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Triple S makes a ‘Triple Mess’

Our Opinion: Budget by July 1? Rigid government deadlines less important than results

<p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p><br><style>
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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is encouraging holiday commuters to be safe as they travel on the Turnpike.</p><p>The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) expects about 2.8 million vehicles to be traveling the Turnpike over the Independence Day holiday. That figure is up from the 2.7 vehicles anticipated last year.</p><p>The heaviest traveled day is expected to be Thursday, with nearly 700,000 vehicles predicted to be on the Turnpike. With that volume of traffic expected on the roadway, the PTC is asking motorists to stay alert and be aware of distracted drivers over the holiday.</p><p>In preparation for the surge of traffic, Turnpike maintenance and construction crews plan to maximize the use of the roadway by opening all available lanes to traffic beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday through 6 a.m. on Tuesday except in the case of emergencies.</p><p>In the event of emergency-lane closures, the Turnpike will activate its Variable Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radio to alert motorists.</p><p>&#8220;We will have additional maintenance personnel on duty to patrol the Turnpike, help with debris removal and assist with any emergencies that may occur,&#8221; says PTC chief executive officer Mark Compton. &#8220;With our men and women out there on the roadway, we are urging motorists to pay attention and drive safely.&#8221;</p><p>As the holiday traffic increases, so will the patrols by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), which plans to have troopers out enforcing speed limit and no-texting laws.</p><p>&#8220;Our troopers will be on the roadway watching for aggressive drivers,&#8221; said Lt. Edward C. Murphy of Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, the unit in charge of Turnpike patrols. &#8220;Speeding and texting will not be tolerated either, so motorists need to obey posted speed limits and stay alert.&#8221;</p><p>To promote safe driving during the Independence Day holiday, the Turnpike is sponsoring a &#8220;Safety Break&#8221; event at the South Midway Service Plaza located on the eastbound Turnpike just past the Bedford Exit (#146) in Bedford County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 2. Information about the Turnpike and its preferred traveler programs will available, and Turnpike staff will be on hand to answer questions.</p>

Pennsylvania Turnpike commuters are encouraged to slow down, be alert on holiday travels