[Kentucky News]

District 11 employees help stop assault


MAUREEN BAIRD AND JEFF FRAZIER

MANCHESTER, KY. - For two Kentucky Transportation Cabinet employees, Monday, November 12 turned out to be a very busy day. While returning from a jobsite near the Tennessee state line they decided to return to I-75 through downtown Jellico and witnessed a man attacking an elderly lady on Main Street, stealing her purse.

Jeff Frazier and Maureen Baird, employees of the Department of Highways District 11 office immediately stopped their vehicle and got out, yelling for the individual to stop. The suspect had knocked the lady to the ground, strong armed her purse from her and began running. The employees decided to help the police capture the suspect after concluding the lady hadn’t suffered life threatening injuries. They immediately returned to their vehicle and began chasing the suspect, determined to catch him because they couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Jeff got a 911 dispatcher on the line while Maureen gave him a description of the man as they pursued him up and down streets, parking lots, trying not to lose him until the police arrived. The suspect tried to change his appearance by removing the hood of his sweatshirt and wearing a red baseball cap but our employees were determined to see justice served. Jeff flagged a police car, pointing in the direction of the suspect at a carwash where he was attempting to steal a car from another lady.

The employees blocked access with their state vehicle, preventing the suspect from driving away while an officer blocked the other entrance and apprehended the suspect. The suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated robbery and attempted carjacking, the elderly lady received prompt medical attention and her purse was returned.

Jellico Police Chief Tony Day said, "I appreciate the assistance that the personnel from the Department of Highways gave us in apprehending the suspect," Day said. "Their help was very valuable and greatly appreciated."

"This act took considerable bravery and courage," said Mike Calebs, Executive Director for the Department of Highways District 11. "They are to be commended for becoming involved and aiding law enforcement to apprehend a suspect.”

Baird and Frazier are residents of Whitley County and work at the Whitley Construction Crew in Williamsburg.

The preceding was a press release from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways, District 11.

[Kentucky News]

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Ready For Winter
District 11 crews are prepared for snow events



MANCHESTER, KY -The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is using anti-icing pre-treatments on our roadways as part of their winter maintenance program. Anti-icing measures take place before a precipitation event, such as black ice, to prevent the formation or development of bonded snow and ice on the road surface. Anti-icing chemicals are applied in liquid form (brine) to road surfaces before a snow or ice storm is predicted. Research has shown that timely applications of anti-icing materials can cut the cost of maintaining a safe road surface by 90% over the cost of deicing.

Anti-icing returns road surfaces to normal faster, resulting in fewer accidents and delays. Salt needs moisture to be effective, applying brine jumpstarts the melting process. Brine sticks to the road surface and will not be as easily blown off the road by wind or traffic so material is more efficiently used. If the storm is delayed, salt residue remains on the road ready to begin work when precipitation begins. Crews can begin treatment in advance of a storm because anti-icing prevents the bonding of snow and ice to pavement. Snow fighters have less work to maintain safe roadways as the storm progresses. Increased efficiency results in less deicer, manpower in less overtime costs and operator fatigue, therefore lowering the cost of maintaining safe road conditions. he use of deicing materials also minimizes environmental concerns.

Motorists may be wondering what is on the surface of our roadways when they see visible lines. KY Transportation Cabinet crews use anti-icing materials in the form of salt brine during the months in which travel is most often affected by unpredictable weather and related events. Transportation Cabinet employees are prepared to react to emergency situations no matter when they occur.

"Our personnel in the eight counties of District Eleven will be ready to act if the need arises," said Michael G. Calebs, Executive Director. “We want to assure motorists that our crews are on call around the clock and will be ready to respond to inclement winter weather, fallen trees, rockfalls, mudslides and any other situations that could impede traffic and cause hardship to the traveling public."

"Emergencies don't limit themselves to daytime hours during the week," Mr. Calebs continued. "Things happen at night, on weekends and on holidays. We can't control the weather or when situations occur, but we will work, clearing a path through snow and ice, to keep our roads maintained for the traveling public."

Mr. Calebs commended the maintenance personnel in the counties of Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie and Whitley who work during non-scheduled hours as the need arises. District 11 crews are prepared to treat our 2,042 miles of roadways whenever a snow event is predicted with 64 trucks, 114 operators, 18,654 tons of salt, 61,785 gallons of salt brine and 9,935 gallons of liquid calcium.

"We have excellent crews in our counties and we appreciate the sacrifices they sometimes must make at home to serve the needs of the Commonwealth," said Randy Arvin, Branch Manager for Operations. "It's not pleasant to report for work in the middle of the night or on Christmas Day to run a snowplow, but our workers are always willing to do what it takes to keep our roads safe."

District 11 crews are prepared for snow events with 64 trucks, 114 operators, 18,654 tons of salt, 61,785 gallons of salt brine and 9,935 gallons of liquid calcium to treat our roadways.

The most heavily traveled roadways are the first priorities during snow removal, less traveled roads are cleared as quickly as possible. You can find your county's snow and ice priority map on-line at transportation.ky.gov/Maintenance.

Road condition reports for major routes in Kentucky are available by calling 511 or by logging on to the 511 travel and traffic information website at 511.ky.gov. Road conditions are described in the following manner:

• Wet Pavement – The roadway is wet. Ice could form as the temperature drops.

• Partly Covered – The roadway is partly covered with snow, slush or ice. Markings may be obscured.

• Mostly Covered – The roadway is mostly covered with snow, slush, or ice. Roadway markers may be difficult to see because of packed snow and rutting conditions.

• Completely Covered – The roadway is completely covered with snow, slush, or ice. Markings are obscured.

• Impassable – Roadway conditions are not suitable for travel unless required by an emergency.

The preceding was a press release from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways, District 11.

[Kentucky News]

Turn lane being misused as passing lane near high school
Manchester police to patrol section of US 421

Motorists using a center turn lane as a passing lane in front of Clay County High School risk being cited and fined, according to law enforcement officials and the District 11 office of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Law enforcement officials have received reports of chronic misuse of the two-way left turn lane on US 421 between Greenbrier Road (KY 638) and Fox Hollow (County Road 1344). District 11 personnel and law enforcement officials remind motorists that two-way left turn lanes cannot be used for passing or through travel.

Many two-way streets have a center lane marked as a two-way left turn lane. The turn lane is bordered on either side by two yellow lines. The inner line is broken or dashed, the outer line is solid. Pavement marking arrows may or may not be present. This lane is for the exclusive use of left turning vehicles, either direction.

Turn lanes are designed to increase safety and improve traffic flow. Stopped or slow left-turning vehicles are removed from through lanes. Drivers attempting to make a turn are able to wait in safety for an adequate opening in traffic. Delay to through vehicles is reduced because left-turning vehicles are not blocking through lanes.



TO TURN LEFT FROM THE STREET: Look for opposing vehicles already in the turn lane, signal a left turn, then drive completely inside the turn lane. Do not stop at an angle with the rear of your vehicle blocking traffic. Turn only when it is safe. Watch for vehicles approaching in the same lane to make turns.

TO TURN LEFT INTO THE STREET: Wait for an opening in traffic on the near side of the street. Watch for vehicles entering the center lane to turn left. When safe, turn left driving completely into the center lane. Do not stop with part of your vehicle blocking through traffic. When safe, move to the right into the regular traffic lane and proceed.

The preceding was a press release from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways, District 11.

[Kentucky News]

US 421 Safety Corridor Blitz scheduled for District 11 Drive Smart enforcement effort
March 23-29 in Clay, Jackson, Leslie, Harlan counties



MANCHESTER, KY — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety has a message for motorists traveling along the US 421 corridor: Wear your seat belts, obey the speed limits and don’t drive while intoxicated! To reinforce that message and reduce the number of traffic crashes, the cabinet’s Drive Smart Program will be coordinating the US 421 Safety Corridor Blitz during a weeklong effort beginning Sunday, March 23 in Clay, Harlan, Jackson and Leslie counties.

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, Cumberland Valley and Kentucky River area development districts, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement and local law enforcement are coordinating the blitz. Also participating are the Harlan, Hyden, Manchester and McKee police departments and the Harlan, Leslie, Clay and Jackson county sheriff’s departments.

Officers will aggressively patrol US 421 and establish traffic safety checkpoints along the highway in an effort to reduce vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities. Officers will be looking for drivers committing offenses such as speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and driving under the influence.

The safety corridor and blitz area begins at the Madison-Jackson county line and extends to the Harlan County border with Virginia. US 421 is a two-lane route with a speed limit of 55 mph and lower speed limits through the McKee, Manchester, Hyden, Harlan areas and any construction zones.

Portable visual speed radar units will be placed along the corridor in each county beginning March 17 to notify drivers of their speed and remind them to comply with the posted speed limit. Electronic message boards and orange diamond signs stating that drivers are in a “target enforcement area” will also be used to alert drivers to the enforcement emphasis.

The Enforcement Blitz is planned for the week of March 23. This operation will focus on reducing the extent of contributing factors involved in vehicle crashes such as speeding, improper passing and other aggressive, reckless and moving hazardous traffic violations.

“Violations such as failure to wear seat belts, improperly restraining children, having improper equipment or failure to have insurance will be strictly enforced during the blitz,” said Chuck Knowles, acting commissioner of the Department of Transportation Safety. “Our goal, however, is not just to write tickets, but to improve safety along the route.”

The US 421 corridor is one of 13 corridors identified for special emphasis in collision reduction through a data-driven process by the Governor’s Executive Committee on Highway Safety. Other initiatives that have been undertaken along the corridor include surveying high school students on their seat belt usage habits, installing signs reminding drivers to buckle up at the exits to high school campuses along the corridor and installing signs noting US 421’s designation as an official safety corridor. The goal of the highway safety program is to save lives, reduce fatalities, injuries and property damage crashes on Kentucky’s highways.

highwaysafety.ky.gov

TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE LIVES BY MAKING KENTUCKY’S ROADS A SAFER WAY TO TRAVEL!

The preceding was a press release from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways, District 11.

[Kentucky News]

Please slow down! My daddy works here!

A reminder for those driving through highway work zones this year: Be careful! That’s someone’s mom or dad working out there! National Work Zone Safety Week is being recognized throughout Kentucky, with a salute to those who keep our highways in good order and risk their lives doing it.

As a physician, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo has seen and treated numerous victims of highway crashes. “This is not just a job-site issue. It’s a very serious human health and safety issue. Everyone can make a positive difference by following a few, simple rules when approaching a work zone.”

More than 40,000 people are injured yearly in work zones and thousands are killed. The majority of those, 85 percent, are motorists. According to police records, six people were killed in Kentucky highway work zones in 2007. Family members of victims, along with traffic safety groups, the federal highway administration, law enforcement, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Labor Department are all taking part in events throughout the state, paying tribute to victims and raising consciousness about work zone safety.

“By talking about the issues, and taking a few minutes to reflect and remember, we hope we can save lives in the future,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Joe Prather at an event in Louisville. “These people risk their life every single day so we can go to work, school or the grocery store. It is our responsibility to make highway work zones as safe as possible by slowing down and being alert when driving through them.”

Transportation safety representatives, including law enforcement, reiterated their role in work zone safety as well. “If our presence in work zones can help slow down drivers and prevent a deadly crash, you can guarantee we’ll be there,” said Boyd Sigler, Director of Highway Safety Program for KYTC.

The Transportation Cabinet is expected to invest in hundreds of highway projects again this year. Traditionally, the highway construction “season” kicks off in April. Cabinet engineers and contractors work cooperatively to design projects and work schedules that minimize delays and crashes.

“Our priority is the safety of our contract employees out there working on road projects,” added Charles Lovorn, of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors. “We vary work hours and consider other options to ensure quality road projects and a safe working environment within the work zone.”

Here are the “top 10” work zone safety tips.

• Expect the unexpected.

• Slow down.

• Don’t tailgate. Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you.

• Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the construction workers and equipment.

• Pay attention to the signs.

• Obey road crew flaggers.

• Stay alert and minimize distractions.

• Keep up with the traffic flow.

• Schedule enough time and call 511 or go to www.511.ky.gov for Kentucky traffic and travel information.

• Be patient and stay calm.

This week’s work zone awareness events coincide with “National Work Zone Awareness Week.” Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has signed a proclamation recognizing work zone safety week in Kentucky, April 7-11.

The preceding was a press release from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways, District 11.

[Kentucky News]

Please slow down, my daddy works here!
Events highlight tragedies behind work zone accidents


Pictured left to right: Chuck Knowles-Deputy State Highway Engineer, Rob Hans - Chief District Engineer for District 6 and Nancy Chandler Oney.

It was a day Nancy Chandler Oney will never forget: The day her husband never came home from his job on the highway work crew.

“It only takes a second of distraction when driving through a work zone. The smallest mistake could keep someone’s mom or dad from coming home to their family,” Oney said.

Oney hopes her words can provide a reminder for those driving through highway work zones this year to be careful. In 2003 her husband, Frank Chandler, died in a work zone crash along KY 8 in Kenton County. She has teamed up with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to participate in several events marking National Work Zone Safety Week, April 6 – 10. The week is set aside to salute those who keep our highways in good order and risk their lives doing it.

More than 40,000 people are injured and thousands are killed yearly in work zones. The majority of those, 85 percent, are motorists. Three people were killed in Kentucky highway work zones in 2008, according to police records. Family members of victims, along with traffic safety groups, the Federal Highway Administration, law enforcement, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are taking part in events throughout the state, paying tribute to victims and raising consciousness about work zone safety.

“By talking about the issues, and taking a few minutes to reflect and remember, we hope we can save lives in the future,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Joe Prather at an event in Louisville. “These people risk their lives every single day so we can go to work, school or the grocery store. We each share a responsibility to make highway work zones as safe as possible by slowing down and being alert when driving through them.”

“We hope this week will be a reminder that thousands of highway workers will be out in force this year, and that their lives are in our hands,” said Boyd Sigler, director of highway safety programs for the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. “Work zone safety is a concern for everyone on the road.”

The Transportation Cabinet is expected to invest in hundreds of highway projects again this year. Traditionally, the highway construction season kicks off in April. Cabinet engineers and contractors work cooperatively to design projects and work schedules that minimize delays and crashes.

“Our priority is the safety of our contract employees out there working on road projects,” added Charles Lovorn, of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors. “We vary work hours and consider other options to ensure quality road projects and a safe working environment within the work zone.”

Here are the top 10 work zone safety tips.

• Expect the unexpected.

• Slow down.

• Don’t tailgate. Keep a safe distance between vehicles.

• Keep a safe distance between construction workers and equipment.

• Pay attention to the signs.

• Obey road crew flaggers.

• Stay alert and minimize distractions.

• Keep up with the traffic flow.

• Schedule enough time and call 511 or go to www.511.ky.gov for Kentucky traffic and travel information.

• Be patient and stay calm.

This week’s work zone awareness events coincide with “National Work Zone Awareness Week.”

The preceding press release was from kentucky.gov

[Kentucky News]

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet eager to ‘Adopt’ your student’s ideas
Adopt-a-Highway poster contest deadline September 30



FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2011) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet today announced the beginning of the 2011 Adopt-a-Highway Poster Contest. Students from across the Commonwealth are invited to submit creative works for use in the Adopt-a-Highway calendar for 2012. The contest is open to all Kentucky students of elementary, middle and high school age.

Exposure to the contest and to the Adopt-a-Highway program provides young people with a sense of ownership in Kentucky’s highways and stresses the importance of keeping Kentucky’s highways clean and free of litter. The contest is aimed at educating and encouraging children not to litter and to spread the message to others.

“Through this program the cabinet hopes to increase environmental awareness and stewardship among children and to bring about a change in attitudes and behaviors concerning a growing problem with litter,” said Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock.

“With your child’s help a change in attitudes could result in a pleasing change of scenery. We encourage all students to participate in this worthy contest,” Hancock said.

Parents, teachers and family members are asked to encourage children to participate in the contest. The entry form with the necessary certificate of authenticity can be obtained by contacting the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Office of Public Affairs.

The form also is available online at adopt-a-highway.ky.gov/. Click on poster contest.

Entries must be postmarked by September 30, 2011.