Parkway East message boards out of service due to fiber optic cable theft, PennDOT says

PennDOT message boards and cameras for the Parkway East are out of service after someone vandalized fiber optic cables. 

According to PennDOT executives, the signs and cameras are out from the Stanwix Street exit to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. About 100,000 drivers use parts of the Parkway East every day. Now, a major way to communicate with them is gone.

With less than a month to go until the Parkway East shuts down for several weeks, PennDOT said officials are working on a temporary fix. Repairs will take a couple of days, as long as no more issues come up, PennDOT said.

"We really utilize them to ensure the safety of our workers and the traveling public," PennDOT District 11 assistant district executive Lori Musto said.

The issues started Sunday night and continued into Monday. It's estimated that the damage will cost $15,000 to $20,000 to be fixed. It takes crews away from other work.

"One-time deal, we thought it was a rare occurrence. Now multiple nights in a row, costing taxpayer money to make the repairs," Musto said.

The cameras can help notify first responders of an issue on the road, while the signs relay information to drivers about what to look out for.

"It can be as simple as you have a flat tire on the side of the road. We noticed it, and a tow truck arrives," Musto said.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.