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Stay alert this weekend in ‘cone zones’

The Ohio Department of Transportation is urging drivers to look up, hang up cell phones, and go “slow for the cone zone” over the Labor Day holiday.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer The Ohio Department of Transportation is urging drivers to look up, hang up cell phones, and go “slow for the cone zone” over the Labor Day holiday.

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer 8:43 PM Friday, September 3, 2010

HAMILTON — Navigating construction zones in Butler and Warren counties is a daily challenge; add thousands of additional vehicles on the road this holiday weekend and the potential is great for a lot of traffic headaches and crashes in “cone zones.”

More than 34 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles round-trip this holiday weekend, according to AAA. Travel across Ohio is expected to be up about 10.8 percent.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is urging motorists to stay alert, leave distance between vehicles and reduce speed, especially in construction zones.

During the 2009 Friday-through-Monday Labor Day weekend, there were 2,742 crashes on Ohio’s roadways, resulting in 1,272 injuries and 20 fatalities. In addition, last year’s Labor Day weekend saw 115 motorcycle crashes, including 101 injuries and eight fatalities, according to ODOT.

Road construction will be suspended over the holiday weekend with three lanes open in both directions in the Interstate 75 construction zones along the Cincinnati-Dayton corridor, according to Sharon Smigielski, ODOT District 8 spokeswoman.

“Be alert, be patient, especially if there is a fender-bender or disabled vehicle,” Smigielski said. “Avoid texting or any distractions.”

There are two major projects ongoing on I-75 in the area, one from Cincinnati-Dayton Road to Ohio 63 and the other from Ohio 122 to the Warren/Mongomery County line. Smigielski said estimated completion date on the first project is June 2011 and the second is summer 2012.

Up-to-date traffic information can be found 24 hours a day at www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.

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