Road Work Season Underway

  Spring officially arrived over the weekend.    One sure sign that winter is over is that  road construction projects  are springing  up all over the region .
       
     Monday's rain may have delayed the actual start of construction  along Interstate  99,
but signs are in place  that can be quickly uncovered.   Area motorists can expect to run into plenty of road work in the days ahead.  The orange and white construction barrels have started to decorate the sides of major roadways in  the region.
      The lane restrictions already in place  on Route 22  are part of a multi-year  road improvement project.  The effort calls for  patching and overlay work that is expected to  lead to a smoother and safer driving surface for years to come.
      Especially when it comes to relatively newer highways,  including  Route 22  and  I-99,   some motorists question the need for  the extensive highway repairs.
      But Penn-DOT says this sort of work needs to be done to keep the roads from wearing out long before their time.
      While there will be  plenty of short term pain for motorists as the construction season moves into high gear, the people behind the effort are convinced there will be an eventual pay-off.
       Especially when motorist come upon a new  or unfamiliar work zone,  Penn-DOT officials say it makes a lot of sense to slow down and proceed with caution.
     With the amount of construction work planned for the coming season,  drivers  are advised early to start practicing patience.