State Officials Call for Safe Driving in Highway Work Zones

ALBANY, NY (04/18/2013)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald was joined in Binghamton today by State Police Zone Two Commander Captain Eric Janis and construction industry and elected officials to kick off the start of the highway construction season in New York and urge motorists to use caution in highway maintenance and construction work zones. The Federal Highway Administration designated April 15-19 as National Work Zone Awareness Week.

"Safety is our top priority at the State Department of Transportation and working on the highway can be dangerous business," Commissioner McDonald said. "Having motorists slow down, give highway workers ample room and drive with extra care through highway work zones will help ensure that all of us safely return home to our families at the end of the day."

The commissioner and other officials gathered in Binghamton to highlight the work being done this summer on the $134.6 million Prospect Mountain reconstruction of the convergence of State Route 17 and Interstate 81 with nearby I-88. This is the second year of construction on the massive project, which will help bring an eight-mile section of Route 17 up to interstate standards. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2015.

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico said, "The safety and welfare of construction staff and highway workers is vital as they continue to improve our state's roadways. As the highway construction season begins, we remind drivers to obey speed limits, stay in your designated lanes and be attentive to workers and equipment in work zones. The New York State Police is committed to improving highway safety through increased presence and strict enforcement of all observed violations. Protecting workers and other travelers on our highways is a priority.

Last year in New York State there were 460 traffic accidents in construction work zones on the state's roads and bridges, and 52 traffic accidents in maintenance work zones on state highways. Those accidents resulted in 18 fatalities – all motorists -- and 134 motorists, contractor employees and NYSDOT staff being injured.

Senator Tom Libous said, "Work Zone Safety is critically important for families on both sides of the orange cones. Highway construction workers keep the roads safe for us and we've got to do the same for them. We all have to remember to slow down and be alert while driving through work zones like Prospect Mountain – lives depend on it."

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, "As one of the original sponsors of the Work Zone Safety Act, I want to emphasize how important it is to slow down in work zones to help keep our highway workers safe. As we enter this construction season, please slow down, and always expect the unexpected, as roadway conditions may frequently change."

U.S. Representative Richard Hanna said, "As someone who worked for decades in heavy construction, I urge all motorists to take caution when approaching a work zone and to slow down. We can increase the safety of all our workers, as well as motorists, if everyone would be more cautious. It will save lives here in the Southern Tier."

Mike Elmendorf, President and CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State, said, "Maintenance and upgrades to our roads and bridges are not only essential to getting us all from point A to point B and supporting our economy, but are critical to our safety. It is equally critical that the men and women who do this important work be safe as well. That's why, as the construction season begins again, we must all focus on making work zones safer for both workers and the traveling public, especially with all the distractions we see on the road today. So, please be aware of what's going on around you on the road, watch for signs, slow down and obey work zone speed limits. We rely on road crews for our safety as we travel-and they're counting on us for their safety as well."

The Prospect Mountain project will improve traffic flow at the interchange, constructing nine new bridges and reducing or eliminating potential points of vehicle conflict throughout the length of the project along Route 17 and Interstate 81. The bridges, four of them over the Chenango River, replace 1960s-era structures with ones that meet contemporary design standards, widening the bridges and their highway shoulders. Seven of the bridges will replace existing structures, with an additional two new ones to be built at the partial interchange that will replace the Mygatt Street exit off Route 17.

Short distances between three interchanges at this location cause motorists to perform unsafe weaving movements. A second phase of the project is expected to be let in 2015, eliminating weaving movements at the intersection of State Route 17 and Interstate 81.

This interchange was designed in the mid-1960s to handle 35,000 vehicles per day and now averages twice that volume.

The project work being done during this construction season includes bridge construction on State Route 17 eastbound and westbound and Interstate 81 northbound and southbound over the Chenango River; State Route 17 westbound over Mygatt Street; Interstate 81 southbound over Chenango Street and the new State Route 17 westbound bridge over the new Prospect Road connector.

This project meets the goals of the Governor's Driver's First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists and ensures that disruptions are as minimal as possible to drivers at highway and bridge projects across the state.

L & T Construction of Richmondville, Schoharie County, is the project contractor. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2015.

Beginning next week, numerous traffic pattern changes will take place on I-81 and Route 17 for the Prospect Mountain project. I-81 thru-traffic will have two lanes in each direction, as was the case last year. Also similar to last year, the I-81 connections to Route 17 westbound will be reduced to a single lane. The major change that will occur is that Route 17 eastbound will be reduced to a single lane between the Interstate 81/Route 17 split and Exit 4 (Binghamton/Hillcrest). This change will also result in various Exit 4 ramp closures. Signed, local detours for these closures will be put in place.

Electronic variable message signs and Highway Advisory Radio are being utilized to keep the public informed; as are social media, including Facebook and Twitter. NYSDOT is also reaching out to major traffic generators, such as colleges, sport stadiums, concert venues and summer festivals to help them make their attendees aware of the project.

Travelers should allow extra time to travel through this interchange or consider alternate routes.

In New York State, fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.? In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver's license.

NYSDOT recommends that motorists observe the following ten safety tips essential for safe driving in highway construction work zones:

1. Expect the unexpected. In any work zone along any road, normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and vehicles may be working on or near the road.

2. Slow down, be alert and pay attention to the signs. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted in advance of road construction projects.

3. Remember, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign. In addition to other warning signs, a "flagger ahead" warning sign may be posted in the work-zone. When you see this, stay alert and be prepared to obey the flagger's directions. In a work-zone you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.

4. Stay calm. Work-zones aren't there to inconvenience you; they are necessary to improve the roads for everyone.

5. Merge as soon as possible. You may see flashing arrow panels or "lane closed ahead" signs. Don't zoom right up to the lane closure and then try to barge in;?if everyone cooperates, traffic moves more efficiently. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of an approaching work zone.

6. Slow down when the signs say to. A car traveling 60 miles per hour travels 88 feet per second.? If you are going 60 mph and you pass a sign that states "Road Work 1500 feet," you will be in that work zone in 17 seconds.

7. Leave two-seconds of braking distance between you and the car in front of you. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision, so remember the amount of space required to provide two seconds of stopping time will increase the faster you are driving.

8. Keep a safe distance. Make space between vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers.? Just like you, highway workers want to return home safely after each day's work.

9. Observe posted work zone signs until you see the one that states you've left the work zone. Some work zones, such as for line painting, road patching, and mowing are mobile, moving down the road as work is finished. Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs, does not mean they are not out there.?

10. Plan ahead and try an alternate route. Highway agencies use different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones.? Often, they will suggest a detour to help you avoid the work zone entirely.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org. Follow New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT.

###