Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
As new commissioner Kelly Reith and the staff of the Lincoln County Highway Department heads into the busy summer construction and project season ahead, the department recently announced the use of temporary rumble strips in work zones.
As Reith explains, use of the devices has been mandated by the Wisconsin DOT.
“Starting this year all work zones state wide are being required by the DOT to use rumble strips, in an effort to minimize traffic related injuries and deaths in work zones.”
The tragic reality of traffic related deaths hit home last July, when Lincoln County Highway worker Marcus Wydeven of Tomahawk, was struck and killed by a motorist while working as a flag crew member during road repairs on STH 17.
According to a press release from the Highway Department, temporary rumble strips are intended to alert and slow down motorists entering construction zones via audible and vibratory warning.
The rumble strips will be used on construction and maintenance projects occurring on both state and county highways.
Signs will alert motorists of the upcoming work zone and installation of the temporary rumble strips. Typically, six rumble strips are placed at each end of the work zone.
Last year, the state of Wisconsin recorded 2,404 work zone crashes resulting in 945 injuries and 12 fatalities statewide.
For more information, contact WDOT Work Zone Operations Engineer Erin Schoon at [email protected] or vi(414) 220-6803.
Reith can be reached at 715-539-2554