Penndot News You Can Use

Sign Up Online For Organ Donation

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reminds driver’s license or identification card holders they can register online to become organ donors via its driver and vehicle services Web site.

"In the past, most citizens waited until their driver’s license or identification card was due for renewal, which is every four years, before they considered adding the organ donor designation," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "With the online service, in a mere 90 seconds, individuals can say 'yes' to organ donation and have the potential to save or enhance many lives."

To add the organ donor designation to a driver's license or identification card online, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and select the Online Services link, which provides the option to add the organ donor designation. Once the organ donor designation is added, individuals will receive a confirmation card, which must be carried with them until the time of their driver’s license or identification card renewal.

Currently, 44 percent of driver's license and identification card holders are registered organ donors – more than 4 million Pennsylvanians. More than 1,400 individuals have used the online service to add the organ donor designation since its inception in 2006.

Driver's license and identification card holders, as well as registered vehicle owners, can also support organ donation programs by donating $1 to the Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund at the time of application and/or renewal. Proceeds from the fund are used to educate the public about organ donation programs and processes through non-profit organizations like the Center for Organ Recovery and Education and Gift of Life. Since 1995, Pennsylvanians have generously donated more than $6 million to the fund.

For more information on organ donation in Pennsylvania, visit www.donatelife-pa.org.

Area Roadwork

Cumberland County - Construction crews have resumed repair work on a series of bridges on the I-81 corridor in eastern Cumberland County. Traffic shifts will have been set on the I-81 southbound ramp to Route 581 eastbound, the Route 581 westbound ramp to I-81 southbound in Hampden Township and on the structures that carry northbound and southbound Route 11/15 over I-81 in East Pennsboro Township.

Crews will remove and replace bridge expansion dams, repair the bridge deck and subsequently apply a latex wearing surface over the next several months. This work is part of a contract that began in June of 2007 to repair 13 bridges over I-81 and one bridge over Route 11/15 in eastern Cumberland County. PennDOT has contracted with G.A. & F. C. Wagman, Inc. of York, to conduct the repairs at a cost of $8,613,074. The overall project should be completed by the end of July 2009.

The bridge work in this contract is not expected to have a significant impact on mainline I-81 traffic. If it is necessary to restrict traffic on the interstate for bridge painting or other repairs, these traffic restrictions will occur in the evening between 9 p.m.–6 a.m. As for the remaining I-81overhead bridges; Bernhiesel Bridge Road and Rich Valley Road will require closures and traffic detours later this summer and the others will involve shifting traffic to one side of the bridge while repairs are made.

Altogether, the 14 bridges scheduled for repair in this construction contract are listed below, along with the traffic impact and allotted time associated with repairing each bridge:

• I-81 southbound ramp to Route 581 eastbound in Hampden Township – Single-lane traffic restriction until July as crews replace expansion dams, repair the bridge deck and apply a latex wearing surface,
• Route 581 westbound ramp to I-81 southbound in Hampden Township – Traffic lanes will be shifted until July as crews replace expansion dams, repair the bridge deck and apply a latex wearing surface,
• Route 11/15 northbound over I-81 in East Pennsboro Township – Traffic lanes will be shifted until the end of October as crews replace expansion dams, repair the bridge deck and apply a latex wearing surface,
• Route 11/15 southbound over I-81 in East Pennsboro Township – Traffic lanes will be shifted until the end of October as crews replace expansion dams, repair the bridge deck and apply a latex wearing surface,
• Bernhiesel Bridge Road over I-81 in Silver Spring Township – Bridge will be closed for two months later this summer,
• Rich Valley Road (SR 1009) over I-81 in Silver Spring Township – Bridge will be closed for three months later this summer,
• Good Hope Road (SR 1013) over northbound I-81 in Hampden Township – Traffic lanes will be shifted for 3½ months,
• Tower Road over I-81 in East Pennsboro Township – Bridge deck repairs were completed last summer and bridge painting is scheduled for this summer,
• Bella Vista Drive over Route 11/15 in East Pennsboro Township – Bridge deck repairs were completed last summer and bridge painting is scheduled for this summer,
• Miller Street over I-81 in East Pennsboro Township – Bridge deck repairs were completed last summer,
• Sample Bridge Road over I-81 in Silver Spring Township – Bridge deck repairs were completed last summer,
• Locust Point Road (SR 1007) over I-81 in Silver Spring Township — Bridge deck repairs were completed last summer.

Dauphin County/Lebanon County - Construction crews are working nights on a project to improve the ride quality and pavement longevity of I-81 north of Harrisburg in Dauphin and Lebanon counties. The diamond grinding and concrete slab repair operation started in the northbound left lane of I-81 just north of the Exit 70 interchange with I-83 in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County.

Motorists are advised of nighttime single-lane restrictions on I-81 north of Harrisburg throughout the spring and summer

Diamond grinding is an operation used to smooth rough sections of concrete, improve ride quality and ultimately prolong the life of the pavement. Construction crews anticipate work to progress in the northbound left lane on I-81, one to one-and-one-half miles each evening, from just north of the interchange with I-83 to the interchange with I-78 in Lebanon County, continuing in the eastbound left lane on I-78 to the Lebanon/Berks County Line. Once this phase of the project is complete crews will turn around and work in the left lane of westbound I-78 progressing through the interchange to southbound I-81. Nighttime diamond grinding operations on I-78 are scheduled so as not to interfere with the I-78 bridge repairs that get underway this week.

Approximately 29,250 to 46,000 vehicles travel these sections of northbound I-81 on a daily basis. Motorists are strongly encouraged to allow additional time in their travel plans or seek alternate routes in order to avoid delays.

PennDOT has contracted with Knish Corp. of Faribault, Minn., to repair and improve the ride quality on an 18.5-mile section of I-81 and an eight-mile stretch of I-78 at a cost of $3,532,591. The entire project is scheduled to be finished by the end of October.

Lancaster County - Construction crews have started a project to repair and resurface a three-mile stretch of Route 897 from the intersection with Route 272 in the Village of Swatrzville to the intersection with Ridge Road at the East Cocalico/West Cocalico Township Line in northern Lancaster County.

Motorists are advised they may encounter single-lane traffic restrictions with flaggers assisting them through the work zone on weekdays during daylight hours. Motorists are encouraged to allow additional time in their travel plans or seek alternate routes in order to avoid delays. Sections of Route 897, known locally as Swartzville Road, average between 6,000 and 7,900 vehicles traveled per day.

On June 5, once school lets out for summer, crews will close a portion of Route 897 at the northern end of the project and begin work to replace two pre-cast box culverts. Motorists will be directed around the road closure by way of Smoketown Road, Reinholds Road and Ridge Road.

PennDOT has contracted with McMinn’s Asphalt of Lancaster, to conduct the highway improvement project on Route 897 at a cost of $2,622,115. The project consists of the replacement of two box culverts, shoulder widening, drainage and road base repairs, milling (i.e., removal of the old asphalt surface), pavement resurfacing and markings. The entire project is scheduled to be finished by November.

Current Travel Articles Antarctica Yes, all the way south there really is a place of where penguins preen their chicks in breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. Here, too, giant humpback..... Corning, NY Families, couples and groups of all generations will find everything from beautiful serenity to outdoor adventure when they experience carefree vacations in Corning and the Finger Lakes region of New York...... Member Appreciation Cruise When you cruise to the "Cradle of Civilization," there’s a natural tendency to be more, well, civilized. The world’s largest inland sea encircles three millennia of art, culture and history..... Members Get Great Rates "While no hotel or travel company can claim it offers the best rate every time, AAA.com visitors are much more likely to find a better rate than visitors to Orbitz or Expedia," said AAA President and CEO Bob Darbelnet...... Online Reviews Travelers can post and read reviews of AAA lodgings, restaurants, destinations and attractions on AAA.com. Reviews appear in the TourBook information pages in the Travel section of AAA.com, along with...... Hollywood Casino at Penn National If you read the papers, listen to the radio, see billboards or watch TV, you are aware we now have a casino known as Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racetrack.... Steuben County Cities are great. But sometimes you need to go someplace where all the stars are visible; where you don't have to fight for a seat on the bus or a spot on a crowded highway during rush hour; where business decisions are discussed over dinner and not in front of a boardroom of investors.....

Current Financial Articles Gift Cards It’s a joyous time of year, full of hope and love. We celebrate young graduates entering a new phase in life; share the joy of newlyweds joining in wedded bliss; and honor mom and dad on their special days......

Current Insurance Articles Avoiding Accidents Speed is often a major factor in accidents. However, not all accidents occur because of speed and not all accidents can be prevented. Many accidents can be prevented, and you can possibly minimize the damage...... Insuring Students Sons and daughters soon will head off to college. Along with books, computers and dorm room furnishings, parents should ensure that their children are equipped with proper insurance coverage as they start off on this...... New AAA Insurance Agency The Mechanicsburg/Silver Spring Branch of AAA Central Penn has recently opened an Insurance Agency to fulfill all of your insurance needs. Agent Karen Brandt of Cumberland County will be at the office Mondays......