Valley Creek/Turnpike construction

[JFO328]

It looks like they are gearing up for turnpike construction. Has anyone started a campaign to badger them to do a good job with silt and runoff control?

 

[salmo]

Do you have any details on that?

 

[CLSports]

Why do you assume they will not do a good job?

 

[mszoke1802]

turnpike job has been going on for some time now.

 

[wildtrout2]

Why do you assume they will not do a good job?

Oh, they'll do a good job, just don't hold your breath for completion. 😉

 

[tjsingle]

Highway engineer here - There's a TON of effort from all stakeholders (From planning to design to construction) that is put towards protecting waterways and counteracting any possible negative impacts both during construction and post-construction. This is the case for projects as big earthmoving operations such as a turnpike widening, all the way to smaller projects like say a bridge replacement.

I'm interested to see how the project progresses, as I fish Valley a ton so I have a vested interest in it. I'd imagine trail access under the overpass will be restricted until the new bridge structure is complete.

I did a little bit of digging and found the project page for those who are interested:
https://www.paturnpike.com/traveling/construction/site/milepost-320-324

 

[wildtrout2]

I'm interested to see how the project progresses, as I fish Valley a ton so I have a vested interest in it. I'd imagine trail access under the overpass will be restricted until the new bridge structure is complete.

I did a little bit of digging and found the project page for those who are interested:
https://www.paturnpike.com/traveling/construction/site/milepost-320-324

So, it looks like a roughly five year project.

 

[AndyP]

VFTU will be on it I am sure. That being said if anyone is fishing the area and parts downstream and see any negative impacts they should contact DEP and the Turnpike Commission. There is a longstanding legal agreement that VFTU won that is supposed to prevent the introduction of stormwater runoff directly into Valley... or something like that. It was probably 15-20 years ago when it happened.

 

[wildtrout2]

VFTU will be on it I am sure. That being said if anyone is fishing the area and parts downstream and see any negative impacts they should contact DEP and the Turnpike Commission. There is a longstanding legal agreement that VFTU won that is supposed to prevent the introduction of stormwater runoff directly into Valley... or something like that. It was probably 15-20 years ago when it happened.

It's been the pipe breaks that have really haunted Valley over the years.

 

[JFO328]

VFTU will be on it I am sure. That being said if anyone is fishing the area and parts downstream and see any negative impacts they should contact DEP and the Turnpike Commission. There is a longstanding legal agreement that VFTU won that is supposed to prevent the introduction of stormwater runoff directly into Valley... or something like that. It was probably 15-20 years ago when it happened.

I fished there today for the first time and it seems like there's an inch of silt on top of a nice gravel bed throughout where I fished. This was a problem at Newlin Grist Mill when they worked on PA 322 40.0803659,-75.4607581.

 

[poopdeck]

There is probably no less than a dozen Federal, State and local agencies, along with private entities such as TU, and the river keepers, who actively monitor water quality in the region and especially during nearby construction projects. But another watchdog never hurts. You should start the campaign.

 

[TimMurphy]

So, it looks like a roughly five year project.

Dear wildtrout2,

And, upon completion the next phase for adding a 4th lane will be announced. 😉

Seriously, in 1988 the turnpike was 2 lanes westbound from the Delaware River to Harrisburg. The speed limit was 55 mph, and I lived 3 miles from exit 28, now known as 352. I could leave home and be getting off the turnpike in Harrisburg in 2 hours every time and never go above 60 mph.

Now the speed limit is 70 and with mostly new pavement and at least 3 lanes in either direction it takes longer to get to the Fort Washington Interchange than it ever took going back and forth to Harrisburg. The more lanes they add the more opportunities there are for people and trucks to be in the wrong lane!

I avoid the turnpike whenever possible; I can't stand doing 70 and then dropping to 45 for 10 miles while 2 tractor-trailers struggle to pass each other like they were climbing towards the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70 in Colorado.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[salmo]

Maybe I’m off topic here, but why is it that every time I’m on a highway in New Jersey there seems to be a car camped in the far left lane with people passing it on the right and it almost always has Pennsylvania plates? Just saying’.

 

[TimMurphy]

Maybe I’m off topic here, but why is it that every time I’m on a highway in New Jersey there seems to be a car camped in the far left lane with people passing it on the right and it almost always has Pennsylvania plates? Just saying’.

Dear salmo,

It's a tactic to enrage front platers and keep them from coming to PA and invading our streams! 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[tomgamber]

Maybe I’m off topic here, but why is it that every time I’m on a highway in New Jersey there seems to be a car camped in the far left lane with people passing it on the right and it almost always has Pennsylvania plates? Just saying’.

that's funny because in PA it always has Ohio or Va plates.