Council Member Ben Kallos' bill would require that roadblocks like traffic cones, barrels and Jersey barriers only be set up for one hour before and one hour after work is underway. (New York Daily News photo)

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/

Today's top stories

New Bridges Part of Iowa's $114M Madison Avenue Project

Eagle Bridge Co. Works On Final Leg of U.S. 35 Upgrade

Fay Preps Way for Pittsburgh International Airport Modernization Project

SAKAI Achieves Record Sales, Production

Takeuchi Recognizes Top Dealers at 2024 Dealer Summit

Muddy Water Dredging Christens Marlin Class Dredge

Indiana Officials Mark Start of 2024 Construction Season, Promote Safety

Leica Geosystems Launches its First Machine Smart Antenna — Leica iCON gps 120