TANNERSVILLE -- If you drive Interstate 80 in the Poconos, you know traffic can be a major headache at times. Now PennDOT is installing a few new devices along that stretch of highway to try to manage traffic.
There are more eyes in the sky watching traffic along the I-80 corridor in the Poconos.
You may have noticed several big poles have been installed along the interstate. PennDOT officials believe it will improve traffic management between the Tannersville exit and the New Jersey state line. This stretch of highway constantly backs up.
"I take the scenic route," said John Rose of Tannersville. "The standard line we use is that the shortest distance between two points in the Poconos is not necessarily a straight line."
Three more cameras will oversee traffic, including one at the Route 33 interchange in Bartonsville.
"I do small jobs and go to a lot of different places during the day, and I know all the back roads so I can circumvent the traffic. It's an excellent idea," said Rose.
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Three message boards are also going up, along with beacon boards and radio transmitters, allowing PennDOT to get important travel advisories to drivers in real time.
The $1.7 million improvements are making drivers out and about in Bartonsville feel safer.
"Yes I am, yes I am," said Margret Woolard of East Stroudsburg. "I'm glad it stops traffic and makes traffic a little easier and safer."
The new traffic cameras aren't ready to go live just yet, but some drivers say they have a few concerns about these new eyes in the sky.
"Everybody's concerned about big brother and that. If you're following the rules, you don't have as much to worry about," said Jordan Trunk of Stroudsburg.
Drivers will be able to monitor everything from the traffic and weather conditions right from your smartphone or computer on www.511PA.com.
"Plan around the traffic, probably not so many accidents," said Woolard.
PennDOT plans to have the cameras go live sometime in early 2016.
And you can get highway information at WNEP's Traffic Tracker.