Musings: Look out for workers on roads
Warmer weather means more workers on the roads. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
National Work Zone Awareness Week has run every spring since 1999. This year, it ran April 20-24, but drivers should be aware every week of this nationwide campaign that reminds motorists that warmer temperatures bring an increase in construction activities along our transportation system.
On Long Island, the New York State Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of paving and bridge projects this year. For the safety of the highway workers performing this work, NYSDOT will deploy signs, cones, barrels and attenuators to make these work zones as visible as possible. However, motorists must also do their part to ensure our workers return home safely each night: slow down, move over and stay alert. This simple request can save a life.
Earlier this year, a state DOT worker setting up a closure on the Long Island Expressway was struck by a vehicle. It's a miracle that the worker survived.
Throughout this construction season, to better protect our workers, NYSDOT will be working with our police partners on targeted enforcement and will be deploying automated speed enforcement cameras in our work zones.
We all need to do our part in keeping our roads safe for workers.
Richard Causin, Hauppauge
The writer is Long Island regional director for the New York State Department of Transportation.
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