The head of the Iowa State Highway Patrol says D-O-T officials should get part of the credit for the low accident rate in the work zone along Interstate-235 which is the most expensive road construction project in state history.Major Robert Garrison says the D-O-T has clearly marked the Des Moines Freeway with white lines to separate lanes of traffic through the slight curves around work zones. Garrison says the “Jersey rail” along the shoulders helps, too. The “Jersey rail” is the concrete barriers that helps protect the workers. Garrison says law enforcement should get some credit for the low accident rate, too.Garrison says the enforcement effort of Des Moines metro police departments and the Patrol has reduced the speed, too. He says speeding had “gotten out of control” of I-235. Garrison says it’s hard to stop people on the freeway unless there’s a stationary radar and other cars stopping the cars. Garrison says the D-O-T’s also done a good job in getting the word out about road closures and offering alternate routes, especially during state tournaments and the State Fair when lots of out-of-towners travel the Des Moines Freeway.
