If balloon lighting is aimed toward the road, it can blind a driver at night.

Route 6 that runs through the northern tier of Pennsylvania has always been known as “Scenic Route 6″ in travel brochures and in general conversation. It was a route taken by travelers and visitors to avoid the heavier traffic of interstate roads and to enjoy the slower pace and country scenes that this area offers. Traveling the length of Pennsylvania, Route 6 starts at the New York/Pennsylvania border on the east and ends at Lake Erie to the west. National Geographic has named it one of America’s most scenic drives. The Pennsylvania Tourist Association has called it a “magical and tranquil highway.”

In his travel article, “Erie, Pennsylvania: West Anchor of Scenic Route 6″ Robert Haru Fisher wrote in July, 2006, “It was a distinct pleasure driving for miles without seeing a billboard, on a free public highway at that. Better yet, west of Scranton the road was mine alone for miles on end…”

What has happened in just a few years? Our own beautiful “Scenic Route 6″ has become the dust bowl of the east, congested with traffic. Right here in Bradford County, where once Fisher could see some great scenery, dust and dirt cover the road so thick that it has begun to infiltrate the air. Travel brochures recommend traveling Route 6 by bicycle, but the quality of the air has become choking at best.

This flagman for Heckley's Flag Service sets up and takes down his signs, displaying them only when he is there to direct traffic at the entrance to a gas well site in Tioga County along Route 6.

What kind of beautiful scenic view do travelers have now? The road between Luthers Mills and West Burlington, especially, has become so thick with dust from truck traffic in and out of side dirt roads, driveways, and stone quarries. It has affected lungs and eyes, and has even infiltrated the inside of buildings close to the road. The air quality along Route 6 has been violated, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. According to Warren Knapp, general manager at Penn DOT, DEP is working on the problem, but it takes time.

One of the road hazards brought about by the constant in and out of trucks at stone quarries is that large rocks sometimes fall from trucks loaded with stone, unnoticed by the drivers. But motorists notice them when they come into contact with them! By law dump trucks are required to have their loads covered, but that doesn’t prevent some of the smaller rip rap from falling, especially when trucks first leave the quarry.

Scenic Route 6 in Tioga County

It isn’t just the change in scenery that has become a problem with the excessive dust and dirt accumulating along Route 6. When that fine layer of dust and dirt becomes wet, mixed with the oil on the pavement surface, it becomes a skating rink. Vehicles having to make sudden stops are likely to slide and may not be able to stop in time to avoid an accident. This is especially true of areas where there are curves and knolls, blinding drivers to what’s ahead.

Another dangerous blinding problem is the night use of extremely bright construction flood lights or balloon lighting, that are sometimes angled toward oncoming traffic. Coming around a corner, a driver is suddenly blinded by the light. The pupils in the eyes shrink to limit the amount of light coming in. As the driver naturally looks away, it takes a little while for the pupils to dilate again to adjust to the darkness. Essentially, the driver is driving “blind” for a few seconds. This doesn’t sound like it could be dangerous, but it takes only a few seconds for an accident to happen.

Orange triangle road signs warn motorists of road construction and a flagman who isn't there.

The special night lighting is approved by Penn DOT, but not if it causes a visual problem for drivers. Knapp asks motorists to notify them if they see any that are aimed wrong, glaring in their field of vision. Motorists can call 1-800-FIXROAD to report any road problems.

The number of “construction” areas has also become a hazard. Drivers are constantly being bombarded with “road construction” and “flagman ahead” signs. The reality is that there really isn’t any road construction! These are supposed to be short term signs, which are allowed for up to 24 hours, according to Knapp. Escort services who use them are supposed to have them set up only when their flagmen are working there. Unfortunately not all of the companies act responsibly.

Hopefully this excessive dirt on Route 6 will be cleaned up before it makes winter driving even more hazardous.

Flagmen are waiting at certain points to stop traffic when trucks are entering or exiting the road. There is no crime here, as these flagmen are legal, and the agenda is for safety sake. The problem is that drivers are becoming so used to the road signs that often are left set up after they are no longer needed. Human nature is such that we tend to disregard those messages. But when there is a real construction flag man, and actual road work, we can only hope the driver is aware of the difference and stops or slows down in time.

Penn DOT is preparing for another winter. “I absolutely dread those first two storms,” said Knapp. “The first couple of storms are the hardest.”

Excessive dust from Route 6 infiltrates indoors covering food items.

He asks motorists to mind the road conditions and remember to slow down and anticipate stops. “You can’t drive like it’s dry pavement.”

Many people think having four wheel drive on their vehicles makes them safer on the roads. Knapp disagrees. “It may help you in going but it’s of no value with stopping,” said Knapp. “On ice or in slush, it doesn’t matter how many wheels you have driving.”

“As winter comes on, be conscientious of activities as you are driving around. Truck drivers are professional operators, but they need more stopping distance,” said Knapp. “Everyone has to cooperate and get through winter safely. We all have a stake in driving safely.” All the more reason for truck drivers to slow down as they drive through some of the small towns like Burlington and Sylvania, where there are no traffic lights.

This dump truck carried a load of rip rap stone uncovered.

Most of us have loved ones who travel Route 6, whether it be to visit during this holiday season, or who travel it daily to and from work. Be careful! Much more caution is needed now than a few years ago when the road was “…mine alone for miles on end.”

And it would be interesting to know how many National Geographic photographers have been to northeast Pennsylvania recently.