Published Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:05 AM
Road work causes 7 wrecks
By JANET PHELPS
janet.phelps@theeagle.com
Seven wrecks in seven hours along the same stretch of Texas 6 in Navasota on Sunday were the result of increased holiday traffic and lane closures for construction, officials said Monday.
Grimes County officials were working Monday to establish details of at least 10 separate vehicle accidents on Sunday and early Monday morning, including one that killed an 83-year-old Colorado County man.
The seven closely connected wrecks on Sunday occurred at Texas 6 and F.M. 3090, where a northbound lane of Texas 6 was closed earlier this month because of construction.
Local Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Bob Colwell said the lane closure, where the four lanes of Texas 6 narrowed to three, likely contributed to the chain of accidents, but was not the only cause.
"It could have been a factor in the delay but we don't see it being the major cause of it, because traffic was flowing smoothly until 2 p.m.," he said, referring to the approximate time the first accident occurred.
It was unclear Monday exactly how many cars were involved in each accident, although Navasota Police Lt. Jorge De La Cruz said no one was seriously injured.
He said traffic was stalled along northbound Texas 6 until around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, about an hour after the last accident occurred.
Accidents on Sunday afternoon and evening occurred at 2:39, 5:28, 5:45, 6, 7:19, 8:07 and 9:37. Unrelated wrecks also occurred at the same site at 3:40 a.m. Sunday and at 6:12 a.m. Monday.
Troy Krenek of Garwood was killed in an unrelated single-vehicle accident while traveling north on Texas 90 in Grimes County around 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
De La Cruz said officials believe the wrecks were caused by motorists not paying attention to slowing vehicles in front of them.
Off-duty police officers, as well as Bryan-based Department of Public Safety troopers and Grimes County Sheriff's Office deputies, were called in to help police clear the wrecks from the roadway.
"There were so many of them that the reports are not even completed yet," De La Cruz said Monday. "I think, considering the circumstances, the officers did an excellent job."
Colwell said a northbound lane of Texas 6 was closed Nov. 12 to allow the contractor to continue work on a $100 million widening project on approximately nine miles of highway scheduled for completion in 2011.
"We usually don't have a lane closure over the holidays, but because of the football season we didn't allow the contractor to have lane closures during home football games. So we had to allow the contractor to progress with the project," he said.
Colwell asked motorists to use caution on that section of Texas 6 until the lane is re-opened around Dec. 24.
"We just ask everyone to slow down, pay attention to signs in the area and use a little extra caution and time when you go through that area," he said.
Comments
[comment]
6 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
Bradley On:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:05 PM
Comment Title: To Grump
Not an excuse for someone to sue at all. If the traffic control, which has been a problem on Hwy 6 with TJ Lambert, created an accident then it is the responsibility of the contractors GL Insurance to cover the cost. All of these were minor accidents and no deaths... its the point that the contractor is liable to maintain the proper standards. If someone builds a house for you and it collapses due to their inability to follow standards, they are liable, and this is no different. People who cause accidents due to excessive speed beyond the speed limit would not be able to claim this. Accident investigations clearly show excessive speed. This would be for accidents due to improper control devices. I am sure as a reasonable person, you understand my comment now. Thank you.
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Posted by:
Grump On:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:01 PM
Comment Title: To Bradley:
The American Way. Instead of admitting you caused an accident, look for an excuse and someone to sue.
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Posted by:
Bradley On:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 3:37 PM
Comment Title: Contractor Liability of Accidents
have met with TXDOT on a few occassions about the traffic control set-up by the contractor that is generally out of compliance with State standards. If you have an accident in a work zone, first take a lot of pictures and/or video, if available, of the work zone controls in place. Those pictures should note the signage leading into the work zone and the spacing of the signage. They should also include the channelizers (barrels, cones, etc.) and their spacing. Spacing can be recognized clearly by the lane striping. Lane striping (the centerline skips) have particular spacing and this helps to note the distance betweem barrels and signage. Also note any message boards and how they are protected. Note any concrete barriers and their placement. This sounds like a lot of work, but it could be the effort needed to find out that the contractor is liable for not being within specification of the Texas MUTCD. Accident victims can also go to www.globalinfratech.com and contact me where I can survey the accident site and assist with expert forensics of the work zone requirements.
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Posted by:
Loser Police On:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 10:48 AM
Comment Title:
The road work didn't cause the wrecks. Bad drivers caused the wrecks!
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Posted by:
Grump On:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 8:51 AM
Comment Title: Pay attention
If people would quit yapping on their cell phones, observe traffic signs and speed limits, and pay attention to the darn road, most accidents could be avoided.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 7:21 AM
Comment Title: Slow Down
I drive the posted speed limit in that construction zone and cars speed by disregarding the construction warning signs. Please slow down, better to get to your destination a few minutes later than not at all.
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