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DALLAS — Major traffic pattern changes began Sunday on Route 415 in Dallas as part of a roundabout project.
“This will create heavy congestion in the area and motorists are strongly urged to seek alternate routes,” said James May, PennDOT district press officer. “However, the good news is that by doing the work in this manner, the contractor will now be able to complete the entire project by the end of this calendar year — one year ahead of schedule.”
Despite signs and portable message boards posted in the area, trucks continued to illegally drive through the work zone and were getting stuck instead of following a detour. May said PennDOT crews were forced to assist trucks as they attempted to back out of the work zone.
“As a result of this traffic situation, PennDOT will be implementing a significant change to the traffic pattern in the area,” May said. “This change will create a serious short-term traffic inconvenience, but will allow the work to be done in a much more expedited manner.”
All traffic was reduced to a single lane, controlled by flaggers, as of Sunday.
May said the single-lane pattern will be in place for seven “rain-free” days. During this time, the contractor will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week until this stage is complete.
Car-seat checks
In otherPennDOT news:
To mark Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs Sept. 23-29, PennDOT, local police and other agencies will participate in car-seat checks.
The event is dedicated to helping parents and caregivers ensure children are properly restrained inside vehicles.
This year’s theme, “Safe Families Buckle Up,” highlights the need for all members of the family to buckle up using the right car seat, booster seat or seat belt every time they travel including short trips close to home.
Car seats will be checked in Luzerne County at the following dates and locations:
• Saturday: Coccia Ford, 1600 Route 315 Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sept. 28: State Farm Insurance, 1118 Route 315, Suite 2, Wilkes-Barre, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 19: McCarthy Tire Service, 340 Kidder St., Wilkes-Barre, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Car-seat technicians will be on hand to check the installation and use of car seats free of charge and no appointment is necessary.