Gila County roads works year-round to maintain roadways throughout Gila County. Recently, after a few scary incidents, workers have been concerned for their safety on the job.
“We’re always working to keep our roads in the best shape we can, but we need to ask the public to help us out by driving carefully through work zones and keeping our employees safe,” District 3 Supervisor Woody Cline said.
When you encounter Gila County roads workers on roadways, you may see a blade (pictured, below), flaggers, “work zone” signs and other signs of road work.
Even if you are on a dirt road without a posted speed limit, please slow down to help keep our employees safe.
Public Works has been working with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office to help ensure the safety of Gila County Roads workers, but urges the public to stay alert and slow down when they see workers on Gila County roads.
Fred Lavin, who has 18 years of service with Gila County Roads, points out that so many of the roads they work on are narrow, dirt, don’t have a large shoulder, or all of the above. Roads that take more care to drive on, take more care to work on.
He collaborated with the Gila County signs department to make some signs that indicate motorists should go 15 mph in a work zone. “Everyone has their own version of slow,” he says.
In addition to the various other signs he puts out when working in a particular area, he hopes these will help keep road crew safe.
It’s safest for workers when motorists slow down as soon as they see the work zone signs or a flagger, not after.
On a recent crack sealing project, he experienced motorists driving through a closed lane, right at workers. Unfortunately, he also sees a lot of folks ignoring “stop paddles” (workers holding a stop sign).
“We have men and women out there working and we’re not trying to be an inconvenience. We’re just trying to keep the roads maintained,” says Lavin.
Fred Lavin
