State police keep promise on I-70
State police promised increased enforcement in the Murtland Avenue construction zone on Interstate 70 between the north junction with Interstate 79 and the Beau Street exit in South Strabane Township.
Last week, troopers made good on that promise by cracking down on speeding and aggressive driving in an enforcement effort that resulted in 20 citations issued to drivers, along with eight written warnings to other violators. Police also responded to two crashes and assisted six motorists with disabled vehicles.
In September, the state Department of Transportation started the project to replace the Murtland Avenue interchange on I-70 with a diverging diamond interchange. That style of interchange requires drivers to cross over and switch lanes on Route 19 with traffic signals directing the flow to allow drivers to either pass through the area or get on the interstate.
The construction zone had been the scene of several crashes in recent weeks, including wrecks involving tractor-trailers that blocked the highway and caused traffic tie-ups.
“Citations are being written for moving violations, whether it is speeding, unsafe lane changes or going through stop signs,” said Lt. Douglas Bartoe, patrol section supervisor for Troop B headquarters in Washington. “The main goal is to get drivers to slow down so there are fewer crashes. There are some tricky merge points, and we want to keep the workers and public safe.”
The speed limit through the construction area is 45 mph, starting eastbound near the Jefferson Avenue interchange and westbound just east of the Beau Street interchange. Traffic merging onto the highway at both the Murtland and Beau interchanges is now required to stop instead of yielding to oncoming traffic.
Most of the problems seem to be occurring during the morning and evening rush hours. Bartoe said the troopers will be flipping days and times when they will be out in that area.
“When the lanes tighten up as part of the project, it will be even more difficult,” he added. “We plan to spread out the enforcement so people see us.”
The $53 million project is slated to be done in November 2017. Golden Triangle Construction of Robinson Township is the general contractor.