June 8, 2015
HARRISBURG, June 8, 2015 – Holly Doppel of Lenhartsville emailed Senators David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks) after she read the lawmakers were interested in spearheading a bipartisan effort to strengthen safety in work zones.
Doppel was referring to the lawmakers’ push to add speed cameras to ensure the speed limit is followed in work zones.
A fatal accident on the morning of May 2 near Bensalem on the Pennsylvania took the life of a motorist and sent four construction workers to the hospital. Doppel’s youngest son was working with the Bensalem crew that was involved in the accident, but left at 1 a.m. The accident occurred at 5:30 a.m.
“I am for having the cameras at the work zones,” Doppel wrote to the Senators. “Also, I am for any other project that can be used to protect our construction workers.”
The two Berks County lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 840 that would allow for automated speed cameras in active work zones across the state.
“With the added investment to fix our roads and bridges, we need to do everything we can to protect the lives of the men and women making those improvements possible,” Argall said. “One life lost is one too many and this proposal would allow PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission to identify areas where workers are most at risk. This measure has been proven in other states to change driver behavior and create a safer experience for both motorists and workers alike.”
“Our goal is to make sure that both motorists and workers are as safe as they can be when highway work is being done,” Schwank said. “We believe this bill is a fair balance that will get motorists to pay more attention when improvements and construction change the normal highway routines.”
The bipartisan proposal would create a five-year pilot program for automated speed enforcement on interstate highways under the jurisdiction of PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Motorists caught exceeding the speed limit will be subject to a $100 fine. The areas with speed-monitoring cameras will be adequately marked to inform motorists as well, including posted to the PennDOT and the Turnpike’s respective websites.
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December 18, 2014
BLANDON, Dec. 18, 2014 – Heeding the growing concerns about the safety of Route 222, state Sens. Judy Schwank (D-11) and David Argall (R-29) met here last night with local leaders to work towards solutions that would make the highway less deadly.
The gathering included representatives from Berks County law enforcement, including District Attorney John Adams; PennDOT; local chambers of commerce; Berks County officials; township officials; and business leaders.
“Twelve people have died driving on Route 222 in the past six years and there’s growing concern the highway will grow more dangerous as roundabout construction begins,” Sen. Schwank said during the meeting. “We cannot just hope that 222’s Nov. 19 fatal accident was the last one. We need to act now.”
“We must find solutions to curb the trend claiming innocent lives,” said Sen. Argall. “I’m grateful for the input and expertise shared during the meeting that can put us in the right direction and save lives in the future.”
After Sen. Schwank urged increased police enforcement and reduced speed limits, the group of leaders agreed that additional enforcement should begin to be explored.
PennDOT said it would examine lower speed limits, flashing signs and other enhancements to try to improve the safety of the corridor.
Leaders agreed it would take many additional years to build a limited-access highway to relieve the stress and problems of Route 222 but they said that a new road would still be pursued as a long-term solution.
“The common theme is that we must do more and we must do it now,” Argall said.
“People are justified in their concern about the impact of the new roundabouts,” Schwank said. “Still, we need to move forward with a plan that addresses these issues now, not in 25 years.”
The dangerous five-mile stretch of Route 222 under review is between the intersections of Route 73 in Blandon to Route 662 in Fleetwood.
In addition to the previously mentioned community leaders, representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police, Northern Berks Regional and Fleetwood police departments, North Central Highway Safety; Greater Reading and Northeast Berks chambers of commerce; Fleetwood School District; Berks County Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt; Maidencreek and Richmond townships; Fleetwood Borough; U.S. Rep. Charles Dent; state Rep.-elect Barry Jozwiak; and Redner’s, Quality Carriers and Venezia Bulk Transport attended the meeting.
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