Interstate 79 in Glenfield and Chestnut Street in Sewickley. Lane closures will occur in various locations as needed both days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect changing traffic patterns. Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter Check out some of today's other top stories here.

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Route 65 Improvements to Continue from Sewickley to Beaver County

The improvements are part of a $5.1 million project started 2012.

Work to improve Route 65 between Chestnut Street in Sewickley and the Beaver County line will resume Monday night, April 1. One lane will be open in each direction as needed while work is performed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The project is expected to last through late April. The improvements are part of a $5.1 million project started 2012. Remaining work includes curb installation, pavement markings, drainage and other minor improvements. The overall 4.5 mile project, set to conclude this spring, involved milling and resurfacing, drainage, guide rail, curbing, signs, signals, structure repairs and other improvements in Emsworth, Sewickley, Edgeworth, Leetsdale and Ambridge. Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter Check out some of today's …

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Driving Detour: Sewickey Bridge Sees Increased Traffic

Police said the first day for the detour went just as authorities imagined.

The area of Route 65 and the Sewickley Bridge experienced more congestion on Monday than usual, but nothing beyond what police expected. “Traffic increased like we imagined,” said Sewickley Police Chief James Ersher. Ersher said there were no major incidents to report on Monday, the first day of the long-term closure of the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge. PennDOT expects the bridge to remain closed through November as crews work to complete repairs. Signage posted along Route 65 notifies travelers that the Sewickley Bridge is the designated detour. Ersher said police will be stationed at the bridge during peak hours until the end of the week. After that, he suggests that motorists plan accordingly. "If people have major issues, they're going to…

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Sewickley Police Plan Traffic Control when Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge Closes

The nearby bridge is expected to remain closed for several months as part of a two-year repair project. The Sewickley Bridge is again the designated detour.

When the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge shuts down for repairs on March 4, Sewickley police plan to have a presence on the Route 65 side of the Sewickley Bridge. Sewickley Police Chief James Ersher said officers will assist with traffic control  during the first week of the closure at the Sewickley Bridge, designated again as an official detour. PennDOT has authorized to pay for the extra manpower, he said. "We expect the same congestion we did last time," Ersher said. "Hopefully everybody will do what they did last time and find their alternative routes." The Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge is expected to remain closed until October 2013  as part of a two-year $16.6-million repair project. Crews are performing steel repairs under the bridge deck …

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