The traditional road work season is often considered to be from springtime through the summer months. It’s not uncommon for this infrastructure work to require lane closures. Even relatively short stretches can greatly impact traffic flow. Lexington Council members got an update last week on communication during road work. Division of Engineering Director Doug Burton said many utilities are doing a great deal of work.
“All of those companies I just mentioned are doing massive tens if not hundreds of millions of dollar capital improvement projects right now…and frankly they’re doing a lot, so much work that their restoration crews are having trouble keeping up,” said Burton.
Burton said it’s the restoration crews that work to put down new pavement once pipes have been put in the ground.
Environmental Quality and Public Works Commissioner Nancy Albright led the presentation to members of the Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee. Albright said it’s important the city’s capitol construction group considers traveler impact.
“And that we’re allowing time for that communication to happen. The impact will still be there, but we will try to make sure that we have informed everybody in as many ways as we know how,” said Albright.
Albright noted efforts are made to avoid full road closures as much as possible. She added it’s also important to reach out to agencies like LexTran and both public and private schools about traffic impacts. Public Information and Engagement Program Manager Angela Poe said it’s best to have two weeks’ notice about work and to use various methods to get the word out to citizens.
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