Don’t adjust your dials: It’s Turnpike TV
When the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s engineers would talk to the public about a major project, many of the same questions popped up over and over again.
There had to be a way to get this vital information across in a way that everyone could appreciate and understand, Engineer Project Specialist Lauren Leipziger said.
And that’s where Turnpike TV comes in.
“The goal of these videos is to allow people to have a little bit of a better glimpse into what we do,” Leipziger said.
And that’s exactly what she and a team of videographers from contractor HDR did with the brand-new, 10-episode Turnpike TV, which you can find here:
Turnpike TV covers the phases of design and construction, as well as specific projects like Total Reconstruction of the Turnpike and components of projects like noise walls. There’s even an episode that delves into the Capital Plan, which outlines the next decade’s worth of projects.
Leipziger got a taste of the life of a Hollywood producer as she and the videographers landed interviews, shot videos, wrote scripts, and edited tons of footage, and she is thrilled with how it all came together and does exactly what it was meant to – be more transparent and communicative in an engaging and friendly way.
“It helps to demystify what’s happening here and hopefully shows those in the communities we’re dealing with that we are a good neighbor, and we hope they have a positive experience with us,” she said.
Being a good neighbor is near and dear to Assistant Chief Engineer of Design Kevin Scheurich’s heart, and that’s his goal for the Turnpike in all its dealings with the public.
“How do you feel when you have a bad neighbor?” Scheurich asked. “It’s as simple as that. How you make people feel is how they’re going to remember you.”
Being a good neighbor means being approachable, professional and friendly while keeping the public informed every step of the way through the process. Scheurich said this approach makes all the difference in the world, and Turnpike TV goes a long way in bolstering those efforts.
The videos are also fun to watch, even for seasoned Turnpike pros. They’re packed with great information and lots of cool footage. Leipziger particularly loves the drone shots, showing a bird’s-eye view of the highway and some of these massive projects that you can only truly take in from above.
“The videos are the thing I’m most proud of that we’ve done,” Leipziger said. “They will be so helpful to share with our stakeholders and neighbors.”
By Steve Marroni, PA Turnpike Communications Specialist