Construction sites that block roads and snarl traffic when no actual work is going on would face fines under a bill that was introduced Dec. 6 in the City Council.

The legislation, sponsored by Councilman Ben Kallos, would require that roadblocks like traffic cones, barrels and Jersey barriers only be set up in the street for one hour before and one hour after work is underway.

Kallos said drivers often encounter traffic backups caused by construction barriers and road closures, only to find the site empty.

“New Yorkers want to get where they are going fast. Everyone hates traffic jams, especially when they are for road work, but no one is actually there doing the work,” he said. “It's about making sure we are only impeding traffic and causing traffic when we absolutely need to.”

Currently, construction crews need a permit to do road work, but there are no restrictions on what hours barriers can be up.

The Department of Transportation would set the amount to fine violators, and would respond to 311 complaints about unnecessary barriers.

Source: New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/