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Truck driver calls I-77 construction zone one of worst he's seen

By John Paul, wsoctv.com
By John Paul, wsoctv.com

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Channel 9 has been hearing complaints from drivers about how narrow the lanes are in the construction zone on Interstate 77.

Eyewitness News went out Monday to see how narrow they are for truck drivers. Channel 9 rode along with one driver who said the construction zone is one of the worst he has seen in his 15 years of driving.

A lot of drivers have complained that the lanes are very narrow in the construction area, but it’s even worse for the drivers of 18-wheelers.

D.M. Bowman Trucking allowed Channel 9 to tag along with 15-year veteran driver Olli Meeks.

“I go through there every day,” Meeks said. “It’s the worst construction zone I’ve ever seen.”

Channel 9 had three cameras on board. Two were on the sides of the trucks and one was inside to see how narrow the lanes are.

“You have no room for error,” Meeks said. “Nothing at all.”

The first thing that anchor John Paul noticed in the cab of the truck was how wide it is. That creates issues for truckers and other drivers.

The side view showed cars and other trucks passing with just inches to spare.  Rumble strips on one stretch make matters worse for drivers.

Construction crews tried to cover them up, but they still make for a bumpy ride.

“It’s rough and there’s grooves in it,” driver Tom Bowker said. “And I think it’s dangerous, to be honest with you.”

Meeks thinks so as well. The team drove through the area, well under the posted speed limit of 65 mph.

“I wouldn’t do 65,” Meeks said.

Paul has been asking officials about safety for weeks, and state officials finally responded Monday, acknowledging that the lanes are narrow.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said it will drop the speed limit to 55 mph as construction picks up. It will also add a new $250 fine for drivers who are caught speeding.

Channel 9 found that the Federal Highway Administration recommends lowering the speed limit in lanes less than 12 feet wide, especially those with small shoulders.

NCDOT provided a statement:

"At NCDOT, safety of motorists, as well as construction crews, is a top priority. All construction work on the I-77 Express Lanes Project is being performed in accordance with NCDOT guidelines for this project, which are in line with those on major roadway projects throughout the state.

"In addition, NCDOT has worked with I-77 Mobility Partners and the general contractor since construction began to improve pavement conditions along the corridor.

"With construction continuing on the I-77 Express Lanes project, motorists are reminded again to slow down, to allow extra time for traveling through the work zone and to keep space open between their vehicle and those in front of them.  Narrowed lanes and barriers alongside the roadway in any work zone mean there is almost no room for driver error, so the faster a driver is going, the less time there is to react and try to avoid a crash if there is a sudden change in the traffic ahead.

"NCDOT, I-77 Mobility Partners and the general contractor are working closely with emergency responders to make motorists aware of the work zone and to remind them to slow down and pay attention.

"An enhanced fine of $250, which is typical of work zones in North Carolina, will be in place throughout the I-77 Express Lanes work zone. This means if you get a ticket for speeding, in addition to the usual fine and court costs, a conviction in the work zone will cost an extra $250. Furthermore, the speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph to 55 mph when construction operations call for temporary lane closures."

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