Headaches Grow with Highway Construction Boom

Stimulus money's being used to fix as many roads as possible

By VINCE LATTANZIO

Updated 6:27 AM EST, Tue, Aug 18, 2009

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Feel like every time you get onto the highway lately, all you see is orange cones and flashing yellow lights?

You're not alone. Extensive roadway improvement projects on many of the area's major roads have drivers loading up on Advil as their traffic headaches grow.

More than 150 projects are currently underway in the Delaware Valley, all thanks to increased funding from the government's economic stimulus plan. In the Keystone State, PennDOT is spending twice the amount of money this year than last.

Crews are replacing the roadway along the Vine Street Expressway (I-676), bridge reconstruction is underway along the Blue Route (I-476) and there are 10 construction zones on I-95.

In New Jersey, work is underway to replace the Marlton Circle -- where routes 70 and 73 meet -- sending one roadway over the other to help alleviate congestion. Interstate 295 also has various reconstruction zones bringing the six-lane highway to only one lane in each direction at night.

The bulk of construction activity is limited to nighttime, but that doesn't stop drivers from slowing down during peak times like rush hour.

Even projects like the South Street Bridge replacement is having an adverse effect on the roads. The project seldomly touches the highway below, but gawkers continue to slow down as they watch workers place rebar and pour concrete. This gaper delay causes traffic to pile up in both east and westbound.

So what's the solution? "I will go out of my way -- 10, 20 miles sometimes -- just to avoid sitting in traffic," said one driver who stopped to fill up at a Jersey gas station. "I'm burning more gas, but it sure beats just sitting and crawling along."

If taking the long way isn't for you, then be prepared to grit your teeth and crawl in bumper-to-bumper traffic like you've never crawled before as you daydream about the shiny new roadways being built just for you -- with your money.

Maybe now's a good time for you to splurge on that hybrid you've been eyeing.

Find trouble traffic spots near you with our interactive traffic maps.