Latest news with #Turnpike
The Irish Sun
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I had a close call in alligator capital of the world with fantastic resort, great activities & €291 Aer Lingus flights
WHEN you think of a holiday to Florida you conjure up images of rollercoasters and incredible rides galore — but what if I told you that adrenaline junkies can get their fix outside of the major theme parks? With my bags packed to the brim and waivers signed, I hop on an Advertisement 4 Lauren enjoyed a night-time paddleboarding session with Epic Paddle Credit: 4 Before a close call with a gator 4 The Ritz Carlton is a great resort that's more than two times the size of Dublin's St Anne's Park Credit: PR Handout image I've been to The closest I get to After a not-so-early night at the five-star Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Often called 'the Alligator Capital of the World' Gatorland is a 110-acre wildlife and theme park located just south of Advertisement READ MORE IN TRAVEL The park is not only a After meeting the team, I get suited and booted for ziplining with a major twist. The Screamin' Gator Zip Line does what it says on the tin as I hold on for dear life 1,200 feet above alligators and crocodiles. Delighted with myself, I decide it's time to relax for a bit while looking at the reptiles from a very safe distance. Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Breaking But I am so wrong. Next up, it's off to venture into an alligator pit for feeding time. As Gatorland's Brandon Fisher closes the gate behind us he shouts: 'Bogie, Turnpike, Buddy… let's go, let's go!' And like a scene from ADVENTURE RIDE I put my hand into a bucket of chicken legs and hope that the gators would be more interested in those ones over my own. Advertisement After all that excitement, it's now off to the Stompin' Gator Off-Road Adventure ride, and a 12-foot-high custom-made monster truck takes us around the swamps and we meet some wacky characters on the way. After working up an appetite, we go to the on-site cafe to try some gator bites. They are surprisingly nice and At this point, Brandon is quick to let us know that we aren't eating Turnpike's friends. The gator bites are actually shipped in from elsewhere. We leave Gatorland and head for a guided airboat ride through Orlando's wetlands. Advertisement The Spirit of the Swamp trip is an excellent whistle-stop tour of Florida's Everglades — Captain Dale helps us search for gators in the wild and we spot a rare bald eagle sitting in a tree on the way back. The next morning the group head to Harry P Leu Gardens for the Origami in the Garden experience. SPIRIT OF THE SWAMP The outdoor exhibition showcases over 20 monumental metal sculptures inspired by the The unique sculptures, crafted from aluminum, bronze and steel, bring to life intricate designs of butterflies, ponies and winged horses and celebrate themes of transformation and harmony with nature. Advertisement And as we walk through the serene spot that feels like Snakes — as they rustle through the grass near the trees. We also spot baby turtles having some fun in the sun on a lake. In the evening, we dine at Russell's on Lake Ivanhoe before a night-time paddleboarding session with Epic Paddle. Advertisement With blue and red lights on our boards, we tread water in the dark passing under city bridges and take amazing photos. Afterwards, we go back to the Ritz Carlton's Club Lounge for a few Whispering Angels to finish up the day. RESORT PERKS Born and raised in North Dublin, I feel like Annie staying in Daddy Warbuck's house for a few days. With its own waterpark, luxury swimming pools, golf course, spa with a robot masseuse, fishing, bikes, tennis courts, pickleball, falconry experiences, eco-tours, sunrise safaris and top restaurants, you don't need to leave the resort that's more than two times the size of Dublin's St Anne's Park. Advertisement But there's one activity I'll remember forever — kayaking at the resort's beautiful Shilling Creek. After a trial run on land, our activity leader warns that we might meet 'Mrs Margaret' — a six-foot alligator that hangs around the creek. At this point, I think that Margaret is like the Boogieman, either she didn't exist or we wouldn't see her. But I was wrong again. I hop in the boat and float downstream. All is going well until I start to head for the marsh and get stuck. Advertisement FACT FILE GET THERE: Aer Lingus operates daily flights from Dublin to Orlando International Airport. Fares start from €291pp each way as part of a return journey, including taxes and charges. STAY THERE: The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Hotel May rate for standard RC room €476.01 (incs Club access). DO THERE: Try paddleboarding with Epic Paddle Adventures: €55 ($65) Take a spin on The Orlando Eye: €25 for an adult ticket online ($29.99). A day ticket for Gatorland to see Turnpike and his pals: €29.82+tax ($34.99+tax). Ziplining price includes full day in the park: €59.66 ($69.99+tax) per person. Spirit of the Swamp airboat ride — one-hour private airboat tour: €46.88 ($55pp). Harry P. Leu Gardens, adult ticket: €12 ($15. Trying not to panic, I hear a big splash. I hit 'Mrs Margaret' with my kayak. In mating season. She freaks, and ventures under the water. At this stage, I think I'm a goner. The kayak moves downstream, and I don't know where Margaret is until I see her in the flesh on the other side of the creek as if nothing had ever happened. Maybe my late granny Margaret was with me. I am just lucky I didn't meet her pal, 'Dinosaur', on the golf course. While it was certainly a trip I'll never forget, I'll leave you with this advice: 'How do you know there's an alligator in the water in Florida? If it's wet, then yes.' Advertisement 4 Lauren went to Gatorland, a 110-acre wildlife and theme park
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Turnpike to introduce gantries at toll stations
Drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike have probably seen some changes on the side of the road recently, and those changes are just the first of many over the next few years. "I think a lot of folks are questioning, 'What the heck are you guys building?'" said Crispin Havener, assistant press secretary for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. "'What are these things that are over the turnpike now?'" Those things, resembling large stanchions that extend over the road from a small hut on the side of the road, are called gantries, and they will essentially become the replacement for the toll booths that have occupied the interchanges on and off the turnpike for the last eight-plus decades. "All the E-Z Pass equipment, all the Toll By Plate equipment will be moved over on these gantries, essentially allowing you to travel at highway speeds," said Havener. The addition of the gantries will take place over the next couple of years. This new technology allows the turnpike to operate on Open Road Tolling, which means no more toll booths or bottlenecks at lanes entering or exiting the highway. The toll booths on this side of the state are expected to be completely removed by the end of 2028, and the interchanges will be reconfigured for better traffic flow. "We're able to collect the tolls as you're travelling that highway speed, rather than through the traditional toll booth method we've had, for now almost 85 years," said Havener. "This would make it easier for traveling as you would normally. "We'll be able to track whether your E-Z Pass transponder or your Toll By Plate, if you don't have an E-Z Pass, and be able to collect our toll that way." Essentially, the equipment from the gantries will read the E-Z Pass transponder, or license plates for Toll By Plate drivers, and transmit that information to the adjacent hut. Then, through a new fiber network that's being built subsequently with the gantries, that information will be sent back to their operations hub in Harrisburg. This system was implemented earlier this year on the eastern side of the Commonwealth, outside Reading, and along the Northeast Extension. The goal is to fully launch the program in western Pennsylvania by January 2027. Havener said, so far, the results have gone as smoothly as expected. "This is kind of a two-decade-long journey that began with the original launch of E-Z Pass," he said. "Now, it has brought us to the modern day, where we are very excited to see how this goes in the west."
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Perth Amboy man injured in motorcycle crash on New Jersey Turnpike in Woodbridge
WOODBRIDGE –A 38-year-old Perth Amboy man sustained serious injuries in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike early on July 12. State Troopers responded around 12:51 a.m. on July 12, 2025, to a report of a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike North at the Interchange 11 ramp, authorities said. More: North Plainfield woman rescued from roof of burning home An investigation found that Ray Marmolejo-Castro was traveling in a Ducati motorcycle northbound on the Interchange 11 ramp when he lost control and veered off the roadway, struck a metal post, and overturned, police said. Marmolejo-Castro was ejected and sustained serious injuries, authorities said. The crash remains under investigation, and no additional information is available at this time, police said. Email: alewis@ Alexander Lewis is an award-winning reporter and photojournalist whose work spans many topics. This article originally appeared on Perth Amboy NJ man injured in motorcycle crash on New Jersey Turnpike
CBS News
28-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
West Virginia mudslide strands thousands on highway for more than 8 hours
Thousands of motorists were stranded for more than eight hours along a section of rural interstate highway in southern West Virginia early Friday after a mudslide caused by heavy rains blocked a storm drain the previous night, flooding and completely shutting down the northbound lanes. Traffic backed up for 12 miles along the West Virginia Turnpike about 20 miles south of Charleston, the state capital. Traffic was not rerouted, and many motorists along the mountainous route had no choice but to remain in their vehicles overnight. In this image provided by Nicky Walters, traffic is shown at a standstill Friday, June 27, 2025, along the West Virginia Turnpike south of Sharon, West Virginia. Nicky Walters via AP One lane eventually opened in the early morning of Friday but traffic remained a standstill afterwards for hours, according to a statement provided to CBS News by West Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson Jennifer Dooley. "Traffic should have been detoured to allow drivers an alternate route around the mudslide," Executive Director of the Parkways Authority Chuck Smith said in the statement. "The Parkways Authority takes full responsibility for the failure to reroute traffic, and would like to assure the public that this will never happen again. No injuries were reported, Smith said, adding that the Parkways Authority is "examining and revising its policies on Turnpike closures and detours as a result of this incident." Motorists posted on social media that they had no information on why the standstill occurred, that they had nothing to drink in their vehicles or that their children needed to use the bathroom. Nicky Walters said in a telephone interview that she felt fortunate while she was stuck because she is healthy, did not not need medicine and had nobody she was responsible for caring for. "But I felt desperate because I knew that other people needed help," said Walters, who became stranded while returning to Charleston from a pro wrestling event in Mount Hope. "People needed, at minimum, water bottles passed out and some snacks, much less information. They needed any lifeline to the outside world, and there was none." By the time Brittany Lemon and her family finally got home to Parkersburg, 24 hours had passed since they began returning from their vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In a video posted to Facebook, Lemon said she had no water and her children needed to use the bathroom. They were able to get an hour's sleep while stuck on the highway. "Definitely next year when I go back, I'll be prepared for an emergency in the vehicle," she said. Mitch Carmichael, a former cabinet secretary of the Department of Economic Development, said on Facebook that he was on the turnpike "for hours with no relevant or timely info as to when issue will be cleared." He called it "incredibly unprofessional" for the public to be left in the dark and said it gives West Virginia "a terrible image." Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement that the shutdown "was completely unacceptable. I have directed the Parkways Authority to immediately conduct an investigation and revise its procedures as necessary as a result of this incident." The turnpike shutdown came as much of the Eastern U.S. suffered through days of dangerous heat this week before the latest storms battered West Virginia. The state's Emergency Management Division on Thursday posted a photo of a measuring tape in floodwaters with the caption, "From 'dry as a bone to 5 inches' in 45 minutes this evening in the Elm Grove area." On June 14, nine people, including a 3-year-old, died when as much as 4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within 40 minutes. In February, West Virginia was hit with heavy rains and dangerous flooding that left at least three people dead and caused millions of dollars in damage.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
PHOTOS: The opening round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club
Golf PHOTOS: The opening round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Bryson DeChambeau reacts after missing a putt on the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Crowds cross the Pa. Turnpike at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Fans work to cross a pedestrian bridge over the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 for the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. J.J. Spaun at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA J.J. Spaun reacts after chipping in for birdie on the 10th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Phil Mickelson reacts after missing a putt on the 10th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Jordan Spieth at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Mike Darnay / KDKA Jordan Spieth smiles while walking off of the 9th green at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 for the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Andrew Novak at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Andrew Novak hits out of a ditch along the 9th fairway at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 for the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Justin Rose at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Justin Rose acknowledges the fans on the 10th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Matt Vogt at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Matt Vogt walks to the green on the 14th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Rory McIlroy looks on from the 10th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Evan Beck at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Evan Beck hits out of a bunker on the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Tom Kim at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Tom Kim walks onto the green on the 10th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. The crowd at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA The crowd looks on at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Xander Schauffele at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Xander Schauffele and his caddie, Austin Kaiser walk to the 9th green at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Shane Lowry at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Shane Lowry lines up a putt on the 10th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Rough scores at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA A walking scoreboard shows scores for Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, and Rory McIlroy at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 for the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Wyndham Clark at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Wyndham Clark prepares to hit a shot on the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. The 18th hole at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Fans crowd around the 18th green at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 for the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Tommy Fleetwood at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Tommy Fleetwood looks on from the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Si Woo Kim at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Si Woo Kim flashes a smile on the 10th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Matt Fitzpatrick at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Matt Fitzpatrick gives a thumbs up on the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Gary Woodland at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Gary Woodland walks to the green on the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 in the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. The 9th hole at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Mike Darnay / KDKA Fans cross the 9th fairway at Oakmont Country Club on June 12th, 2025 for the opening round of the 125th U.S. Open Championship.
