News

Highway safety bill advances to governor’s desk

A bill designed to improve highway safety in active work zones recently advanced the state Senate and is headed to Gov. Tom Wolf to be signed into law.

The bill authorizes the use of automated speed enforcement systems (ASES) in active work zones along federal funded highways under the jurisdiction of the Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

When construction workers and an ASES are present, a driver who exceeds the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour will receive a written warning for the first offense, a $75 fine for the second offense and a $150 fine for subsequent offenses.

There will be at least two warning signs before entering the active work zone, indicating whether the ASES is active.

“This issue started back in 2014 when we met with transportation leaders in Berks County about the challenges of work zone safety with the increased number of construction projects coupled with the limited availability of State Police coverage,” Sen. David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), a co-sponsor of the bill, said. “Since then, we’ve heard from family members of highway workers who fear the lives of their loved ones. We heard it loud and clear: protect the lives of workers and that’s what this bill will do.”

Melina Druga

Recent Posts

Vision RNG expands leadership team

Canonsburg-based Vision RNG, a developer, owner, and operator of landfill gas to renewable natural gas…

3 hours ago

Bethlehem startup wins Ben Franklin Northeast’s Venture Idol

On Monday, Bethlehem-based Ilico Genetics was named the winner of Ben Franklin Northeast’s Venture Idol.…

3 hours ago

Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread expanding Franklin County facility

Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread, a bread and rolls manufacturer, plans to invest $123.2…

3 hours ago

Ohio company purchases Prism Technologies

Ohio-based Hyperion Materials & Technologies, a materials science company developing advanced hard and super-hard materials,…

1 day ago

DEP launches pilot program for construction stormwater discharge permits

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched a 10-county pilot program on Wednesday, designed…

1 day ago

Vogtle Unit 4 begins commercial operation with Westinghouse AP1000 technology

Cranberry Township, Pa.-based Westinghouse announced its second AP1000 nuclear reactor entered into commercial operation at…

1 day ago

This website uses cookies.