Happy Holidays and welcome to another edition of Northeast Notes! This a wonderful time of year, where we gather with loved ones and share in the joys of the season. Please remember to drive safely, practice common courtesy on the roads and in the stores, and remember that this is a time to be thankful for our blessings.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a happy and healthy New Year.

For all the latest news, stay in touch with me on the Internet through my Web site, on Facebook (search “Senator Mike Stack”) and on Twitter@SenMikeStack.
 

Paul’s Run Gets Grant for New Van

Residents at Paul’s Run now have a new bus to take them on necessary errands and social outings, thanks to a significant state grant.

Sen. Stack recently joined residents at the Bustleton retirement community to see how the new vehicle helps residents enjoy an active quality of life and to present Paul’s Run with the check to pay for the transit bus.

The new 23-foot transit bus seats 12 passengers with retractable seat belts, and can accommodate two wheelchairs. It has an electric entrance door and a fully automatic wheelchair lift with a Sure-Lok wheelchair restraint system.

The transportation department at Paul’s Run provides residents with daily trips, as well as transportation for medical appointments. The addition of this bus to the center’s fleet is a critical component for many residents’ quality of life. In October alone, approximately 95 residents utilized the transportation provided by the retirement community to go to medical appointments.

The $40,166 grant to purchase the bus was obtained by federal Section 5310 Grant Program, which provides grants to organizations that provide transportation to senior citizens, and is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Cottman-Princeton Interchange Project Update

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews are making progress on the Interstate 95 improvement project in Northeast Philadelphia. PennDOT representatives recently held a community meeting in Tacony to discuss the progress of the plans. Crews are currently working on the $31.9 million contract to improve several local streets, including State Road, Cottman Avenue and Princeton Avenue; build two new ramps at the interchange — a new ramp from State Road to I-95 South and a new northbound on-ramp from Milnor Street — and replace utility lines.

This first construction phase is scheduled to finish in May 2011.

PennDOT began construction in May 2009 on the first phase of the two-phase project to improve the interchange and the adjacent local street network.

Phase two is in final design and construction is expected to start in mid-2011, according to PennDOT. This phase consists of rebuilding 1.4 miles of I-95 between Levick and Bleigh streets; reconstructing seven bridges on I-95; eliminating lane drops on the highway; and adding a new southbound on-ramp from Cottman Avenue.

Check on the progress of the construction at 95revive.com
 

Boulevard Accident Reduction Initiative Receives New Funding

The Philadelphia Police Department recently received $199,978 in state grant funds for the Roosevelt Boulevard Accident Reduction Initiative. The grant will target traffic enforcement along 12.5 miles of Roosevelt Boulevard, from 9th Street to the county line. This is the seventh consecutive year that the initiative will receive this funding.

With this grant, PennDOT has awarded more than $1.8 million in grant funds to the city for Roosevelt Boulevard enforcement over the past seven years. In 2001, before this grant started, there were 21 fatalities on the boulevard. Last year, in 2008, there were five fatalities.

During the 2008-09 funding year, police officers monitoring the boulevard issued 4,339 tickets for traffic safety violations and arrested 39 people. They conducted 2,767 vehicle investigations and 212 pedestrian investigations and impounded 207 vehicles.
Our officers work hard every day to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians who use the boulevard. This new round of funding will help them to continue their fine work.