Maintaining safe and functional roads is an ongoing challenge that requires more than just materials and machinery. In Burnet, Texas, Kevin Lenox, a maintenance supervisor with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), oversees daily operations to ensure road safety for both workers and drivers.
“From day to day the maintenance office is just a roller coaster, sometimes,” Lenox said. “You might have a plan and there might be a wreck out there(and) we have to shut down what we’re doing, and go out there and help out law enforcement.”
Lenox explained that his team must be prepared for various emergencies. “I've actually even had a plane crash on a US highway, a couple of years ago, so you never know what might occur,” he said.
His experience as a Marine has influenced his approach to handling stressful situations. “Once that hits and the stress kind of settles in, there's things going on everywhere and that's where your leadership comes into play,” he said.
Lenox dedicates significant time to analyzing data, planning, and training staff because safety is paramount. He recalled an incident where a traffic cone flew from a moving truck and struck a worker’s hard hat. “I don't think a lot of people realize how much those cones weigh,” he said. “If one hits you, it's probably going to — at the very least — knock you unconscious.”
As part of his responsibilities, Lenox prioritizes team safety every day. “As a supervisor, my biggest fear is that I don't want to have those major horrific injuries or even a fatality. It’s not something that I ever want to experience” Lenox said. “We are really the first line of defense for each other. That's what keeps us coming home every day.”
The public can contribute to roadway safety by moving over or slowing down when approaching work zones or vehicles with flashing lights.
On a national level, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced new initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure resilience and supporting transportation workers’ safety across the country. For example, recent guidance from USDOT's Federal Highway Administration will provide $7.3 billion in formula funding to states through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, helping communities better prepare for extreme weather events such as wildfires and flooding (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-administration-announces-new-protect-formula-program-73-billion-bipartisan).
Additionally, USDOT has launched programs like FLOW (Freight Logistics Optimization Works) to enhance supply chain efficiency by facilitating secure data sharing among industry partners (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-supply-chain-companies-collaborate-speed-movement-goods-cut-costs-consumers). These efforts support both economic growth and public safety by ensuring efficient movement of goods while protecting workers on America’s roads.
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