Popular summer destinations face travel restrictions, detours
Road crews in colorful vests sprout along the nation’s highways just about the same time as seasonal wildflowers. Construction projects mean delays or rerouting when you visit major metropolitan areas and popular national parks.
How can you safely navigate roadway hazards, and where can you go to find information before heading out on the open road?
Some states such as California are giving a helping hand. In California, the Department of Transportation has implemented new programs to warn drivers of road hazards through cones, barriers and barrels.
“We are using the latest technology and designs to maintain the highways more efficiently and safely,” said Mark Dinger, media specialist for Caltrans. “For example, temporary rumble strips successfully slowed traffic in Northern California work zones. We are now expanding their use statewide as part of a pilot program.”
Caltrans is testing remotely operated “slow” and “stop” signs. The technology helps keep human paddle holders out of harm’s way.
“Drivers instinctively slow down when they see California Highway Patrol vehicles with flashing red lights,” Dinger said, “so they are present at many of our highway maintenance and construction zones.”
Highway “cone zones” are prime spots for crashes, according to Anne Staines, a transportation communications expert whose firm has worked with Caltrans for the past nine years.
“Drivers generally are in a hurry to get somewhere,” Staines said. “They are not paying attention, cutting into lanes and not allowing enough space between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.”
California and other states have rolled out public relations and advertising campaigns aimed at distracted driving. They highlight the dangers of the dangers cell phones, electronic devices, radio tuning, navigational systems and dining while driving.
The campaigns and stern enforcement are credited with reducing work-zone fatalities. Federal Highway Administration reported almost 1,200 deaths in 2002 and fewer than 600 fatalities in 2011.
“Every day, highway workers put their lives in danger just by going to work,” Dougherty said. “We’re asking motorists to slow down, watch out for highway workers and law enforcement officers and safely move over a lane when they see flashing amber lights on Caltrans or other emergency vehicles.”
When planning your summer travel, consider the following road construction projects on national highway arteries and national parks.
- Prospect Mountain project along Route 17 and Interstate 81 in New York.
Road crews are improving traffic flow and constructing nine new bridges. The bridges, including four over the Chenango River, replace 1960s-era structures with ones that meet contemporary design standards. Two new bridges are being built at the partial interchange that will replace the Mygatt Street exit off Route 17.
- Highway 95 (http://www.i95exitguide.com/alert/)
As a major artery from Maine to Florida, construction along Highway 95 can detour travel plans. Bridge maintenance work has reduced travel to one lane in Maine through October. In Connecticut, road crews will be resurfacing I-95 in July. Although there are not major construction projects, road upgrades and installation of toll roads have tangled traffic in and around the Washington, D. C.
- Interstate 5 (http://i-5info.com/)
Along the West Coast, Interstate 5 extends some 1400 miles from the Canadian to Mexican borders. Washington state has planned or initiated 17 summer projects along Interstate 5. In Oregon construction of a new viaduct begin in 2012 and continues through summer 2013.
California plans several I-5 projects that affect travelers. Improvements include adding high occupancy vehicle lanes, bridge upgrades, interchange improvements, pavement maintenance—billions of dollars in repairs and upgrades.
- Interstate 80 from California to New Jersey
Most states along this major northern artery plan construction. In the Sierra Mountains, highway crews frequently close parts of Highway 80 for completion of pavement improvements and summer maintenance. In Nebraska, the interstate is being widened between Lincoln and Omaha. Single-lane closures are expected in Iowa. Minnesota transportation officials predict daily closures and traffic controllers routing vehicles. Lane widening in Joliet, Ill., means road closures in and delays.
The best way to find out information about I-80 closures, go the transportation department for the state you are visiting. They include:
-California: http://www.dot.ca.gov/
-Nebraska: http://www.transportation.nebraska.gov/
-Minnesota: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/
-Illinois: http://www.dot.state.il.us/
- National Parks travel/road condition information
- Yellowstone
- Grand Canyon
http://www.localconditions.com/weather-grand-canyon-arizona/86023/traffic.php
- Yosemite