PBOT's Sidewalk Dig Crew. Left to right: David Bowles, John Calvert, Frank Shelton, Dana Whitley.
Photo by Felicity J. Mackay, Portland Bureau of Transportation
(April 11, 2016) – Today is the start of National Work Zone Awareness Week. The initiative, sponsored by federal, state and local transportation officials each April, draws attention to the safety needs of road workers at the start of construction season.
In observance of the week, the Portland Bureau of Transportation calls on the traveling public to use extra caution in work zones. PBOT will be sharing photos and stories of the bureau’s maintenance crew members who work in the city’s roadways every day on their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PBOTInfo) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/PBOTinfo) feeds. These hard working Portlanders are just feet away from fast moving traffic and potentially inattentive drivers.
Generally, crashes occur when people driving speed through a work zone, do not pay attention to changing road conditions, run into other vehicles or transportation equipment, or drive off the road completely. Given this, when driving in a work zone, the public is asked to please slow down, pay attention and stay calm. People walking or biking in a work zone should also observe barricades and road closed signage, use sidewalks if possible or other alternate routes.
Travelers should expect delays, plan for them and leave early to reach their destination on time. Remember, in roadway work zones, engineers and construction workers make safety their top priority every day—for the traveling publicas well as themselves. Drivers should move into the correct lane well in advance and constantly be on the lookout for vehicles merging into adjacent travel lanes as they approach a work zone. People driving should double their following distance.
Every day, workers from PBOT and other agencies are out in Portland streets doing their jobs, repairing streets, installing and fixing utilities and infrastructure. PBOT is proud to join with our fellow DOTs across the United States to bring attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones. Remember: paying attention saves lives.
For more information, visit FHWA Work Zone Awareness.
###
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation