With foliage beginning to reach its peak in some Vermont areas and roadway traffic expected to increase over the next few weeks, Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary Brian Searles reminds motorists to respect road-closed signs in storm-damaged regions of the state.
Road crews have reported that motorists in some areas are increasingly driving past signs that clearly indicate the roadway is either closed or open only to local traffic.
As a result, increased traffic through construction zones is slowing work and endangering the safety of both motorists and highway workers.
“Vermont is a spectacular place during fall-foliage season,” Searles said.
“The vast majority of Vermont is open to public travel and welcomes your visit,” Searles added. “But when you see a road-closed sign, please respect its message and seek an alternate route.”
Closed roads can contain hazards that are not delineated to warn passing traffic because the roadway is closed. In other areas, the roadway is damaged to a level that cars cannot navigate without risk of damage or injury. Also, some roadways are constricted and so narrow that large vehicles, such as RVs, could become stuck.
Questions regarding storm-damaged roads and bridges related to Tropical Storm Irene can be answered by the call center at: 1-800-Vermont.
People can also find road information at www.511vt.com and on the Vermont Agency of Transportation website, where they can sign up for travel updates for their mobile phone, and follow the agency's progress on both Facebook and Twitter.