Lower speed limits sought at Ohio construction zones


By Karen Farkas

Plain Dealer Reporter

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Department of Transportation is investigating how it can reduce speed limits in temporary night-construction zones after the recent deaths of two workers.

A speed reduction is about the only thing left to try to get motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones, especially at night, said ODOT spokesman Scott Varner.

“There are reflective orange barrels, flashing signs, orange signs and lights that are as bright as day,” Varner said. “In both instances [workers’ deaths], our question is ‘What was it that this driver just did not see in this work zone?’ ’’

Randy Roginski, 41, of North Royalton was testing pavement on the right berm of Interstate 271 in Richfield Township when he was struck at 11:58 p.m. Tuesday. The left lane was closed for paving; traffic was in the right lane, said ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic. Motorists drove past orange warning signs, a police car with flashing lights and arrow boards moving traffic to the right lane, Chesnic said. Roginski was wearing a reflective vest. The speed limit there is 65. The motorist was not cited by the State Highway Patrol.

Eric Kirkbride, 25, of Zanesville was struck and killed at 1:30 a.m. July 14 as he worked behind orange cones on Interstate 70 in Columbus. Police said Kirkbride was struck by a sport utility vehicle and the driver did not stop.

Speed limits are set by state law. While ODOT posts lower speed limits in permanent work zones, they remain unchanged in temporary zones, Varner said. Since traffic volume is low at night, people have a tendency to speed, even in construction zones, Varner said.

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