 | NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA (October 10, 2000) It’s a question more and more drivers seem to be asking these days: “What do those signs that say ‘red detour’, ‘black detour’ ‘blue detour’, ‘green detour’ mean?” The answer is simple. The signs have been put up to help direct traffic around a crash or other emergency that might close the interstate.
PennDOT has completed the installation of the “color detour signs” along the most heavily traveled section of Interstate 81 in Northeastern Pennsylvania, between the Hazleton Exit (Exit 40) in Luzerne County and the Waverly Exit (Exit 59) in Lackawanna County. You’ll notice the signs at many of the interstate exits, and along state roadways that run parallel to the interstate.
The colored detour signs permanently mark detour routes that are able to accommodate the larger trucks that normally travel the interstates. The route were predetermined by PennDOT, State Police and other emergency response agencies. “Blue” and “black” detours generally run northbound, “red” and “green” detours generally run southbound.
PennDOT Traffic Engineer Bob Kretschmer said, “The detours are designed to take traffic around any emergency that might block the interstate. In case of such an emergency, interstate traffic will be advised to follow either the red, black, blue or green detour.”
Drivers will be notified the detour is in effect in several ways. Before each color signed detour, there is a special sign that is normally folded over. If the interstate were blocked ahead, authorized personnel would be able to open the sign that will direct traffic to follow the appropriate color detour. Drivers will also be notified of the detour route by way of PennDOT’s electronic message signs along the interstate. Highway Advisory Radio stations, scheduled to be in operation next year, will also advise drivers of the detour ahead and of which color signs they should follow.
Kretschmer added, “The idea of the color detour signs is to quickly direct traffic off the interstate in times of emergency closures. The color detour routes can be put into use in a moment’s notice and will help police, emergency crews and PennDOT handle traffic diversions more efficiently and safely.” |