Can you spare $10 or $25?

Exciting!



Crunch time is here.

This is worthy.

Pay if forward.

Have fun out west to Geri Ann, John, Laurel Ann and Hellen

 My sister and her family is headed out west today. They fly into Las Vegas and tour around to many of the sites we visited last year. Have a great time. Back then, Grant, shown in photo, was about the same height as Catherine. 

In other news, Geri Ann's crew might be able to team up with cousin Linda's family from Florida. They'll both be in the same spot for part of the trip. 

Everyone needs to be safe with all the summer travels. 

Fwd: PennDOT Announces 2012 Allegheny County Highway and Bridge Improvement Projects

From: "Splitstone, Donald E." 

I thought that you might want to be aware of these upcoming road construction projects... affecting cycling and commuting routes around Allegheny County.  It's a LONG list...

[Oakland Transportation Management Association]<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615831/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/>

[Oakland Transportation Management Association]<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615832/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/>



ABOUT US<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615839/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/about-us>

PROJECTS<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615840/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/projects>

PARKING<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615841/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/parking>

NEWS & ALERTS<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615842/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news>

QUESTIONS<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615843/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/questions>

CONTACT<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615844/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/contact>



Public Service Announcement

PennDOT Announces 2012 Allegheny County Highway and Bridge Improvement Projects

PennDOT District 11 is pleased to announce major improvements will occur in 2012 on state-owned roads and bridges in Allegheny County.

District 11 will invest an estimated $220.1 million on 102 projects to improve, preserve or rehabilitate key infrastructure including 54 bridges in Allegheny County in 2012. In addition, 69 miles of roadway will be paved or resurfaced and 12 landslides will be remediated at a cost of $13.7 million.

"This will be an important year for Allegheny County as we will see significant projects underway that are vital to maintaining our infrastructure," District Executive Dan Cessna said. "Many of those projects are going to impact traffic, particularly in the downtown Pittsburgh area. We urge motorists to use caution, be informed, be patient and stay alert in highway work zones for the safety of highway workers and themselves."

Here's a preview of the major improvements scheduled for 2012 in Allegheny County:

Parkway East (Interstate 376) Squirrel Hill Tunnel Rehabilitation:

 *   Work on a major $49.4 million project to rehabilitate the Squirrel Hill Tunnel will begin March 19. Westbound (inbound) work will occur in 2012 followed by eastbound work next year. The project includes update electrical systems, lighting system, control system, ventilation system, structural repairs to the walls and arched ceiling, installation of a water line and other improvements. To minimize impacts on the traveling public, rehabilitation work on the bridge that carries the Parkway East over Commercial Street will be performed as part of the tunnel project. Expansion dam on ramps at the Edgewood Swissvale interchange (Exit 77) will also be replaced. The work will require overnight and weekend single lane traffic in the tunnel. In addition, 16 weekend closures (8 westbound in 2012, 8 eastbound in 2013) will occur as part of the project. No full closures will occur on weeknights. Only one direction will be restricted at a time. Overall work will conclude in summer 2014.

Fort Pitt and Duquesne Bridge Ramps

 *   Work on an $8.7 million project to resurface several ramps connecting the Fort Pitt (I-376) and Fort Duquesne (I-279) bridges to various roadways will begin in early spring. Short-term closures and restrictions will occur. Overall work will conclude in fall 2013.

I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Veterans Bridge Preservation:

 *   Phase I: The $18 million Phase I project to rehabilitate and preserve bridges and ramps on Crosstown Boulevard started early in 2010. Work and lane closures will continue through late 2012.
 *   Phase II: Work on the $17 million Phase II includes ramp and mainline improvements on the Veterans Bridge. Long-term lane closures and ramp detours will occur. Work will begin in late March and conclude in fall 2013.

Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements - Several contracts will be underway simultaneously this season to create dramatic improvements on Route 28 between the 40th Street Bridge and the Heinz Plant

 *   Railroad relocation/East Ohio Street Prep: The $24.8 million project will conclude this year. The project is constructing new ramps at the 31st Street Bridge.

 *   40th Street Bridge Interchange: The first section of the East Ohio Street widening project on Route 28 started in 2010 and will also conclude this year.  The $21.9 million project created two thru-lanes on southbound Route 28 to allow traffic to free flow through the intersection with the 40th Street Bridge. Traffic impacts should be minimal this year.
 *   East Ohio Street at 31st Street Bridge: The largest section and the fourth phase of the Route 28 East Ohio Street improvement projects started in late 2011. This $36.5 million project will reconstruct Route 28 and create a new grade-separated interchange at the 31st Street Bridge. Long-term lane closure and detours will occur through 2014.
 *   Millvale Bridge Preservation: A project will begin on Route 28 to address severe bridge deterioration at the Millvale interchange. The estimated $3-4 million project includes milling and resurfacing, bridge preservation, expansion dams, repairs, painting and other improvements. Off-peak restrictions and short-term detours will occur.

Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard)
Route 65 through Allegheny County will be a focused corridor for improvements again in 2012.

 *   Marshall Avenue Interchange: Phase II work on the mainline bridges that carry Route 65 over Route 19 in Pittsburgh will continue with detours through late August/early September. The $20 million project is rehabilitating the mainline and ramp structures including deck replacement, substructure spall repairs, replacing expansion dams, bearing replacements, steel repairs, cleaning and painting of structural steel, approach slab replacement, highway lighting and other improvements.
 *   Avalon Bridge: Work on a $1.7 million project to replace the deck on a small bridge on Route 65 in Avalon Borough will continue through summer. Lane closures are occurring.
 *   Lowries Run Bridge: Work will conclude in early spring on this $3.3 million project to replace the bridge that carries Route 65 over Lowries Run Road east of Camp Horne Road in Emsworth Borough. Lane closures will occur.
 *   Resurfacing and Upgrades: Two projects to mill and resurface and upgrade Route 65 will occur this construction season. The first, estimated at $1-2 million, will occur from Charles Willow Street to Hazelwood Avenue in Emsworth Borough and the other project, estimated at $5-6 million, from Beaver County to the Sewickley Bridge. Restrictions will occur during off-peak hours.

Interstate 79

 *   Warrendale-Bayne Mingo Road Bridges: Only minor work remains on this $10 million project that started last year to improve the bridges over Mingo Road (Route 4041) and Warrendale-Bayne Road (Route 4052) and the ramp from northbound I-79 to Cranberry (Exit 76), which passes over southbound I-79. Lane closures will occur. Work will be completed early this year.
 *   Bridgeville to Washington County: Concrete spall repairs, signage and minor work remain on this $2.6 million project to improve I-79 from the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54) to Washington County that started last year. Lane closures will occur. Overall work will conclude this summer.
Broughton/Baptist Road Intersection: This $3.9 million project will improve safety and reduce congestion at the intersection of Broughton Road (Route 2040) and Baptist Road (Route 3009) in Bethel Park Borough. Work is scheduled to begin in late March includes reconstructing and widening the intersection to add turning lanes, improve drainage, retaining walls, new traffic signals, curbing and bituminous resurfacing. Overall work will conclude in fall 2013. Detours and lane closures will occur.

Tri-Boro T Intersection: Work will begin this spring to reconstruct the final T leg of the elevated Route 2037 Tri-Boro Expressway intersection with East Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard in East Pittsburgh. The estimated $16-17 million project will require a detour. Work will conclude in fall 2013.

Banksville Road Improvements: Estimated between $4-5 million, this project will mill and resurface, upgrade drainage, guide rail, and other improvements on Banksville Road (Route 19) from Beverly Road to the Parkway West in Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and the City of Pittsburgh. Lane closures will occur. Work will conclude in late fall.

Route 30 Electric Avenue Bridges: Work is underway to replace the bridges that carry Route 30 over Electric Avenue (Route 2112) in North Braddock. The $7.8 million project will require lane restrictions, ramp detours and crossovers on Route 30 with work concluding in fall 2013.

Presto-Sygan (Route 3028) Bridge: This $823,589 project will begin this spring to replace the bridge that carries Presto-Sygan Road over Thoms Run in South Fayette Township. Traffic will be detoured. Work will conclude in late 2013.

Presley Road (Route 3031) Bridge: Work will begin this fall on a $1 million project to replace the bridge that carries Presley Road over Chartiers Creek in Collier Township. Traffic will be detoured. Work will conclude in late 2013.

Curry Hollow Road (Route 2040) Bridge: Work to replace and improve this bridge over railroad tracks on Curry Hollow Road near Route 51 and the Value City shopping plaza in Pleasant Hills is underway. A turning lane will be added as part of the $5.6 million project. Long-term lane closures will occur.

Bridge Street (Route 1001) over Pine Creek: This $1.26 million project will replace the deck on the bridge that carries Bridge Street over Pine Creek in Etna Borough and a second bridge on Freeport Road over Barge Basin in Harrison Township. Detours and lane closures will occur. The project will begin March 22 with completion set for this fall.

Route 30 Five Points Intersection: Work will begin this spring on a $2.3 million project to widen and improve the intersection of Route 30 and Old Steubenville Pike (Route 3066) near the Route 22 interchange in North Fayette Township.  Lane closures, shifts and ramp detours are expected. Work will conclude next fall.

Route 8 Hardies Road Intersection: Work will begin late this year to widen and add turning lanes on Route 8 from the PA Turnpike Interchange to Hardies Road. The $2.7 million project will require lane closures. Work will conclude in fall 2013.

Route 51 over Montour Run: This $1.8 million project will rehabilitate the bridge that carries Route 51 (Coraopolis Boulevard) over a township road and Montour Run in Robinson Township. Weekend detours may occur. Work will conclude in late summer 2012.

Hulton Road Bridge Replacement: Work on this $1.3 million project includes replacing the bridge that carries Route 2058 Hulton Road over Plum Creek in Plum Borough and Penn Hills Township. Traffic will be detoured during construction. Work will conclude in late summer.

Washington Pike Over Coal Run: Work to replace and improve the bridge that carries Route 3003 Washington Pike over Coal Run in South Fayette Township will begin in late fall. The estimate $1-2 million project will continue through fall 2013. Traffic will be maintained during construction.

Noblestown Road Culvert Replacement: Estimated between $0-1 million, this project set to begin in mid-summer will replace the bridge that carries Noblestown Road (Route 3048) over Robinson Run in North Fayette Township. Work will conclude in late fall. Traffic will be detoured.

Broadhead Road Bridge Replacement: Traffic will be maintained with trucks detoured while work on a $1.3 million project to replace the bridge that carries Broadhead Road (Route 3077) over Flaugherty Run Creek in Moon Township progresses through late fall.

Route 130 Tri-Boro Wall Repair: Set to begin this summer, this estimated $0-1 million project will repair five bin walls on the Tri-Boro Expressway between Sycamore Street and Maple Avenue. Work will conclude in fall 2013.

Route 148 Lysle Boulevard Improvements: Work includes concrete pavement patching, bituminous overlay, curb ramps, and traffic signal upgrades on two miles of Route 148 from Walnut Street to Jerome Street Bridge in McKeesport. The estimated $3-4 million project will begin in late spring and conclude this fall. Lane closures will be required.

Route 366 Bull Creek Road Improvements: Estimated between $9-10 million, this project includes bridge preservation, concrete reconstruction, drainage and intersection improvements on 2.76 miles of Route 366/1034 from Route 28 to the Tarentum Bridge in Tarentum Borough and Fawn and Harrison townships. Work will begin in late spring and conclude this fall. Lane closures will be required.

Route 885 Clairton Road Improvements: Work to mill and overlay, update guide rail, signals and drainage on 1.32 miles of Route 885 from College Drive to Lebanon Church Road in West Mifflin Borough will begin this spring and conclude this fall. Lane closure and crossovers will occur. The project is estimated at $2-3 million.

Route 4052 Warrendale Bayne Road Improvements: Work on this $5-6 million project will include intersection widening on 1.5 miles of Warrendale-Bayne Road in Marshall Township. The project will begin this spring and conclude this fall. Lane closures will occur.

Northbound Route 28 Blawnox off-ramp over Squaw Run: Located in O'Hara Township, this $1 million project started in 2011 is rehabilitating a culvert that carries the ramp from northbound Route 28 to Blawnox over Squaw Run. Work will continue through fall 2012. Minimal restrictions will occur.

Clairton-Glassport Bridge (Route 2038): Started in 2011, this $4 million project to preserve and rehabilitate the Clairton-Glassport Bridge over the Monongahela River in Clairton will conclude in early spring. Traffic signal and bridge bearing work will occur requiring lane closures.

Route 48 Boston Bridge: Started in 2010, this $17 million project to rehabilitate the bridge that carries Route 48 over the Youghiogheny River in Elizabeth Township and Versailles Borough will continue through early 2012. Short-term lane closures and detours will be required.

Route 19 Wexford Flats: Work started in 2011 on this $18.1 million project to widen and add a center turn lane on Route 19 from Longvue Road (near top of Pine Creek Hill) to just north of North Chapel/Manor Road in Pine and Marshall Townships. Long-term lane closures and traffic shifts are occurring. Overall work will conclude in late 2012.

Route 50 Washington Pike: Bridge and minor work remain on this $6.7 million project on Route 50 from Anderson Equipment in Collier Township to Boden Avenue in Carnegie Borough. Lane closures will occur. Work will continue through early summer 2012.

McKnight Road Route 4003: Work will conclude this spring on an $8.8 million project that improved McKnight Road from Nelson Run to Babcock Boulevard in Ross and McCandless Townships. Lane closures will occur through late spring for bridge and curb work.

West End Bridge: A project to improve traffic flow on the West End Bridge in Pittsburgh started in late 2011. The $1.1 million project will conclude early spring 2012. Minor lane closures may occur.

Landslides
Several projects will be underway this construction season to address major landslides:

 *   Route 48 Mosside Boulevard: Work on a $1-2 million project to repair a landslide on Route 48 in North Versailles Township and Wall Borough will begin this year and continue through early 2013. Lane closures may occur.
 *   Route 51 Island Avenue: Traffic will be maintained using temporary traffic signals as this estimated $0-1 million project addresses a landslide on Route 51 in Stowe Township. Work will begin this spring and conclude this fall.
 *   Route 1013 Saxonburg Boulevard: Estimated at $1-2 million, work to repair a landslide on Saxonburg Boulevard in West Deer Township will require a traffic detour. Work will begin this year and conclude in early 2013.
 *   Route 2001 Bunola River Road: Traffic will be detoured while this estimated $2-3 million project addresses a landslide on Bunola River Road in Forward Township. Work will begin this year and continue through fall 2013.
 *   Route 2065 Thompson Run Road: This estimated $1-2 million project will also require a detour as work begins in this summer to repair a slide on Thompson Run Road in Monroeville. Work will continue through early fall 2013.
 *   Route 4032 Fern Hollow Road: Located in Bell Acres Borough, this $0-500,000 project will stabilize a slope, repair drainage and reconstruct Fern Hollow Road this summer.
 *   Route 4063 Pearce Mill Road: Two different projects, estimated between $500,000 and $1.2 million will address landslides on Pearce Mill Road in Pine Township. Work will begin in this summer and continue through fall 2013. Detours will be required.

Group Resurfacing Contracts
The routes listed below will be milled and resurfaced in 2012 under contract group projects (work areas may be subject to change).

 *   Frankstown Road (Route 380) from Tokay Street to Verona Road (Route 2058)
 *   Freeport Road (Route 1001) from Route 910 (Gibsonia Road) to Cheswick Avenue
 *   Boulevard of the Allies (Route 2208) from Commonwealth Place to Liberty Bridge
 *   West Ingomar Road (Route 4070) from Highland Road to new pavement near Route 19
 *   Library Road (Route 88) from Washington County to South Park Road
 *   Finney Road (Route 2025) from Route 48 (Boston Hollow Road) to West Smithfield Road
 *   Boyce Road (Route 3006) from Hunting Ridge Road to Birds Meadow Drive
 *   Berryman Road (Route 3011) from Stoltz Road to Library Road (Route 88)
 *   Prestley Road (Route 3031) from Washington Road (Route 50) to Thoms Run Road
 *   Second Avenue (Route 885) from Glenwood Bridge to Greenfield Avenue
 *   Route 910 (Gibsonia Road) from Hardt Road to Route 8 and from Mountainview Road to Pennsylvania Turnpike overpass
 *   Burchfield Road (Route 1006) from Route 8 to Middle Road
 *   Soose Road (Route 4013) from Parker Street to Wible Run Road
 *   Sewickley-Oakmont Road (Route 4022) from Rochester Road to Route 19
 *   Deer Run Road (Route 4033) from Kilbuck Street to Red Gate Road

In addition to the work listed above, District 11 will be making many improvements to the transportation system in Allegheny County through various County Maintenance activities. District 11 will also be performing numerous bridge preservation and washing projects around the county in a continuing effort to address critical bridge needs.

Visit www.state.pa.us/district11<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615845/41715/goto:http:/www.state.pa.us/district11> for more information on PennDOT activities in Allegheny County.

PennDOT advises motorists to use caution, slow down, and expect changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area. Motorists are also reminded they can log on to 511pa.com<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615846/41715/goto:http:/www.511pa.com/> or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling.



Follow OTMA on:

[Follow us on Facebook]<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615847/41715/goto:http:/www.facebook.com/pages/Oakland-Transportation-Management-Association/111945712159349>

[Follow us on Twitter]<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615848/41715/goto:http:/twitter.com/%23!/oaklandtma>

[OTMA]<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615849/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/>


Our Vision

An Oakland that is an integrated and legible urban core. Learn more...<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615850/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/about-us>


Our Mission

NEWS & ALERTS

OTMA serves the Oakland community through advocacy and provision of information to encourage good transportation choices by commuters, residents and visitors alike with the goal of increasing the use of modes other than the automobile. These alternative modes will reduce congestion and improve the quality of the street environment and therefore the quality of life in Oakland.

Learn more about OTMA on our website ><http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615851/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/about-us>

* All<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615852/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news>
* Traffic<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615853/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news/traffic>
* Transit<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615854/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news/transit>
* Oakland Commuter<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615855/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news/oakland-commuter>
* Construction<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615856/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news/construction>
* Weather<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615857/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news/weather>
* Emergency<http://e2ma.net/go/11740580971/4258841/114615858/41715/goto:http:/www.otmapgh.org/news/emergency>

Share the road

I would like to thank the local media for the immediate and continued coverage with respect to the two cyclists who were hit by a coward driving recklessly on Memorial Day. This driver's lack of action is reprehensible: Rather than be a responsible citizen, the driver chose to leave the scene of an accident without learning if the cyclists were injured or dead. Seemingly, the driver did not much care.

Motorists have a "privilege" to be on the road and are "required" to share the road with cyclists. Before yelling obscenities or writing letters to the editor, please familiarize yourself with the PennDOT Drivers Manual. Chapter III, Page 46 confirms that a "bicyclist has the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as you."

I understand there are plenty of bike riders who are not obeying the rules of the road and they give a bad rap to cyclists who do obey the law, just as a driver who mows down two cyclists with no apparent regard for their lives gives a bad rap to motorists.

Cyclists, please respect drivers and ride safely; use appropriate hand signals, be courteous and visible.

Drivers, please remember that cyclists have the same rights as other motorists and the obligation to follow the same rules of the road. Also, it is "illegal" to force cyclists off the road. I know some people like to see how close they can come to hitting a cyclist, but remember, that person also has family and friends, and I am fairly confident you do not want to kill someone because you think he or she is in your way.

Let's all remember that cyclists are not going anywhere and are increasing in numbers. Both camps need to understand and respect the rights of each other. We need to ride in harmony.

FRED KLEHM
President
Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen
Ross

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11157/1151623-110-0.stm#ixzz1OiciOunw

Port Authority hopes to bring rapid bus transit to East End

Rapid Bus could be supported only if it is a non-exclusive route in that bikes are also permitted and encouraged to ride along all the bus ways.

Port Authority hopes to bring rapid bus transit to East End: "Panelists at the forum cited obstacles, including narrow rights of way and the need to preserve on-street parking for retail businesses, that could restrict the development of bus-only lanes."

We need to begin not with Rapid Bus. But with PAT's full support of bikes along existing bus routes. We should allow bikes along the bus lane through Oakland. We should allow bikes to travel through the Wabash Tunnel, the Light Rail Tunnel to the South Hills and along the East Busway.

Then, once bikes have been managed to co-exist with the buses, then we can talk about Rapid Bus support.

A bike can get out of the way of the bus. A toot of the horn and pull over.

We can set up special classes and a special culture for bike travel along the bus routes. No headphones perhaps. Certain speeds perhaps. We can make it work.

Amen to this: Complaints spur change in Brookline bus route

Wow. Real listening and adjustments. Imagine that. Amen!

Complaints spur change in Brookline bus route: "Complaints spur change in Brookline bus route"

Now on to those other bottlenecks.

Getting To Pgh Obama High School

Some PAT Bus Route Links:

The 75 Bus Route, Ellsworth, goes to and from Pgh Obama and the South Side Works via the Birmingham Bridge.

http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/apps/pdfs/tdp/75.pdf

The 74 goes to Squirrel Hill and Homewood.

http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/apps/pdfs/tdp/74.pdf


The 81B also goes downtown after serving Bakery Square

The 77B (soon to be 77), 86 and 88 also are PAT buses in the area.
The rerouted 71C will visit Pgh Obama too: http://www.portauthority.org/paac/apps/maps/tdp/71C.pdf

Work to begin on Penn Circle in East Liberty

Work to begin on Penn Circle in East Liberty: "A new stage in the transformation of East Liberty will begin Monday with a $5 million project to improve the Penn Circle South and East corridor."

Not a PEEP about the two schools that are in that area. Nothing. Zippo. There are more people headed to Peabody and Reizenstein than anything else in that area. I wonder if the newspaper just missed it or else if everyone in City Planning missed it too?

Starting to figure out the local bike race scene

Erik rode in the Tuesday night bike race at the oval tonight with the Juniors and Women's race. He got 22nd in a field of 31. But, he was only 7 seconds behind the winner. He was wise and didn't sprint at the end. He didn't even shift in the entire race. He was on my bike and at the start line was asking for the seat to be lowered. He left the race with all his skin -- and for that I'm very happy.

There is more. One toe clip was never made tight, blah, blah, blah.

He did great.

In a season, he could own that race.

We have to upgrade our equipment. Only one of our bikes has drop bars and Grant's bike isn't legal with its staight and forward part extension.

I've got to get in shape and ride too.

New Meetup: Tsunami planned after golfers depart Oakmont

From: Mike Cornell <cornells@zoominternet.net>

Sender: kayaking-129-announce@meetup.com

Announcing a new Meetup for Pittsburgh Kayakers (ka-"yack"-ers)!

What: Tsunami!

When: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:00 AM

Where: Allegheny River, Harmarville

What happens when a huge bridge falls 100' into a river? Tsunami! Gather up your nerve and your sense of adventure for an all-new way to experience a dynamite-packed implosion. Tuesday July 13, the the old PA Turnpike bridge at Harmarville will drop into the Allegheny River like a sack of potatoes, and we'll be there, bobbing on the water, 1000' away, watching it go down!

Bring food and drink, noisemakers, video cameras, marine radios & police scanners, flags, crazy hats, Frisbees & beach balls; it's a goofy event, so come prepared!

We'll launch from Oakmont or Harmarville, no more than a mile away, and then hang out on the river, waiting for the big moment. When will that moment be? I don't know yet, but I assume that the Turnpike will be closed during the implosion, and all Turnpike closures are publicized in advance. Probably mid-day; for safety, they wouldn't do it at night, and they'll probably avoid rush hours. I'll update the listing as I get more information.

Thrills! Spills! Mayhem! Destruction! Isn't THAT worth a day off work?

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/kayaking-129/calendar/13894387/

Blast from the past: Winter of 2006 press release as a candidate

Press Release: Immediate
From Daniel Repovz, Media Coordinator, Elect.Rauterkus.com Media@Rauterkus.com, 412-904-2976

Mark Rauterkus, candidate for Pittsburgh's City Council, district 3, special election slated now for March 14, 2006, released a four point plan to those in attendance at the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce meeting today after the Craig Patrick of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins presentation.

The Rauterkus campaign stresses freedom, future, fitness and flow to benefit our entire region. Rauterkus said, "The plan is simple and as we think again on these opportunities, everyone I talk to is in agreement with me. 1) Own what you build. 2) Return what you lease. 3) Grow where you can flourish and contribute to flow. 4) Fix what you broke."

1. Should the Penguins get a new arena from the windfall of the gambling casino, then others must keep it. The city should not own the new building. Mario could own, operate, insure and program the new building. Do not build a new building and expect to hand its ownership over to the city nor an authority.

2. Should the Penguins move out of the historic Civic Arena, then they should not be the ones to tear it down. The Mellon Arena can return as a civic arena and stay as a place for other events such as Disney on Ice, Circus, Carrick High School Graduations, and scholastic basketball tournaments, such as the WPIAL and PIAA championships. Those events don't require luxury-corporate boxes with leather seats and catering services.

3. The Penguins and other civic and regional leaders should build the new hockey arena at the old airport or some other area in suburban Pittsburgh. The arena does NOT need to be built in downtown.

4. We should re-open the now closed, indoor ice rink on the South Side located behind UPMC's South Side Hospital. Rebuilding that venue and grounds should provides quality recreational opportunities to the city residents and the region. The Penguins had a big hand in getting that rink covered. Private operators had the contract to operate the facility at no cost to the city. Much more can be done to build there for many benefits of fitness and the future.

For further information or quotes, call Mark Rauterkus, 412-298-3432 or Mark@Rauterkus.com

Alle-Kiski Valley's human-powered boats boom in popularity - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Alle-Kiski Valley's human-powered boats boom in popularity - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewWhile powerboating has been popular for years in the Alle-Kiski Valley, the real boom regionally has been in human-powered boating.
The Kiskiminetas River, which forms the border between Westmoreland and Armstrong counties, has seen tremendous growth in kayaking and canoeing.
Neill Andritz owns River's Edge Canoe and Kayak Rental in Gilpin with his wife, Evelyn. The outfitter offers 22-mile runs down the Kiski from Avonmore to the Schenley section of Gilpin, where the Kiski enters the Allegheny River.
He said his business just keeps getting busier. The Andritzs outfitted 800 customers in 2007. In 2009, the number jumped to a 2,000.
'It is due to the fact that the Kiski has made such a miraculous comeback,' Andritz said.

Cycle in a Ride of Silence - Memorial Day

Thanks to Jim Logan for this:

Ride of Silence - Memorial Day - 7 AM - In memory and tribute of cyclists killed by vehiclesAdd a comment »
Started by Jim Logan, VP Product Engineering at Vocollect Healthcare Systems, Inc.
What is a Ride of Silence?
Cyclists riding slowly (no faster than 12 MPH) in silence (public assembly) and in the below goals:
o Mourning those cyclists killed or injured
o Cycling is not going to be chased or intimidated off the streets we legally share
o Cyclists want only to share the road with motorists
o Making motorists aware of the life long legal, as well as life changing, problems that can ensue from killing a cyclist



On Thursday May 27th Donald Parker, 52, of Clearfield Rd, Hampton Twp, was struck by a car and died while commuting. The Western PA Wheelmen and Bike Pgh are endorsing a Ride of Silence (http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php) that will ride portions of Don's commuting route. We will start at the Waterworks Mall in Fox Chapel and ride to the Intersection of Harts Run Rd and Saxonburg Blvd. At that point the we will turn around, and the official Ride of Silence will start, as Don was struck and killed climbing the hill on Harts Run Rd from Saxonburg Blvd to Dorseyville Rd. Approximately there-and-back mileage is 16 miles.

You are encouraged to wear a black arm im memoriam of riders killed, and a red arm band if you have been injured by a motorist.

Plan:
- We assembly at the Waterworks Mall Parking in Fox Chapel lot near the Dollar Bank end of the parking lot at 6:45 AM, leaving at 7:00 AM.
- We ride the 8 miles to Harts Run Rd and Saxonburg Blvd.
- Those who wish to ride a shorter distance should meet us at the intersection of Harts Run Rd and Saxonburg Blvd at approximately 7:45 AM.
- On the return, we will ride silently from from Saxonburg Blvd to Harts Run Rd in memory of Donald and other riders killed by vehicles.
- We will ride as a group, slowly there and back, at least until we get to the top of the descrent back down Fox Chapel Rd.
- Please treat this ride with the dignity it deserves.
- Helmets required.
- We will recruit road marshalls for the front and rear of the group the day of the event.

Jim Logan

Mark Crowley's LTE @ North Shore Under River Tunnel

I had a LTE in my local weekly (Plum) today (4/15/2010) about Pittsburgh's North Shore Connector. We've discussed this disaster in Libertarian Pittsburgh posts long ago, but a local field trip article encouraged me to write. I'm glad they printed it, but I didn't like their editing. Here's the LTE as-submitted with the omitted parts in [bold].

Mark

Plum Advance Leader
Connector a symbol for poor government spending
April 15, 2010

Dear Editor:

While there's merit exposing students to engineering projects ("Plum High School students go underground for a look at Connector", Karen Zapf, 4/1/2010), there's a cruel irony in that [April 1st] piece.

The Connector, an admirable engineering accomplishment, is a classic example of a misguided, wasteful use of public money.

Politicians from Tom Murphy to Rick Santorum to Ed Rendell promoted it. Costs increased from $363 million in 2003 to $552 million today. It consumed limited resources, denying better uses. ["Even Governor Rendell eventually admitted, "I guess you've got to finish it, but it's a tragic mistake."]

Other tragic mistakes -- insane wars, punishing success with taxes, rewarding failure with bailouts, and buying votes with walking-around money, federal earmarks and entitlements -- have far costlier consequences.

State and local governments are $3 trillion in debt. The national debt tops $12 trillion. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans' benefits and federal pension obligations exceed $100 trillion. The dollar's value fell 10% in the past 12 months and is going down.

The cruel irony is that when those students stood in that hole beneath the Allegheny River, it was an inescapable metaphor for the hole in which their generation was placed.

Mark Crowley, Plum

Kissing a toad leads to this madness

Once upon a time, ...

Police: Man tried to revive dead possum; alcohol involved Police: Man tried to revive dead possum; alcohol involved
Friday, March 26, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Police said a man will be charged with public drunkenness after several witnesses saw him attempting to resuscitate a road-killed opossum.
State police said they charged Donald Wolfe, 55, of Brookville, Jefferson County, after they arrived at the scene on Route 36 in Oliver Township around 3 p.m. Thursday.
A news release from police does not state how he was trying to revive the opossum.

Thankfully, the porcupine got to the other side of the road.

Parking Asset Plans for Pension Funds -- Folly and Folly Squared

Keeping Public Assets Public

View more presentations from Mark Rauterkus.

The Public Plan transfers ownership of some garages now a part of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to a private pension fund for government workers. Then with the new garages, the pension fund can use on-going revenue for the pension fund needs.

This plan, by Patrick Dowd of Pittsburgh City Council (one of nine) and Michael Lamb, City Controller (I ran against him for that post), is put into contrast with the plan from the Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl. The mayor's plan calls for a lease of the parking garages, something that I've been speaking against for some time. It would be better to sell the garages and not do a long-term lease.

The city gave a long-term lease to the guy who operated the ice rink in the park on the South Side. That lease didn't work out well for the residents. The roof fell in on it -- literally.

The city gave a long term lease to the Pirates and Steelers for their use of Three Rivers Stadium. That building is long gone but the public still owes tens of millions on a building that isn't there any more. Go figure.

The city gave a long-term lease to the Penguins for the Civic Arena. Now the Pens, renters, are moving out, and they insist that the building that they don't own be torn down. What renter tells a landlord to tear down a building they used to live in?

Pittsburgh gave long term leases to the Pittsburgh network of Carnegie Libraries -- and that hasn't even worked out well. Library branches have closed. The library can't do fix ups as they don't own the buildings. It is a mess.

The city should NOT do any long term lease deals. Period.

Selling is another matter and presents a much different and much better outcome for the city, for the residents and for the next owners.

City Paper Link

Local accountability is nice. However, there is no accountability with an authority. None. The authority board members are not elected nor do they face retention votes. The accountability resides in elected offices.

Furthermore, the pension fund is not a public entity. The pension fund is a private fund for those that were once public employees. The steelworkers have a pension fund as do teachers, gov workers and others have private 401K funds.

So, if a bank goes broke should we give it a parking garage and call it even?

A neighbor has a hard time paying her bills. Can the city designate five parking meters along East Carson Street for her? Can she get an on-going revenue stream by taking the quarters out of those parking meters?

The Dowd and Lamb plan is better than what Ravenstahl suggested. But it is still a matter of the lesser of two evils.

I wait for news and details of the plan from its authors. Will they tell us if these parking garages that are now owned by the public authority and are going to be transferred in ownership to a pension fund become a taxable revenue stream for real estate taxes for the city, school board and county?

Owners of private parking garages pay property taxes on the real estate. The pension fund should own the garages and the city should send them a tax bill that gets paid every year. The treasury should make a long-term income stream based on the value of the land and building of these garages.

What too about the parking taxes?

The city parking tax has been a nightmare. For years I've said that the parking tax should be moved to a much lower level, say 10 or 15%. But, dropping the parking tax should happen after the Parking Authority was liquidated. The parking tax throughout the city should drop by a huge factor. That is the relief that should be part of the plan too.

A transfer of the ownership to the pension fund as proposed means a deed transfer. So, does this mean a deed transfer tax payment? I expect so.

I think that the deed transfer tax sucks. But it is here. And if it is something that you'll pay when you buy and sell a home, then it should be something that they pay when they expand their property holdings too.

If the new owners pay both the deed transfer tax and the real estate taxes into the future, then we are on the right pathway. Neither of these are mentioned in the Dowd and Lamb slide show. They are the ones who should be keeping their eyes on the cookie jar, cash drawer, public treasury. I feel as if they are doing a shell game with the public's attention.

I'd suggest that once a deal is done and the properties are transfered, then the next adjustment is with the parking tax. Put the parking tax to 15% once all of these new entities and transfers are resolved and operational for 6 months.

Allow for the Parking Authority to have a management contract for the new owners of the garages for no more than five years. Then, four or five years into the future, the owners of the garages and the management contractors can renew the terms of their contract, or not.

Sunset is a great word that those on Grant Street should use in every discussion they have.

Don't insist that the parking authority be un-accountable to the new owners. Give the freedom and flexibility to the new owners to do what they wish with their properties. Sunset the management by the Parking Authority for the properties now owned by the pension fund. That should be no more than a five year deal. Renewal, or not, should be a factor between the new owners and the management -- not some hatched plan from council from years ago.

The Dowd and Lamb plan is far better than what Mayor Ravenstahl put on the table. But some changes and more details from Dowd and Lamb plan should be made before it beats my plan of complete liquidation.

A few more notes are in the comment section of the SlideShare site as well as Patrick's Facebook page.

Summary:
1. Transfer ownership means a deed transfer. Will there be a deed transfer tax paid on the total value of the properties that are transferred? I hope so. Say so.

2. Owners of property pay real estate taxes. What taxes are paid here? What are the assessments?

3. Sunset the management contract with the Parking Authority. Don't legislate what others should do with their properties.

I think it is a benefit to make dramatic decreases in the role of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority. For years I've said, "Let’s liquidate the Parking Authority." Without a Parking Authority, then policy decisions are done by those who are elected. That is who should do policy decisions. The Parking Authority is UN-Democratic. No Parking Authority Board Member comes up for a retention vote before the citizens.

Past and present city leaders are always fishing for one-time pay offs. This is another one-time windfall -- in a long series of them. By the way, how much does the public still owe on Three Rivers Stadium these days? Past Pittsburgh politicians sold the sewer lines for pete's sake.

Call ’The Private Plan’ the ’Ravenstahl Plan’ (or draft 1 of Ravenstahl Plan).

It is absurd that the Mayor’s Plan would forbid the Pittsburgh Parking Authority from building new parking facilities. So stupid. The only thing that would be more foolish is building more parking garages with public money -- like past city leadeers did so many times in the past.

Both Lamb and Dowd should be more concerned for the building of a regular revenue stream for local government too. Worry about the taxpayers, not your pensions. The regular revenue stream for CMPTF should be from the workers on the jobs now. This plan is to build a NEW, extra revenue stream.

Long-term economic stability is a but a dream here. Wave those red flags high when the plan hypes long-term and economics yet alone 'stability.' Will this plan create world peace too?

Local control is nice -- but this is really GOVERNMENT CONTROL of development options. I would much rather have GOVERNMENT CONTROL government functions and not have government play the role of development czar. Development should be driven by private investment money.

First commercial jetpack to go on sale for £50,000 | Mail Online

First commercial jetpack to go on sale for £50,000 | Mail Online: "A company is set to produce the first commercial JETPACKS - and one could be yours for just £50,000.The traffic jam-beating packs will be manufactured after a multi-million pound deal was signed with an international aircraft company this week.
Martin Aircraft Company, in Christchurch, New Zealand, aims to make 500 packs"

Pot holes? No worries.

A Sleeping Giant Awakens -- perhaps -- from a sidelined, silent state when told to freeze out

We've got our problems in Pittsburgh. Some are epic. Furthmore, a few of them are complex. And as the city has been on the brink for some years now, I've been astonished at how little the folks at CMU and Pitt have done with the city and for the city.

I'm not talking about PILOT funding of city services. CMU and Pitt should not be paying a tuition tax.

The type of help I have been seeking has been absent, mostly. I've been looking for professors and grad students to awaken in serious ways to help fix the city.

Sure, some things have happened. But, few. Bill Peduto did a CMU web BBS thingie on a couple of different instances. They both imploded, became out of date, and served as a drag. Archives vanished. Some electronic voting and cyber option focus groups sprang to life with a conference or two as well. The grand eletronic voting machines, not iTronics nor Debolt, with open source and off-the-shelf hardware is still just a pipe dream.

Then there was the Pirates. CMU put in some cash and owned part of the baseball team for a while some years ago. That's when the losses seemed to came at a fever pitch.

CMU did save Schenley Golf Course, I think. Ball sports are not a strength of CMU, it seems.

Now, after being told to hold spring break in the middle of a ski jump also known as Forbes Ave, the giant of CMU is starting to push its nose into the realm of city dealings and solution crunching. GREAT. Bring it on. We want the creative problem solvers to care about the city and do things in the public realm in earnest.

CMU's Priya Narasimhan "loves this city." She worked with CMU students and created the "smart football " http://www.footballtracking.org/ and other kwel gizmos, http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/01/students-using/.

This week they put up a snow status site after pulling two all-nighters.

Go to the site, http://www.cityzenmobile.net, to
report road conditions and snow removal progress. Priya invites all to take a look and add your insights.

Details

Fifth Ave:

* Will be used as the staging area for all marked police and public safety vehicles.
* The staging area on Fifth will be starting at Bellefield Ave and proceeding west until at least Craft Ave if not further.
* Fifth Ave will be closed starting at 10:00AM till 12:30 PM at which time the west bound curb lane will be open for traffic until 15:00 hours, at which time the funeral processions will begin.
* Allegheny County Port Authority will close outbound bus traffic on Fifth Avenue and move bus operations to Forbes Avenue outbound at 09:30 AM.
* Inbound bus traffic will turn right on Bellefield, then left on Bayard, then left onto Bigelow, crossing Fifth and Forbes and accessing The Boulevard of the Allies through Schenley Park.
* Cross over streets for Fifth Avenue are: Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard; Fifth and Meyran Avenues; and Fifth Avenue and McKee Place.

Funeral Procession Route

• Leave City-County Building on Grant Street
• Take Grant to Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway
• Exit busway at Neville Street ramp
• Neville Street to Fifth Avenue
• Right onto Fifth Avenue
• Right onto DeSoto Street
• Left onto Terrace Street
• Right onto Sutherland Drive, to the Petersen Center

* All three processions will stage on Sutherland Drive

Petersen Event Center

* The Honor Guard will bear the fallen Officers across the patio to Concourse A entrance.
* All uniformed officers attending the funeral will stage on the patio of the Petersen Event Center on Allequippa from Sutherland Drive to the driveway of Sutherland Hall and also in F Lot.
* City of Pittsburgh Police Mobile Command Post will be staged in the loading dock area.

Allequippa Street

* Closed from entrance of OC Lot, east to University Drive at 08:00 AM.

Robinson Street

* From Wadsworth to Center Avenue, both sides of the street will be used as the staging area for buses that will bring Pipe Bands, Color Guards, and transportation for out of town Officers.

Pitt Police Traffic Posts

* Darragh at Victoria
* Darragh at Terrace
* Darragh at Allequippa
* Entrance to OC Lot at Allequippa
* Top of OC Lot driveway (Officer will stage family vehicles)
* Allequippa and University Drive
* Terrace and Sutherland
* Allequippa and Center
* O'Hara and Desoto
* Six Motor Cycles for escorts

It is a great idea to use the busway in moving from Downtown to Oakland.

I expect that the events at the Pete will be carried on local TV or cable, right?

School Districts Paying Double At Pump - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Target 11: School Districts Paying Double At Pump - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh Target 11: School Districts Paying Double At Pump
PITTSBURGH -- Are local school districts being taken for a ride when it comes to filling up their school buses?
Target 11 investigator Karen Welles crunched some numbers to find out.
It cost $4.31 a gallon to fill up almost every school bus in Allegheny County when the price at the pump is about $2.00 a gallon.
Why so much more?