Old Man Winter may be long gone, but his impact is still being felt throughout the region. PennDOT is still working to repair potholes and damaged roads caused by the harsh winter weather.
“I’d say we’re 70 percent complete,” said PennDOT spokesman Eugene Blaum.
The brutal winter littered roads across the area with potholes, causing headaches and plenty of flat tires for thousands of drivers. Up and down temperatures as well as precipitation that froze and then thawed in roadway cracks caused an outbreak during the winter. PennDOT officials said the number of reported potholes in January was 40% higher than normal. By the end of March, Pennsylvania spent $34.4 million on winter-related repairs and maintenance.
Earlier this year, Governor Tom Corbett announced that more than $2.1 billion in highway and bridge projects would begin in 2014 through Act 89, the state’s new transportation funding law. According to PennDOT the law increased their construction budget by $600 million.
“A number of roads that were badly damaged this winter are being or will be resurfaced this year throughout the region thanks to funding from Act 89,” Blaum said. “This includes City Avenue and Route 309 in Montgomery County which are already done. Work is underway on US 30 in Chester County and Rt. 309 in Bucks County. Work is just starting on I-95 in Delaware County and Philly, and soon will begin on a number of other state roads. In all we will resurface 100 miles of rough pavement in Southeastern Pennsylvania this year due to these new transportation funds.”
Blaum says more pothole work will begin this week in King of Prussia. Overnight lane restrictions will start Monday on southbound and northbound Interstate 95 near the Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) Interchange in Tinicum Township, Delaware County for pavement milling. PennDOT’s contractor will also work Monday through Friday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to remove I-95’s deteriorated riding surface near the Route 420 Interchange, according to Blaum.
