Fewer people expected to travel this Labor Day - phillyBurbs.com
Last year during the Labor Day holiday, 23 people died and countless others were injured on Pennsylvania highways.
With that in mind, the Pennsylvania DUI Association is warning motorists that extra police officers, including those in Northampton, will be out looking for drunken drivers.
"Everyone enjoys the holiday, but we just want everyone to be safe," Northampton police Chief Barry Pilla said.
AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts 424,000 Philadelphia area residents will travel 50 miles or more from home. Last year, an estimated 468,000 Philadelphia-area travelers hit the roads, according to AAA. That's about a 2.3 percent decrease from 2010, AAA says.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, it remains to be seen how many people will leave areas that were evacuated just a few days ago.
"AAA is projecting a decrease in the number of Labor Day travelers as some Americans react to recent economic uncertainty and increasing air fares," AAA spokeswoman Jenny Robinson said. "While automobile travel is expected to increase slightly, if recent declines in gasoline prices continue through Labor Day, we could see an increase in last-minute holiday weekend travel."
Because Hurricane Irene forced the closure of numerous roads, Robinson is asking motorists to make sure their routes are open before departing.
"Most Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware tourist areas were spared and are ready for business," Robinson said. "We recommend that travelers check to make sure that their destination is unaffected."
AAA spokesman Jim Lardear said Route 322 eastbound in Hamilton Township, a main road to Jersey Shore points, is still closed due to flooding in New Jersey.
He strongly suggests Shore goers go to www.511nj.org to check road conditions before departing.
Once you get there, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Resources says the 127-mile coastline came through the hurricane in good condition due to previous beach replenishment and dune restoration.
"Lots of dollars are at stake so beach crews are already pushing the sands Hurricane Irene carved out back into place. The good news is that most of New Jersey's flooded rivers are receding," Lardear said.
In Pennsylvania, all major roads are open, said PennDOT spokesman Charles Metzger.
"There are several roads in Upper Bucks closed, but they should not really hinder travel to the Poconos, unless you want to take the scenic route," he said.
River Road is closed between Aquetong and Windy Bush roads, both in Solebury, and it also is closed between Laurel Road and Upper York Road, also in Solebury, Metzger said.
In Tinicum Township, River Road is closed between Cafferty Road and Dark Hollow roads due to flooding, Metzger said.
To ease traffic, PennDOT, as always, will cease all construction and maintenance work beginning tonight until Tuesday morning, Metzger added.
If you do travel this Labor Day, it will cost you more. While gasoline prices have dropped a bit, they are still on average 88 cents higher than a year ago. The national average for a gallon of unleaded regular gas is now about $3.58.
One reason people are not flying as much is likely a 13 percent increase in airfares, Robinson said.
She said 1.9 percent fewer people will travel by air this Labor Day. Almost 2.5 million (8 percent of holiday travelers) will fly this Labor Day.
01 Sep, 2011--
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