Road Safety Assessment Leads to MLK Bridge Construction Project
Based on a ksdk.com article, the Illinois Department of Transportation declared on September 29, 2009 that the Martin Luther King. Jr. Bridge will be entirely closed for up to 12 days starting on October 12, 2009. A representative of Illinois’ Department of Transportation stated that the construction project was initiated by a recent road safety evaluation conducted on the bridge. While the bridge is off-limits to commuters in both Illinois and Missouri, the article stated that the following work will be done:
- A concrete barrier will be placed in the middle of the bridge to divide oncoming traffic.
- Guard rails will be redone.
- The bridge will be re-striped.
- Four lanes along the bridge will be rearranged into three lanes.
Although some residents greatly rely on the bridge as a part of their every day commute, developing a new itinerary is definitely worth the efforts that will be made to help reduce the risk of head-on collisions on the MLK Bridge. It is possible for the repaired bridge to open sooner than expected if weather conditions prove to be non-threatening. Taking note that the contractor of the operation gets a $50,000 bonus for each day the bridge opens early, let us hope that this incentive does not cause any work to be rushed and therefore improperly carried-out.
According to the article, the Illinois State Police have been focusing particularly on the bridge and its safety since January 24. Ever since then, apparently 2,200 citations have been given, and in more than nine months, there has only been one crash on the bridge.
It is important for attention to be given to the safety and quality of bridges, highways, and other parts of roadways throughout Illinois and Missouri. Dangerous road conditions have been known to play direct roles in causing auto crashes. State departments and government entities have the responsibility to make sure that roads are adequate to be used by motorists of all types.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident that you believe was caused by dangerous road conditions, you may be able to hold those responsible for the road’s upkeep legally responsible for your injuries and any property damage. The experienced Missouri auto accident lawyers at Page Cagle may be able to help you receive compensation to get you through this challenging time. Our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate any auto accident case and will protect your rights as a personal injury victim. Contact Page Cagle today for a free consultation by calling 866-620-5757.
Source report: http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=186153&catid=3
