With road construction season underway, a new bill has been signed into law to protect the construction workers who are making Michigan’s roads and bridges safer.
House Bill 5286 was signed into law last week. The bill gives the Michigan Department of Transportation, county road commissions, or local road authorities the authority to implement traffic control measures. They are also able to use a digital message board to display the reduced speed limit required to protect safety.
The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Mark Huizinga, a Republican from Walker, said, “Having drivers reduce their speed when workers are present can decrease the likelihood of a tragic accident, but sometimes drivers don’t see the road crews until they are too close. By allowing for these modified signs, we can inform drivers about the presence of workers so they can follow the law and protect lives.”
Construction labor unions are endorsing the bill, saying that it will help improve worker safety as the state works to rebuild its infrastructure.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
