DOTD Raising Awareness About Construction Zone Safety

The state department of transportation is raising awareness about construction zone safety.

DOTD reports a shocking uptick in accidents along I-10 in Acadiana, where crews are working to widen the interstate in each direction. Deidra Druilhet with DOTD says work zones come with different driving conditions.

“We have concrete barriers in some places. There are lane shifts. The width of a lane may decrease in some areas. So we want people to pay attention to those areas,” Druilhet said.

Druilhet says signs are in place indicating reduced speed limits from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. She says speed trailers are in place displaying speed limits and clocking drivers as they pass, as well as a queue detection system and message boards indicating delay times.

“We have increased the police presence out there. So we are working very closely with local law enforcement, as well as Louisiana State Police, to help monitor that corridor through that construction zone,” Druilhet said.

Druilhet says they’re also putting a solid line through the construction zone to deter motorists from changing lanes. She encourages motorists to stay alert, minimize distractions, be patient, and heed all warnings and speed zones.

“We do have those signs placed in very strategic areas, as well as the reduced speed limit signs. So we do want everyone to take heed to all that information that’s there,” Druilhet said.