Barriers placed at J Avenue closure
The Montgomery County Secondary Roads Department is being stringent about a recent road closure.
County engineer Karen Albert said concrete barriers were erected on J Avenue between 215th and 230th Streets--a section of road closed due to flood damage
“We had someone take the fence and sign out on the J Avenue Road closure last weekend. The road is closed for a reason. That pipe was destroyed during the flooding in May and it's compromised and it is unsafe to drive over, especially with large trucks, explained Albert. ”So we are placing theseconcrete barriers to prevent the pipe from being crossed by traffic. I just need residents to understand that the bridge is closed for a reason. We have a compromised pipe, it's a liability.”
Similar incidents have taken place at other road closures, with people taking signs down and crossing where they are not supposed to. Albert sympathizes with motorists, but there are safety issues involved.
“We’ve had this problem come up numerous times. I understand it's inconvenient when a road is closed or a bridge is closed, but again, it's a liability for our structures. They're closed for a reason. Please do not remove the sign. Please do not cross it,” commented Albert.
Albert said if the situation continues, the county may look into placing cameras up to identify the drivers.
“I think it's probably something we may need to look into. It's been happening each time, pretty much each time we've closed a bridge or a road that people have removed our fences and our sign to cross where they aren’t supposed to. So I think we may need to look into that,” stated Albert
While Albert says she realizes part of that road at J Avenue looks like it can be crossed, officials don't know what kind of condition the pipe is in, so safety is of the upmost importance.
“It could be compromised and anybody crossing over it with a large truck or something could have it collapse underneath them, “ explained Albert.
Albert added residents need to understand that repairs to these pipes take a little while to do.
“There are plans to replace it. We are working with FEMA. This is not a quick process to get bridges repaired or replaced or pipes to get replaced or fixed. It does take a while. So maybe from now on, we'll just put up concrete barriers and forget the signs and fences because it continues to be removed every time. But I urge people to understand that just because something is closed, it doesn't mean it's never going to get replaced,” Albert advised