Posted on 12/21/2017 4:02:57 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
ABINGDON, Va. — Crashes in the construction zone around Interstate 81’s Exit 14 in Abingdon more than doubled between 2015, the year before the project started, and 2017, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
There were 67 crashes reported between Exits 10 and 17 in 2017, while the number of crashes in that stretch was 36 in 2015, according to the DMV. There were 72 crashes in 2016, the year the project began.
Between Dec. 8-10, there were two accidents on that stretch of highway, including a one-vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality and a tractor-trailer that ran off the road and overturned.
A spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation, which is reconstructing the exit and making other improvements, blames speeding and driver error.
“The accident data we have received from Virginia State Police attributes the accidents to driver error and speeding,” said Michelle Earl, communications manager for VDOT’s Bristol District. “None were attributed to construction activities.”
The State Police, which monitors traffic violations and crashes along I-81, said traffic summonses have increased around the work zone.
“The majority of the violations are for speeding within the active work zone,” said VSP Sgt. Mike Willis, commander of Area 27, which covers Bristol, Washington and Scott counties.
Improvements to the Exit 14 area began in January 2016 and aren’t expected to be completed until fall 2018, according to Earl.
The interchange is undergoing the replacement of two bridges, separation of the northbound exit and entrance ramps and other improvements.
“We have made some milestones since the beginning of the project,” Earl said. “We opened the new ramp on the northbound side, completed one side of the bridge and are currently working on the southbound side right now.”
A team of VDOT officials from the Bristol District recently looked at accident reports from the past four years and monitor work zones for safety on a daily and weekly basis, she added.
“We realize the traffic pattern from Exit 10 to mile-marker 15 along I-81 is different,” Earl said. “We are constantly ensuring traffic is flowing properly in our work zones. Our teams are performing daily checks, and we have a manager who will assess traffic flow in that area every two weeks.”
She added that digital signs, a number of work zone signs, cones and barrier walls where needed are being used to help keep drivers safe. The speed limit has also been reduced from 70 mph to 60 mph in that stretch.
Many motorists who travel in that area of Abingdon said on Facebook that they avoid the work zone area as much as possible.
“I don’t feel safe traveling at all in the construction zone,” wrote Bristol, Tennessee, resident Josh Maddox. “Between the narrow lanes and idiot drivers — it’s a death trap.”
Michelle Leonard, of Bristol, Virginia, wrote, “Avoid as much as possible. Tailgaters and speeders, including tractor-trailers, asking for accidents.”
Roderick Mullins, a native of Southwest Virginia, said he never felt safe when traveling through the Exit 14 area.
“Tractor trailers and vehicles barreling through at higher than posted speeds and the original exit ramp must have been designed by a clown in the Ringling Brothers Circus. With all the traffic congestion, I go further up the interstate and take one of the other two exits but they are just as bad for traffic congestion. It’s a no win situation either way along the three exits into Abingdon.”
Bristol, Virginia, resident Katie Owens wrote: “The problem is not the construction. The project was necessary and will lead to a much safer travel experience for all. The issue has and always will be reckless, inconsiderate, and underqualified drivers. I don’t see that changing, but hope the new design will minimize the risk as much as possible.”
While Earl understands the frustrations of motorists, she wants drivers to understand that work zone speed limit signs are posted for a reason and will remain until construction is complete.
“The best advice is to go the posted speed limit,” Earl said. “We realize that we have a long work zone from Exit 10 to [mile marker] 15 with multiple projects. Going the posted speed limit is the safest way for drivers to stay safe.”
These days, I typically do 5 above under ordinary circumstances, and usually 10 above in the passing lane, but in a construction zone, I now ALWAYS do 0 above.
(My doing “only” 5 above in a 55 mph zone, in the right lane, undoubtedly drives the maniacal speeding idjits behind me mad.)
I think the presence of the nearby Bristol Speedway has some kind of psychological influence on all the drivers in that area, not just the Virginians.
Just yesterday if was going 55 in a 55 mph zone. And idiot pulls into the left lane, zooms beside me and cut me off so he could fly across into the exit lane he wanted.
If he had stayed in place behind me he would have gotten into the exit lane no sooner or later than he did.
Total idiot.
I set the cruise on the speed limit and amble on EXCEPT in construction zones. No cruise in work zones.
Don’t you drive a commercial vehicle? I wouldn’t dare do that in front of one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.