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MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION IN WORK ZONES OVER FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY
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AMES, Iowa – July 2, 2024 – With many people taking to Iowa’s roadways for the Fourth of July holiday, you should be aware that the Iowa Department of Transportation and the state’s counties and cities currently have work zones set up in every corner of Iowa to improve our transportation system.
Prior to traveling this Fourth of July, we urge you to visit the most reliable source of travel information at 511ia.org for road closures on state and U.S. routes and https://shorturl.at/JkcV5 for information on county roads in participating counties. You can also get this information by following us on X and Facebook.
Iowa has recently experienced flooding that has required the closing of many roadways, especially in northwest and western Iowa. When flooding occurs, it can be a rapidly evolving situation. The condition of roads and bridges can change quickly which requires us to close roads without much warning. You should use 511ia.org for impacts to state and U.S. routes and https://shorturl.at/JkcV5 for closures on county roads before starting out on your trip.
Driver behavior is the key to safety when approaching and driving through work zones. Following a few simple guidelines can greatly keep both you and workers safe on Iowa’s roadways:
- Expect the unexpected in any work zone along any road. Speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and equipment may be at work on or near the road.
- Slow down. Be alert. Pay attention to the signs. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted in advance of road construction projects. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that marks the end of the work zone.
- Watch out for flaggers. In addition to other warning signs, a “flagger ahead” warning sign may be posted in the work zone. Stay alert and be prepared to obey the flagger’s directions. In a work zone, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, meaning you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.
- Don’t follow work trucks into the construction area. You need to stay out of the area where construction work is taking place and only use the work zone route designated for traffic to stay safe and avoid a crash.
- Merge as soon as possible. Do not zoom up to the point where the lane closes, then try to merge in. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane as quickly and safely as possible after first notice of an approaching work zone.
- Don’t tailgate. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision; remember to leave at least two seconds of braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment, and workers.
- Work zones may be mobile. Some work zones – like line painting, road patching, shoulder repair, and mowing – are mobile and advance as the work is finished. Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning sign does not mean they are not present in the area.
- Expect delays. Leave early to reach your destination on time. Often, detours are suggested to help you avoid the work zone entirely. Plan and try an alternate route.
