Missouri Bicycle News Article

As a recently retired civil engineer who actually worked the “on-site” end of several hundred large road/highway construction projects in 34 different states, I can attest to the dangers inherent in and around construction sites. Just recalling work/job related accidents, during my 42 years of onsite work I can recall 18 construction worker deaths where the worker wanders into the path of a piece of equipment, an operator fails to retain proper awareness of surroundings or someone just ends up in the wrong place at the wrong instant in time. This is an environment where even the most experienced of individuals who have been in the trades and around roadway construction for years know, one wrong move and someone will end up injured or worse dead.

I am, at my ripe old age, now a novice cyclist. I had just discovered the trails around the Springfield Lake area when MoDOT announced the temporary closure of the same. Mixed emotions followed the news when a few moments later, logic reared its ugly head. Asking myself the following question helped this crusty old geezer understand the need for the action taken: “Even during slack hours or when construction was at a total stand-still, how safe would it be for even one person riding a bicycle to pass through your construction site?” Additionally, the upkeep and signage of an ever changing trail, flaggers spotted along the trail (should it be open during working hours) and frankly the liability that would be shouldered in the form of higher costs would simple prohibit such accommodation.

It doesn’t look like it... There are times that when you drive through any project it appears nothing is going on. If you see people working you may ask, “Is their main task checking out how long they can lean on that shovel (or rake or...) before the handle snaps?” Please believe me, the contractor, the subs and even some individuals want to get the project done as soon as possible. Along with early and accurate completion of most projects comes a substantial bonus.

I don't think the issue is allowing people into dangerous areas. Nobody wants that.

With most projects, though what appears to be the norm is:

- Routes are not closed without providing alternate routes or detours

- Especially when routes must be fully closed--and doubly so when no alternate route available--the time of the closure is minimized as far as possible.

We're not seeing either of those happening here.