Working to make your travel safer

    Summer means construction and maintenance season for the highway crews. The season is never long enough to complete all of the work we would like to do. Add in a few rain days and the days available for work, especially paving projects, are even fewer. Some projects take longer than expected to complete.  The longer a project takes, the more irritated some drivers become by the inconvenience of the traffic restrictions. They tend to speed through the work zones, ignoring the warning signs and speed limits.
    The signs, cones and barricades are there to warn motorists that work is being done and that reduced speeds and caution are needed to travel through the work area. In Maine, as in other States, fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.
    When crews are concentrating on their work and machinery is moving around they may unexpectedly step into traffic areas. While crew members must always be aware of what they are doing, it is extremely important for motorists to have their vehicle slowed and be prepared to stop or avoid the unexpected. If you are going too fast or not paying close attention to what is going on around you, you could seriously injure yourself or someone else. Please slow down and be cautious in any work area. Our crews are instructed to accommodate the needs of the traveling public as much as possible, but they still must get their work done.
    Another problem that we have experienced during the summer is the removal of traffic cones, barricades and signs from work areas. Work area signs and road construction signs are there to make motorists aware of hazards in the roadway. Traffic cones, barrels, barricades and directional signs are there to guide motorists safely through the work zone.
    Over the past few summers the City has “lost” approximately one hundred traffic cones and several signs. These cones cost from twelve to fifteen dollars each, depending on size and reflectivity. The monetary loss to the highway department is substantial, but the danger that motorists are exposed to by their removal is even greater. Removal of any work zone traffic control device could cause serious injury to a motorist who is unaware that a hazard may exist in the roadway ahead.
    All of the City’s traffic control devices are marked “PIPW” of “PIHD”. We will ask the police to issue a summons to anyone who removes, displaces or possesses any of our traffic control devices.
    The Presque Isle Public Works crew is encouraged to be as courteous and helpful as possible. Please return that courtesy, after all they are working to make your travel safer.
    Gerry M. James is public works director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 764-2560 or e-mail to gerryjames@mfx.net.