New York Drivers Urged To Use Care In Work Zones

The state Department of Transportation is reminding New York motorists to exercise caution when driving through work zones during the construction season.

Department spokesman David Hamburg says "tragedy can happen in an instant" in a work zone.

Hamburg says it's important for drivers to use care and pay attention to posted speed limits in work zones.

The DOT works with the New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies to help keep construction areas safe.

Hamburg notes three construction workers were killed in on Interstate 81 in Broome County several years ago because a tour bus driver was speeding in a work zone.

Hamburg says work zone crashes continue to happen because motorists frequently are driving too fast and are distracted.

Drivers should be prepared for delays and detours in construction zones. The DOT issues frequent updates regarding planned changes in traffic patterns. But motorists also should "expect the unexpected" in all work zones because of changing conditions and adjustments which may occur at different stages of major projects.

The latest information on the Prospect Mountain Project at the Interstate 81/Route 17 interchange in Binghamton may be found on the DOT Facebook page.