The governor has signed into law House Bill 2265 that allows photo radar to be used in construction zones. HB 2265 lifts the sunset on a program that permits the use of photo radar in highway work zones when highway workers are present or when the configuration of the roadway is temporarily changed. AGC’s Highway Council Chair Brian Gray testified on May 16, 2013 in front of the Senate Committee on Business and Transportation on the importance of passing this bill as a safety tool. He painted a picture for members of the committee by showing images of work zones on I-5, I-84 and Highway 30 at night. He described a typical job where one lane is open for traffic and the other lane is closed for paving with approximately 12–14 feet of room to complete the job and only 2–3 feet between workers and traffic. He shared a personal story of his company, Knife River, which lost one of their traffic control supervisors last year on Highway 99 when he was hit by a car in the work zone. This story served as an example to the committee that construction signs, amber lights, and safety cones are not as effective as enforcement such as the presence of police cars or photo radar. Gray urged the committee’s support of the bill as a means of improving safety for all in the work zones. Because of this work, photo radar will now be implemented as an important safety tool for all construction workers in highway work zones.
For more information on this program, please email Brian Gray.
For more information on this bill, please contact John Rakowitz, 503-317-1781.