Dive Temporary:
- The next-than-normal loss of life toll on Colorado roadway work zones has led state representatives to succeed in out to the U.S. DOT.
- As of Nov. 13, the state had recorded 28 fatalities in work zone crashes so far for 2024, up 75% from 2023, and greater than the 2 earlier years’ totals mixed, based on Colorado DOT information obtained by Denver 7.
- Colorado Reps. Greg Lopez, Lauren Boebert and Doug Lamborn penned a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asking how the company investigates state DOTs and what oversight the federal authorities has, based on Denver 7. Missouri Rep. Sam Graves and Texas Rep. Jodey Arrington additionally signed the letter.
Dive Perception:
The letter additionally claims that an unamed contractor met with members of Congress and Colorado’s Common Meeting. Through the assembly, the contractor shared Colorado DOT’s security plan and paperwork, indicating that the company withheld visitors movement plans from contractors, began new freeway workzones with out the signoff of the on-site design skilled engineers and used security gear improperly.
Lawmakers gave the federal DOT and Buttigieg till Nov. 22 to reply.
Colorado building zone associated crashes
| 12 months | Complete crashes | Fatalities | Severely injured |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,957 | 11 | 51 |
| 2022 | 1,696 | 10 | 55 |
| 2023 | 1,878 | 16 | 63 |
| 2024 | 1,232 | 28 | 38 |
SOURCE: Colorado DOT information as of Nov. 13.
In an announcement, Colorado DOT stated it shared concern concerning the fatality information, “which sadly however not surprisingly correlates to a interval of document building.”
“Workzones are inherently located in areas surrounded by reside visitors and current security challenges that demand the continuing focus and a focus of presidency and trade alike,” learn the company’s assertion shared with Development Dive.
Moreover, in reference to particular crashes highlighted by the state representatives, Colorado DOT claimed building plans have been designed in accordance with each state and federal pointers and an after-action overview confirmed the work zone in query was carried out correctly.
With just below 50 days left within the 12 months, Colorado’s most up-to-date information has recorded about 600 fewer crashes and 25 fewer accidents in work zones than in 2023.
Street security
The decision to motion from Colorado politicians comes simply over every week after the Federal Freeway Administration introduced its first replace to freeway work zone security guidelines in 20 years.
Per the change, efficient Dec. 2, at a minimal state DOTs should use optimistic safety units akin to concrete limitations in work zones:
- With excessive anticipated speeds (45 mph or sooner) or excessive visitors volumes.
- The place employees haven’t any direct technique of escaping motorized visitors.
- The place employees will face substantial publicity to motorized visitors (a piece zone present for 2 weeks or extra).
The FHWA will even require state DOTs to carry out a piece zone programmatic overview each 5 years. The overview should embody a consultant pattern of the state’s important work zones within the time interval.
The rule is designed to guard employees and motorists alike. Though freeway employees typically face hazard, collisions extra typically kill automobile occupants. 4 out of 5 work zone fatalities concerned drivers or their passengers, per FHWA information.
