Rhode Island reminds drivers to be careful in construction work zones

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — With construction season underway, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be careful in work zones.

The Department of Transportation is asking motorists to slow down and drive safely in work zones.

“This will be a banner year for construction for RIDOT, with 66 projects worth $1.9 billion underway in 2023,” Peter Alviti, director of the Department of Transportation. “We ask that drivers plan their trips and provide extra time for travel with the expectation that they may likely run into one of our work zones.”

The Department of Transportation said that across the country, fatal crashes in work zones have increased.

According to data from the Federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2021, 956 people were killed in work zone crashes — up from 863 in 2020.

The Department of Transportation said it hasn’t had any work zone deaths in many years. In Rhode Island, there were more than 760 work zone related crashes last year, “slightly higher than the 750 observed in 2021.”

The Department of Transportation said it plans the timing and duration of work zones to reduce the impact to traffic flow and travel time.