Fort Lauderdale, FL – The nation’s average price of gas fell for a third-consecutive week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The E.I.A. reports the average price of the nation’s gasoline dropped another 3 cents per gallon on the week. The national average price of a gallon of regular unleaded is now just below $2.30. As regions go, drivers in the Midwest enjoyed the biggest price break this week, with costs dropping over a nickel per gallon, on average.
The cost of diesel also gave up a shekel this week, according to the E.I.A. Diesel prices went down about a penny per gallon, on average, to dip to $2.56 per gallon.
Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.
Regional Gasoline Averages:
$2.678: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.483 PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.458: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.320: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.314: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.255: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.220: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.168: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.089: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Regional Diesel Averages:
$2.845: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.770: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.662: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.622: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.516: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.510: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.500: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.408: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – The nation’s average price of gas fell on the week, the second consecutive weekly decline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The 3.2¢ price drop was slightly higher than last week’s 3¢ price decline, bringing some relief to drivers who had been enduring weeks of increasing prices through the holidays. The national average price of a gallon of regular unleaded now stands at just under $2.33.
The cost of diesel also gave ground again this week, according to the E.I.A. Diesel prices went down more than 1-and-a-half cents. The national average now stands at about $2.57 per gallon.
Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.
Regional Gasoline Averages:
$2.676: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.492 PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.485: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.348: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.337: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.256: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.250: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.219: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.124: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Regional Diesel Averages:
$2.849: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.784: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.676: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.627: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.512: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.532: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.507: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.414: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.
Delaware River Bridge To Be Closed Indefinitely Due To Crack In Structure
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority are, jointly, warning drivers to expect “extreme delays” at crossings over the Delaware River due to the closure of the Delaware River Bridge. The bridge, which connects the New Jersey Turnpike to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, was closed Friday afternoon after a painting crew found a large crack in a support truss.
Officials with each state office were asking drivers to consider using public transit or carpooling to help reduce congestion. Authorities also have suggested people consider adjusting their work schedules, for those who can do so, or consider working from home, known in the tech world as telecommuting.
Updated Detours From State Officials In Pennsylvania And New Jersey
Meanwhile, authorities in both states listed an updated detour list, given the DRB is likely to remain closed for weeks to come. Essentially, drivers heading to New Jersey will be detoured off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 351, although local traffic will be permitted to access Exit 358, authorities with the PA Turnpike Commission announced. Meanwhile, drivers heading to Pennsylvania will be detoured off the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 7A.
The full set of detours released by the states’ respective commissions is as follows:
Motorists heading to New Jersey will be detoured at PA Turnpike Exit 351 to Route 1 northbound to I-95 northbound, which becomes I-295 southbound in New Jersey, to I-195 eastbound to the New Jersey Turnpike. PA Turnpike Exit #358, Delaware Valley, will remain open for local traffic only; watch out for a single-lane pattern approaching Delaware Valley.
Motorists heading to Pennsylvania will be detoured at New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 7A to I-195 westbound to I-295 northbound, which becomes I-95 southbound; or from New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 5 to Mount Holly Road. Motorists traveling from northern New Jersey are advised to exit at Interchange 14 and use I-78 west into Pennsylvania.
Bridge Analysis To Take Several Weeks
Engineers and construction crews worked through the weekend to stabilize the bridge at the site of the fracture; however, officials announced Saturday that a structural analysis of the bridge would take several weeks.
“A comprehensive bridge analysis will be performed to better understand the global impact the fracture has had on the entire bridge,” authorities announced in a news release. “Information gathered is critical to determine the scope of and strategy for a permanent repair and reopening the bridge to traffic.”
“Unfortunately, at a minimum, the bridge will remain closed for several weeks,” said New Jersey Turnpike Authority Executive Director Joseph W. Mrozek in a written statement. “We will not be able to reopen it until we are absolutely certain it is safe. All of the agencies and contractors involved will be working urgently to make that happen as quickly as possible.”
The bridge has been undergoing a $61-million rehabilitation since 2012, according to officials, with in-depth inspections of the structure every two years. The $400-thousand cost is shared between the PTC and the NJTA, although the New Jersey Turnpike Authority manages the contract.
Sean Logan, chairman of the PA Turnpike Commission, said the most likely cause of the crack was rapidly-changing weather conditions, but that a complete analysis was prudent and necessary, aside simply assessing the fracture’s impact on the bridge.
“We are stabilizing the bridge now to prevent further movement,” Logan wrote. “However, out of an abundance of caution and to protect traveler safety, the bridge must remain closed until a full-scale analysis and repair plan have been completed.”
The four-lane bridge opened in 1956 and carries about 42,000 vehicles per day across the Delaware River.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Traffic Rerouted at East Terminus
Drivers On New Jersey Turnpike’s Pearl Harbor Memorial Extension Also Impacted
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and New Jersey Turnpike Authority have announced the Delaware River Bridge between Pennsylvania and New Jersey will remain closed for as long as two weeks, and perhaps longer, while a structural assessment is performed on the span, the commission announced late Saturday. Both agencies, which jointly own and maintain the span, decided to close the bridge Friday after a crack was discovered in one of the bridge trusses. New Jersey Turnpike officials closed the westbound lanes of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Extension, as well, which connects the mainline of the NJ Turnpike to the DRB.
Stabilization work continues to enhance the structure of the bridge; however, authorities announced Saturday, in a written news release, a full assessment must be completed to determine how the truss defect has impacted the remainder of the bridge structure. “Due to the significant fracture, stresses have been redistributed to other parts of the bridge,” said PA Turnpike Chief Engineer Brad Heigel. “We regret the inconvenience of closing the bridge, however, it is necessary to properly evaluate the bridge’s current condition and determine next steps to ensure the safety to our customers.”
Authorities said the two-week assessment may take longer, depending on what authorities are able to learn. “Until more is understood about the damage, it is not possible to estimate how many days or weeks the bridge will need to be closed while the permanent fix is made,” officials wrote.
Officials with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority released an advisory that notified media and the public the repair of the structure will involve the construction of eight towers to help temporarily support the weight of the bridge. “Jacks will be used to attempt to lift the structure back into its original position,” the NJ Turnpike Authority announced in its advisory. “Sensors will be installed to enable engineers to monitor the load at key points on the structure.”
The fracture was discovered on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River Bridge during a routine check of the span by a painting crew on Friday.
The 1.2-mile span opened in 1956. About 42-thousand vehicles cross the span each day, according to officials with the agencies.
Eastbound Detour (Pennsylvania to New Jersey)
PA Turnpike motorists heading east into New Jersey should use this revised alternate route: Exit at the Bensalem Interchange, #351 in Bucks County. Follow U.S. Route 1 north, to I-95 north, to I-295, south, to I-195 east. Take Exit 6 on I-195, and reenter the NJ Turnpike. Source: PA Turnpike Commission.
Westbound Detour (New Jersey to Pennsylvania)
NJTP drivers heading west into Pennsylvania will need to use either Interstate 78, Interstate 295, or the Burlington-Bristol Bridge. Source: New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
*Report released January 17, 2017 due to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – The price of gas finally turned downward during the past week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s weekly price survey. The E.I.A. report shows the cost of regular unleaded notched 3¢ lower, on average, to settle at $2.36 per gallon. Regional prices across the West and Rocky Mountains, however, did not fall on the week, according to the E.I.A. All other regions enjoyed noticeable declines in fuel prices, with the volatile Midwest markets gaining the most: a 6¢ average price drop.
The cost of diesel also gave ground this week, according to the E.I.A. Diesel prices went down just over a penny per gallon. The national average now stands at about $2.59 per gallon.
Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.
Regional Gasoline Averages:
$2.683: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.504: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.490 PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.374: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.357: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.283: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.282: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.264: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.142: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Regional Diesel Averages:
$2.855: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.804: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.675: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.636: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.541: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.538: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.511: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.429: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.
Overnight Closures To Accommodate New Construction
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced late Friday they would be closing I-276, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, for six hours the morning of Saturday, January 14, and Sunday, January 15, from 12:01 a.m. until 6 a.m. between Exit 351 and Exit 358. Officials stated the closures were necessary for construction workers to safely install new bridge supports and beams on a bridge at mile marker 356.6.
Authorities at the PA Turnpike Commission said they had marked alternate driving routes for eastbound and westbound travel, and officials said in a written release that state police and turnpike personnel would be directing traffic through the weekend’s overnight closures.
For drivers, the following detours will apply:
Eastbound Detour
Take U.S. Route 1 south to State Route 132 east, to U.S. Route 13 north. Reenter the Turnpike at the Delaware Valley Interchange, Exit 358.
Westbound Detour
Take U.S. Route 13 south to State Route 132 west to U.S. Route 1 north. Reenter the Turnpike at the Bensalem Interchange, Exit 351.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – The price of gas continued, this week, what has become a weekly ritual of increases. However, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, this week’s price rise was much lower than recent weeks. That gave drivers something of a break from the break-neck pace of price hikes, but only just. The E.I.A.’s weekly price survey shows the national average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gas went up just over a penny per gallon to settle at about $2.39. Still, that is likely some relief from the 7-cent hike drivers felt last week.
The cost of diesel went up the same price as its petroleum counterpart, according to the E.I.A. As with regular gas, diesel prices went up just over a penny per gallon. The national average now stands at about $2.60 per gallon.
Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.
Regional Gasoline Averages:
$2.680: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.515: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.465 PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.395: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.378: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.344: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.310: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.259: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.168: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Regional Diesel Averages:
$2.873: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.813: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.677: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.648: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.547: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.541: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.526: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.448: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.
*Note: Report delayed to January 3 due to New Years holiday
Fort Lauderdale, FL – The price of gas continued its unrelenting trek higher this past week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s weekly gas price survey. The first report of 2017 shows the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gas jumped nearly seven cents per gallon over the past week, with the national average settling at $2.38 per gallon.
Meanwhile, the cost of diesel pushed upward again during the week,according to the E.I.A. As with regular gas, diesel prices started the new year with a big price leap, about five cents higher than the previous week. The national average now stands at about $2.59 per gallon.
Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.
Regional Gasoline Averages:
$2.651: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.496: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.430 PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.386: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.371: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.347: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.307: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.234: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.148: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Regional Diesel Averages:
$2.847: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.776: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.665: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.627: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.540: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.535: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.514: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.451: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.