AASHTO Journal, 2 October 2015
Matthew Driscoll, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, said a project under way in September and October will install 28 emergency gates on entrance ramps to major highway corridors, making it easier to close those roads quickly to improve public safety during winter storms.
NYSDOT is installing safety gates to help maintain safety during winter storm events.A first phase installed emergency closure gates at nine locations last fall, and this year’s work will put them on interchange ramps to State Route 5, Interstate 290, US Route 219 and State Route 400 in Erie County. The agency said the work will be done by Nov. 1.
This expansion of the gates network, NYSDOT said, will allow effective closures of on-ramps to major transportation routes and free up valuable assets such as equipment and personnel during emergencies.
“We strive to implement tools and methods that will help us manage our transportation system more efficiently, especially during critical highway incidents or weather emergencies,” said Driscoll. “The time and resources needed for emergency closures will be greatly reduced with the installation of additional gates on our major corridors.”
NYSDOT also said it “continues to work diligently with the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition, local emergency services, law enforcement agencies and volunteer fire departments to expedite expressway closures that are necessary due to incidents or emergencies.”