ADA COUNTY- The Ada County Highway District reminds commuters to obey road signs and respect construction zones throughout the county. Additionally, the District urges citizens to refrain from moving any road or construction signs and calls on residents to report downed signs if they see them.
ACHD understands the frustration of coming across a "Road Closed" sign, especially when it adds time to residents' commutes. While the District works to minimize traffic disruptions, road closures are necessary for the safety of residents and construction workers. Whether it is from impatience, a lack of planning, or a false sense of confidence, choosing to ignore the signs can be dangerous and costly.
Ignoring road closed signs is not a new issue, and it's not unique to Ada County. News articles from around the country tell the unfortunate stories of drivers putting themselves, and their vehicles, in harm's way after ignoring road closure signs. The Washington Department of Transportation reported on a disabled vehicle that was left behind after a driver ignored a closure and ventured into an area experiencing ongoing large rockfall. The City of Jackson, MI issued a reminder to their residents after drivers nearly ended up in the river during a bridge replacement.
ACHD Deputy Director of Development and Technical Services Ryan Head noted that even if a driver can see from one end of the closure to the other, and it appears safe to enter, it may not be. "We need drivers to trust that we are strategic when placing signs. If you see a road closed sign, it is there for a reason," Head explained. "A closed road isn't always as it appears to the untrained eye. A great example of this was Park Lane that we closed last year due to a sink hole."
Park Lane was closed in 2022 for several weeks when ACHD discovered the sink hole. Crews covered the sink hole with a metal plate, so when glancing at the road, it appeared to be fine, with no work happening. Appearances are not always what they seem. Because of the complexity of the underground utilities in the area, engineers had to design a solution before construction crews could make the repairs. That meant the road was closed, even though there was no active work in the closure zone. However, a driver's choice to bypass the signs and enter, what appeared to be, an unnecessary closure put them in a dangerous situation. The metal plate was put in place to mitigate water from seeping underneath the road, but the plate was not meant to withstand the weight of a vehicle. Unfortunately, it was a situation ACHD staff witnessed and received reports about on numerous occasions.
"Drivers need to obey signage and respect the work we do to ensure safe transportation infrastructure in the county," said District Engineer Dale Kuperus. "Entering a closed work zone is a huge risk. Not only to your vehicle but your life and the lives of construction workers."
Ignoring a road closure can be costly. Financially speaking, a driver risks a fine, as failure to obey a road closed sign is against the law. Additionally, they may find themselves paying for significant damage to their vehicle. Drivers could encounter rocks, equipment, fresh paint, or wet concrete and asphalt.
"Financial repercussions are a best-case scenario in these types of situations," said Traffic Services Manager Shawn Martin. "Most importantly, we want every commuter to get to their destination safely."
With a full roster of road work, bridge replacements, underground work and the rare but possible sink hole, drivers risk a lot more than their paycheck when entering a work zone unlawfully. Avoiding a detour and trying to save a few minutes on their commute could end in tragedy.
While occasionally a sign is blown over by large gusts of wind, the District has also experienced issues with people moving signs or knocking them down completely. Residents should be aware it is unlawful to move or manipulate signs and such action puts fellow drivers at huge risk. If a resident ever notices a sign has been moved or knocked down, they should report it immediately by contacting ACHD at (208) 387-6100.
Commuters can avoid frustration by being prepared. ACHD's RITA map lists current and upcoming roadwork, allowing residents to plan their commutes. Residents can also follow ACHD's social media pages, and sign up for email alerts to be informed about upcoming roadwork.