Contractors involved in highway and bridge improvement projects around the country are concerned about the safety of their employees when working next to moving traffic. Over the past five years, an estimated 650 workers have been killed nationally in work zone crashes. Speeding, distracted and impaired driving are blamed directly for many of the crashes and resulting fatalities. Contractors, however, are not able to control motorist behavior.

An important method for protecting workers from motor vehicle intrusions is the use of positive (concrete) barriers between vehicle traffic and construction activities. AGC is attempting to determine if state DOTs are allowing the regular use of positive barrier on federally funded projects in circumstances where their use would seem appropriate.

Please help us determine if this remains a problem in your state on federally funded projects by answering the following questions:

Question Title

* 1. Generally, does your state DOT include in project specifications the use of positive barriers where conditions offer workers no means of escape such as bridges and tunnels?

Question Title

* 2. Generally, does your state DOT include in project specifications the use of positive barrier for work zones lasting more than two weeks where the speed limit is 45 mph or higher and the nature of the work requires workers to be within one lane-width of an open travel lane?

Question Title

* 3. If your state does not include positive barrier in project specifications, will it nevertheless permit you to provide such protection for your employees?

Question Title

* 4. If your state DOT does not include positive barrier in the project specifications but you nevertheless decide to use it, is your bid likely to be competitive?

Question Title

* 5. If you determine post bid that you should use positive barrier on a project to protect your employees, is your DOT likely to approve a change order to pay for the cost of using positive barrier?

Question Title

* 6. Have there been circumstances where you have had workers injured or killed that might have been prevented if positive barrier had been used?

Question Title

* 7. Do you believe that cost is a determining factor for you state DOT, when deciding whether to include positive barrier in project specifications?

Question Title

* 8. Do you believe that when your state DOT makes decisions about the use of positive barrier that safety of workers is a primary factor?

Question Title

* 9. Do you believe that when your state DOT makes decisions about the use of positive barrier that motorist convenience is a primary factor?

Question Title

* 10. Other comments:

Question Title

* 11. Contact Information: Optional

T