More relief for Hulen Street bridge traffic
 

Motorists travelling across the Hulen Street bridge may be able to shave time from their daily commute. In an ongoing effort to ease congestion along the bridge, North Texas Tollway Authority crews opened a dedicated right turn lane from northbound Hulen Street to Vickery Boulevard last week. Earlier this year, NTTA staff and the City of Fort Worth expedited work in the area to open an additional northbound lane at the intersection of Hulen Street and Vickery Boulevard to alleviate the existing traffic issues.

National Work Zone Awareness Week: Safety First
 

April 23-27 marks the 13th annual observance of National Work Zone Awareness Week. The week brings attention to both motorist and worker safety in work zones. Based on 2010 data compiled by the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, Texas led the pack in the number of reported fatalities in work zones; however, the Texas Department of Transportation has seen a 35 percent decline since 2009.

According to TxDOT:

• In 2010, more than 12,000 crashes and 100 fatalities occurred in work zones
• Of the 12,000, more than 3,000 were due to distracted drivers
• Forty-five percent of work zone fatalities in 2010 were 35 years old or younger and 61 percent were male

Here a few tips to remember when driving through work zones:

• Safety cones and barrels are placed to protect motorists and workers. Do not drive around or move them.
• Slow down and obey signs when driving through construction zones.
• Stay focused and avoid distractions (e.g. texting, phone calls, eating).
• Patience is a virtue.