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New Phone Service for Traffic Information
Some holiday weekend travelers wish they had known about 511 before we told them.
John Horridge and his dad, Leonard, took a rest from the road near Grantville. They're from Syracuse, bound for Maryland, and hit a snag on I-81 in Scranton.
"It took us about 3 and a half hours to go through there today," said John Horridge.
"I call it the barrel road myself," said John's dad, Leonard. "That's all there is is barrels and nobody's working on these roads. The equipment is off on the side. Did they get Friday off today in Pennsylvania?"
We do know PennDOT has been busy creating a new way to get the 411 on traffic delays. 511 is available online or on the phone. You can request conditions for a specific highway or interstate.
"We realized some time ago that we can't build our way out of congestion but what we can hope to do is give drivers the best information out there to help them make smart decisions and plan their travels ahead and that's what 511 does," said PennDOT spokesperson Steve Chizmar.
35 other states offer the service too.
"They have it around New York City, and it works beautiful," said Charlie Hoit, of Binghamton, NY. "It really does. I think it will work out for you."
Truck drivers said they like the idea.
"If it comes down to it, i'd call it and use it," said Joe March, a truck driver from Greensboro, NC. "I think it's a good idea."
As for the Syracuse guys stuck in Scranton, they'll probably be dialing their next visit.
"If I would have known about 511 when I hit Scranton, I would," Horridge said.
The state offers the service for free, though your cell phone company may charge you a fee. PennDOT reminds people, don't dial while driving. Pull over.
For more information, visit: www.511pa.com.
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