Statistics show that in 1998 there were 774 fatalities in highway work zones. Trucks, heavy machinery and workers are all potential hazards that could stray into your path. It is equally true that the motor vehicle represents a lethal hazard to highway workers.

    Work zone flaggers are charged with two major responsibilities. One is to direct motorists through the work zone at the appropriate time when it is safe for them to proceed. The other is to protect the workers inside the work zone. It only takes 6 seconds to travel 500 feet at 55 mph. Covering the same distance in a work zone at 25 mph adds only 8 seconds in travel time. A few seconds spent in the name of safety can preclude having haunting second-thoughts after a tragedy. Anderson said accidents can be avoided by following these important safety tips:

• Slow down on approaching the zone
• Obey flaggers, posted speed limits, construction speed limits and traffic control signs
• Stay in your own lane except as directed by flaggers
• Follow markers such as orange barrels and safety cones
• Maintain slow speed and predictable actions throughout the zone
• Watch for our workers
• Be prepared to STOP � not accelerate!
• Avoid distractions
• Don�t park or make unnecessary stops
• Please be patient with traffic delays

    The following projects are planned for construction in 2001:

    Pickerington Road from Ault Road to SR 204. (including bridge replacement and other drainage work) 1.7 miles; Blue Valley Road from McGrery Road to Old Logan Road, 1.5 miles; Sharp Road from US 33 to Sugar Grove corporation limit, 0.1 mile; Wheeling Road from Lancaster east corporation limit to Lake Road (including bridge) 3 miles; Carroll-Northern Road from Basil-Western Road to SR 256 (including railroad crossing work) 1.6 miles; Oakland-Stoutsville Road from Stoutsville east corporation limit to SR 159, 3 miles and various roads scheduled for chip & seal, 50 miles.

Bridges

    Berne-13 on Swartz Mill Road, now under construction and scheduled for completion on September 15; Bloom-19 on Rock Mill Road including the relocation of Rock Mill Road. At completion, the historic Rock Mill Covered Bridge will become a County Park. Greenfield-9 on Coonpath Road between US 33 & Election House Road; Hocking-6 on Hamburg Road, the first bridge north of Mill Road; Pleasant-19 on Wheeling Road, 0.4 mile east of the Lancaster corporation limit. (This is part of the Wheeling Road Issue 2 project to start after 7/1/01) Violet-1 on Pickerington Road about 0.5 mile south of SR 204 (This is part of the Pickerington Road project).

    "We need your help to keep our construction zones safe," Anderson said. "A safer construction zone allows us to work quicker so we can get the traffic flow back to normal for the motoring public."

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