Date:
Monday, September 17, 2007
Contact:
Don Anders, Signals Superintendent, (360) 357-2616
Kelly Stowe, WSDOT Communications, (360) 357-2716
BREMERTON –Drivers traveling State Route 3 between Bremerton and Poulsbo this morning encountered a very dangerous situation at the Newberry Hill intersection–a dark traffic signal.
Today, around 3 a.m., thieves cut the wire to the traffic signal and lighting at the intersection. WSDOT crews made temporary connections and got the traffic signal working by 9 a.m., but will need to return at a later date to make a permanent fix.
WSDOT is noticing an increase of wire theft in addition to the recent rise in theft of aluminum and steel bridge railing, guardrail, signal boxes, and impact attenuators. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and WSDOT are working closely together to stop these crimes.
WSDOT crews have moved materials to covered storage, adjusted security cameras at some of the storage yards and are paying close attention to “construction” work alongside the roadway that might be suspicious.
“These thefts create a safety issue and also adds a burden to tax payers,” said Don Clotfelter, Maintenance Manager. WSDOT is self-insured so costs incurred replacing and repairing stolen material, as well as labor, comes from tax dollars. As an unexpected cost, it takes away from other maintenance and project funding.
Motorists can help reduce these crimes by reporting suspicious work zones to law enforcement. A legitimate work zone includes:
• Signs alerting drivers they are entering a work zone
• Proper lighting
• Orange cones, barriers, signs
• Workers wearing orange, reflective vests, hard hats, gloves, goggles and protective hearing devices
WSDOT lists all weekly maintenance and construction activities on its Web site:www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction
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