
Detours in place for Lewis Township bridge
LEWIS TOWNSHIP — Detours are in place due to a bridge construction project on a section of Kaiser Run Road (T-341) in Lewis Township.
The project starts March 10. The roadway will be closed to through traffic during construction, which is expected to last for approximately two months. Motorists should follow the posted detour routes during this time.
The bridges are being replaced as part of a larger multi-municipal bridge improvement program being facilitated by Union County that will replace six locally owned bridges that are in poor condition in five partnering municipalities. The project is made possible through Multimodal Transportation Fund grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
— JUSTIN STRAWSER
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
County identifies top crash areas in new plan to eliminate fatalities
After researching transportation trends for the past eight months, the Crawford County Planning Office's new initiative puts the county on the fast track for better safety. Its goal is to eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries on county roadways by 2035. Between 2019 and 2023, the county experienced 3,675 crashes on non-interstate roads with 220 incidents resulting in fatal or serious injuries, according to planning office data. The driving force behind the goal came from the county's current comprehensive plan, adopted in 2024, known as Crawford Inspired. To improve public health and quality of life in the area, the plan engaged various stakeholders and community members. Residents reported improved pedestrian, biking and road safety as a necessity. Now, the Safety Action Plan (SAP) provides a comprehensive strategy to enhance safety by identifying systemic safety challenges and 10 high-risk areas in the county. Then, it can establish clear implementation strategies. Crash data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) revealed that 82 percent of severe crashes in the county occurred on just 16 percent of roadways and interstates, leading to a much more location-focused plan of attack. By identifying the top crash locations — like State Route 18 in Conneaut Lake and State Route 27 in Titusville — the county can develop targeted countermeasures. Data also showed that speeding and alcohol impairment while driving were among the highest factors of severe crashes, and one group — motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and horse and buggies — were significantly overrepresented in severe crashes. That data will inform decisions down the road. 'We had a steering committee of 13 individuals including the townships association, boroughs association, CATA [Crawford Area Transportation Authority], folks from PennDOT, Ernst Trail group, the two cities had representation on it and this would allow us to move forward with unlocking some state and federal funding as well as addressing 10 of the most serious/fatal accident locations in Crawford County,' Planning Office Director Zachary Norwood explained to Crawford County commissioners during a work session Wednesday. Norwood told The Meadville Tribune that the plan is catered to adhere to the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. Established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, SS4A must appropriate $5 billion from 2022 to 2026 for regional and local initiatives that prevent roadway fatalities and injuries. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's website, $2 billion of that money remains up for grabs. 'We crafted a plan in alignment with that program to address the concerns and issues we are facing,' Norwood said, noting that there are state programs that they will be eligible for, too. 'We did a plan that will tackle lots of funding streams and give us the tools we need to be successful.' The road to success begins Wednesday as commissioners vote to adopt the plan and its goal. Then, the county will form an SAP coalition, invest in policy reforms and transportation planning, advance engineering projects, launch and support education and enforcement, and build capacity to implement the SAP through staffing and ensure accountability.


Newsweek
6 days ago
- Newsweek
Laws to Change for 9 Million Drivers this Week
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new law goes into effect this week in Pennsylvania that will make it illegal for drivers to hold a phone or other device while operating a vehicle. Why It Matters The new law addresses a safety concern that contributed to more than 11,000 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2023, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. That same year, there were 3,275 deaths tied to distracted driving across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pennsylvania's new hands-free driving law—officially known as Paul Miller's Law—will go into effect on Thursday, making it illegal for drivers to hold any electronic device while behind the wheel. The law, which Governor Josh Shapiro signed last year, aims to reduce distracted driving incidents throughout the state. There are 31 states across the country that have already implemented hands-free driving bans, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. What To Know Under the new Pennsylvania law, drivers are prohibited from holding any electronic device for calls, texting, emailing, or using the internet while driving. The new law states that even "supporting" a phone "with another part of the body" or "reaching" for a phone "in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position" will now be illegal in the Keystone State. A driver uses a cellphone while behind the wheel in New York City on April 30, 2016. A driver uses a cellphone while behind the wheel in New York City on April 30, are exceptions for emergency situations where contacting first responders is necessary but in other cases drivers must operate devices vocally via Bluetooth connections. State Senator Rosemary Brown, a Republican who sponsored the bill, told Newsweek in a statement on Monday that the law—named in memory of Paul Miller Jr, a Pennsylvanian who was killed in a crash involving a distracted driver in 2010—is a "major step forward in improving safety on Pennsylvania's roads." "This law is not about punishing drivers," Brown said. "It's about protecting every Pennsylvanian who gets behind the wheel or crosses the street. I'm grateful to PennDOT and all the dedicated partners who helped bring this legislation to the finish line." She said the law taking effect is "deeply meaningful and long overdue" after more than a decade of advocacy. A Pennsylvania state police spokesperson told Newsweek that Pennsylvanians are encouraged to use hands-free systems or voice-assist features while driving and explain to young drivers the risks and legal consequences of distracted driving. Joel Feldman, an advocate for ending distracted driving who founded the organization EndDD after his daughter Casey Feldman died in a crash involving a distracted driver, told Newsweek the law is a "start," but that there will continue to be "preventable" crashes involving distracted drivers. "Laws help, but will not effect the societal change necessary to make distracted driving socially unacceptable. We hate it when we see others driving distracted, yet we drive distracted," he said. "If we treated others the way we wanted to be treated we would not drive distracted." In total, 31 states fully ban holding phones while driving, while others may ban the use of phones while driving in certain situations, such as when driving through a school zone or for teenage drivers. All of Pennsylvania's neighbors also have handheld bans. Only one state—Montana—does not prohibit texting and driving. What People Are Saying Governor Shapiro wrote in a statement last year: "This commonsense, bipartisan legislation—passed and signed into law in honor of Paul Miller's legacy—empowers our state and local police to stop distracted driving and make our roads and communities safer. This law also increases transparency and ensures accountability at traffic stops while providing crucial public safety data to keep our roads safe. This is an example of what we can accomplish when we work together—senators and representatives from both parties came together to pass commonsense legislation that will save lives across Pennsylvania." Eileen Miller, mother of Paul Miller Jr, wrote in a statement: "My son did everything right—he was killed by someone else's unsafe choices behind the wheel. This law is for every family in Pennsylvania that doesn't have to experience two state troopers knocking on their door to tell them that their loved one was killed by distracted driving. Paul Miller's Law will be a beacon of protection for every driver and passenger in Pennsylvania." Feldman said: "Distracted driving is selfish and disrespectful and inconsistent with everyone's values. If we think about who we are, our values and the example we want to be for others, particularly our children, we would give up our driving distractions." What Happens Next Failure to comply with the law could result in a $50 fine. There will also be a one-year "warning period" as public officials and officers continue to educate the public and enforce the new hands-free law statewide.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Electric Car Secrets No One Talks About
Owning an EV can be like a marquee signing for your sports team; the right one is a game-changer. Nonetheless, we can agree there are many stories of woe out there. For instance, finding charging stations in some regions may cost multiple hours searching or waiting for a charge. Repeat this on a weekly basis, and you have a problem. It is an example of how, for some, buying an EV comes with hidden truths that might have discouraged them otherwise. Of course, some realities are manageable. However, even for the most diligent EV driver, there are unhidden truths — or costs — they didn't consider before buying. Put simply, knowing what to expect will help you avoid these pitfalls. The truth is king in this world, and we aim to bring full disclosure about the intricacies of EV ownership. There is a network of fantastic online commentators from the auto world whose opinions matter; we have looked at what they say on the matter. However, this insight also comes from the real owners in forums across the EV map. By scouring the virtual public square, we can garner what EV drivers are saying about buying, driving, and maintaining their EVs. What electric car secrets do people need to know? If you think an EV is your ticket to more on-road entitlements than gas-powered vehicle owners, think again. A 6abc Philadelphia story in April 2025 announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will now charge electric vehicle (EV) owners annual road taxes. While motorists have traditionally paid this at the pump, EV owners will pay a $200 fee, rising to $250 in 2026, states the news report. Until now, states have been experimenting with how they charge EV owners for federal transportation taxes, upping registration fees, for one. Others, like Pennsylvania, will instead charge higher taxes — more severe than gas-powered cars, in some cases. Consumer Reports found in January 2025 that proposed fees for 19 states were far more punitive for EV owners than gas-powered motorists. In general, EVs will save the owner money in the long term — roughly half, if this Forbes article can be believed. In contrast, parts can be a headache, costing more and being harder to locate for older models. An example is that tires on many EVs must contend with a far heavier battery, more torque, and quicker acceleration. According to Kelley Blue Book, EV tires wear out 20% faster than regular gas-powered car tires. 'Since there are fewer choices for electric vehicle tires,' reads the KBB guide, 'you will pay a higher price for four new tires.' It is something all prospective EV drivers should also know. While Lucid Air Grand Touring owners can boast 518 miles of range on a single charge, some EVs might only get you one-third of that. Obviously, you are asking for trouble going anywhere long-range without first mapping out the journey for charging stations. EV forums are awash with stories of getting almost stranded or doubling road trip times. Of course, Tesla is way ahead of the curve with its Go Anywhere road trip planning app, and things are improving all the time for others. Nonetheless, a 2024 PlugInAmerica survey found that public charging infrastructure was a concern for over half of the respondents. Even if you live in suburbia, you need a car that suits your medium-range needs, so buying a Fiat 500e would be brave. AutoWeb's Brady Holt reviewed the 2024 version. While he praised the car's performance, style, and comfort, he also gave it a revealing descriptor of 'errand-running range.' If you plan a daily commute on the Interstate, the chances are you will need to drive an average of 70 mph. Your Subaru Solterra's 228 upper range might be good on paper. As Car and Driver explains in its review, the reality is different: more like 200 miles. You've just got your new EV, so you get to charge it fully as soon as you get home. However, this would be bad advice, according to the consensus on charging matters. A SmartCharge guide explores the many nuances of EV battery care, not least choosing the right charging level for daily use. 'Rely on your private level 1 charger to charge overnight,' reads the post. 'If needed, use a level 2 or level 3 fast charging station to supplement your charge on the go.' Furthermore, newcomers must research their car's capabilities. Keeping the battery within the 20-80% rule is widely considered the best route to battery longevity. If you live in a large city, owning a vehicle, let alone an EV, can be very hard. It is possible for those with the capacity for home charging, and even some tower blocks might have subterranean charging ports. However, other owners have to get in line at their local charging stations, often for much longer than they want. It's easy for us, the gas-powered masses, to scoff at those EV advocates. Some might giggle at the images of people lining up at 11 pm for a charger, like this classic TikTok shot in Burbank, California. Let's not get too carried away because technology is improving fast, and those waiting times will fall soon. An argument you will often hear from EV-resistant debaters is that switching to EVs isn't as clean-energy-oriented as we might think. The hypothesis is that electricity generation has to come from somewhere, usually a fossil fuel. They would be half-right, too. A Department of Energy report shows that it depends on the quality of the energy used. For instance, a car charging on West Virginia's 86% coal-fired electricity will generate more emissions than one in California. The Golden State gets over half its power from renewables. California needs over one million public charging stations installed by 2030 to meet demand — a pipe dream, says Alejandro Lazo of CalMatters. There are several reasons EVs lose value so quickly compared to gasoline vehicles. Most importantly, EV technology makes such huge advances each year that even recent car models can look dated. Like a Hollywood starlet, an EV's visual appeal shelf life is fleeting, soon forgotten for a fresh-faced newcomer. A Motor1 post surfaced recently, revealing the 10 fastest-depreciating EVs in the US marketplace. Sadly for the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace, used buyer confidence must be low — we won't get into these reasons. Nevertheless, these EVs lose up to 72.5% on average over five years, which resembles a $51,953 difference in MSRP, according to the post. One day in the future, charging hubs might resemble the gas stations of today, though at least gas stations are plentiful. Most EV news hounds will have seen videos of charging station confrontations. One such video posted on X recently shows a skirmish between two Tesla drivers, one accusing the other of line jumping. Of course, these events aren't too common, and most visits to charging hubs will go swimmingly. However, as EV adoption rolls out across the country, we can probably expect to see more people go head-to-head in the pursuit of those sweet kilowatts. The Department of Energy predicts the need for 28 million charging stations by 2030, and the country is nowhere near this projection. What's more, an Axios report confirms that President Trump will be halting Federal spending on the previous administration's costly rollout. There appears to be no shortage of irony as an EV owner, including the fact that you probably cough up more than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle owners. A recent report from AAA unpacks why this is possibly the case. Higher vehicle value, more niche repair procedures, and unique risks like cybersecurity threats all contribute to these costs. What's more, replacing EVs isn't as simple as their analog cousins. Finding a spare part for a limited vehicle fleet makes replacements more expensive. It all makes grim reading for Tesla owners reeling from the recent spate of nationwide vandalism. Even those unaffected will feel the sting. Three out of five Tesla owners will pay an average of $340 increase per year, according to auto insurance firm Guardian Service. In the wise words of Joni Mitchell: 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone.' One must be careful not to just see greener grass across the river if their living situation doesn't allow it. Buying an EV could help you land in motoring Heaven or a logistical nightmare, depending on the approach and conditions. It's pertinent to navigate the real world with this understanding of what to expect. Of course, while these observations may seem anti-EV, this isn't the intention. We just want future EV owners to know what they may have in store. Happy charging.