AAA Projects 1.2 Percent Increase in Memorial Day Travel as Americans Stay Closer to Home
AAA projects 34.8 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, an increase of 1.2 percent – or 500,000 travelers – from the 34.3 million people who traveled one year ago. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 24 to Monday, May 28.
Roadside “Service Patrols” Returning on I-95 in New Hampshire
Motorists stranded with minor vehicle problems on Interstate 95 from Portsmouth to Seabrook will soon find help. Beginning Friday, May 18, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is once again introducing “service patrols” for the summer on I-95, from the Massachusetts state line to Exit 7 during early morning and afternoon commuting hours. The goal is to reduce the potential for significant traffic tie-ups by clearing minor incidents, such as flat tires, charging a battery, or vehicle overheating, as quickly as possible.
The service patrol’s three-month pilot project last year during the I-95 peak summer traffic season was a success. The NHDOT’s Bureau of Turnpikes is continuing the service this summer. A new truck for improved motorist assistance will have a built-in air compressor, jumper cables, push bar, and various storage boxes to hold tools and accessories such as gas cans. Turnpike personnel will make continuous loops between Exit 60 in Salisbury, Massachusetts and Exit 7 in Portsmouth, stopping for all incidents or stopped vehicles encountered. The service patrols will operate during early morning (5:30 am to 8:00 am) and late afternoon (3:30 pm to 7:00 pm) hours Monday through Friday. Friday afternoon’s shift will run from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays, and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sundays. Extra coverage may be added on holidays and for special events.
Minor incidents like flat tires and running out of fuel on a congested highway have the potential to cause secondary incidents, which are typically more serious in nature. Service patrols can help reduce the potentially significant impacts of otherwise minor incidents by lending assistance to stranded motorists. This service should improve safety along the corridor.
The service patrols will communicate with the NHDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) in Concord, which has direct contact with State Police and other emergency responders. Those in need of minor roadside assistance can also call the TMC at 271-6TMC (271-6862).
Studies have shown that even minor incidents on the shoulder of a busy highway can have a significant impact on lane capacity, vehicle speeds, and driver safety because drivers tend to shy away from fixed or still objects near the travel way.
Construction to Reduce I-90 Westbound to One Lane in South Dakota
RAPID CITY – South Dakota Department of Transportation officials say westbound traffic on Interstate 90 near Piedmont will be reduced to one lane from about 1 mile west of Exit 52 to Exit 44 on Monday, May 14, for construction.
Ohio I-90 Interchange to Open Late 2012
(Avon) – You can’t miss the construction if you drive I-90 around Avon. Work is well underway on the new Nagel Road-Interstate 90 interchange. Now we get word that it could be opened for traffic by the end of this year. The $18 million project …
California I-80 Lane Closures Ahead for Truck Scales Project
Starting Monday, crews will prepare for construction by installing safety barriers and adding temporary traffic striping along eastbound I-80 between the weigh station exit and the eastbound Highway 12 and eastbound I-80 interchange, according …
Nevada I-80: Everyone’s Least Favorite Drive For A Few More Months
And accidents on these narrow crowded lanes, mean backups, delays and more accidents. The construction creates its own challenges. Everyone agrees one problem are the short merges. If you’ve been driving Reno freeways for any length of time you’re used to …
Georgia to Bid I-75/I-575 Construction Project
Georgia officials are getting ready for bids on a project to build optional toll lanes along Interstates 75 and 575. The project to build optional lanes in Cobb and Cherokee counties is expected cost roughly $1 billion. The Atlanta Journal …
Memorial Day Weekend to Open Summer Getaway Season
We have our own holiday tradition: On the Sunday before the Memorial Day weekend, we use the Metro section’s Commuter page to set up a summer getaway guide. I describe some of the best known routes out of the D.C. region and add some of your suggestions about alternatives.
I-95 Carpool Rules Ending in Southern Florida
Carpool restrictions will be permanently removed from I-95 between Sunrise Boulevard and Miami Gardens Drive starting May 21. Officials say the change is necessary for express lanes construction.
Maine Outlines Summer Highway Agenda Including I-95
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine transportation officials say the summer highway improvement agenda includes nearly $56 million for 36 new highway construction projects.
In addition, $37 million will go to bridges, with $25 million for 15 new bridge construction projects, and nearly $10 million for three existing bridge projects awaiting bidding.
Officials say that this summer and fall, construction crews throughout the state will be digging, paving and building.
Some of the projects will include Interstate 295 bridge deck work in Portland, the Falmouth-Portland Martins Point Bridge, road construction on Route 1 in Van Buren, highway paving on I-95 in Newburgh-Plymouth, paving on Route 1 in Wells and paving on Route 9 and Route 202 in Unity-Dixmont.
Officials say the projects will employ hundreds of workers.