HOLLAND, Ohio — If you've driven on I-475 through the Holland area, you've seen those orange barrels. You also may have seen some crashes.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said a work zone enhances the potential for crashes for a number of reasons: work zones may not have a shoulder, merging lanes are usually quicker and traffic patterns change.
So, OSHP is asking drivers to be more careful and pay attention when traveling through these areas.
"Several of the crashes we've had in this area are a result of distracted driving," OSHP Toledo post commander Bradley Longo said. "Whether it be on your cell phone or just looking out the window at something and it's taking your attention off the road."
Since the lane switch, OSHP has tracked 51 crashes in that area. 15 of those crashes have involved a semi-truck and 12 have been speed related.
"A lot of the crashes we've seen recently in the area are a result of following distances and assured clearance ahead, where they are rear-ending the vehicle in front of them," Longo said. "Also, a couple of sideswipes where the ramps may have been changed where they're entering or exiting the interstate."
When a crash happens in a work zone, it makes it harder for first responders to get there. And depending on the severity of the crash, the interstate may have to be closed like it was on I-475 at US 24 by the exit ramp after a semi truck crashed and caused a fire on Jan. 31.
"A lot of that is because it's been shortened to an extent to make sure they have enough space to get over with the work zone," Longo said. "There were some adjustments such as entering from US 24 going north on I-475. That entrance was shortened quite a bit and a lot quicker."
Speeding is also a factor, further necessitating attentive driving.
"The main changes you're going to see are the bilateral traffic both north and southbound are going to be in those southbound lanes," Longo said. "You're also going see to a variable speed limit that can change based on the work that's being done that day."
Construction on the expansion project isn't expected to be done until sometime in 2024.