Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 5, 1995 TAG: 9505050066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BREEA WILLINGHAM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
According to VDOT, 308 people were injured and 22 were killed last year. In 1993, eight people were killed and 234 injured, and in 1992 four people were killed and 202 were injured.
And now that two large highway projects are under way in the Roanoke area, with another expected to begin this summer, VDOT and Virginia State Police are urging motorists to take extra care when driving in work zones.
"We want motorists to be aware of the signs and precautions," said Fred Altizer, VDOT administrator for the 12-county Salem District.
"It is absolutely essential that drivers pay more attention and allow more time to reach their destinations while we're hard at work this spring and summer in the Roanoke area. We know that people are going to be inconvenienced, but we do not want any tragedies," Altizer said Thursday.
There have been no fatalities reported this year in Roanoke-area work zones.
On Interstate 81, the concrete pavement from the Roanoke County/Botetourt County line to south of Buchanan is being repaired and will receive a covering of asphalt. The speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph.
The speed limit along the Roy L. Webber Highway has been reduced to 45 mph while a third lane is added in each direction, starting at Elm Avenue and ending just south of Virginia 419.
This summer, the northbound and southbound I-81 bridges over Mason Creek between exits 140 and 141 in Salem are to be replaced and widened.
If caught speeding in the work zones, motorists can expect to pay a fine of up to $250.
"Extra police have been contracted to patrol both sites, and they are writing tickets," said Laura Bullock, community affairs coordinator for VDOT's Salem District.
State police said 346 speeding tickets were written in March in the work zones, and eight people were arrested on drunken-driving charges. The April figures haven't been tabulated yet.
"Since we have been enforcing the speed limit, we more or less got the attention of motorists," said 1st Sgt. Frank Duffy. "The reduced speed limit in the work zones is to ensure the safety of the motorist and the construction worker."
by CNB