Work Zones: How the Southlake Mobility Team Works Together to Keep Workers and Motorists Safe

If you follow the Southlake Mobility Facebook page, you keep up with the lane closures, detours and road construction projects.

In construction lingo, these areas are known as work zones. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), work zones on U.S. highways have become progressively more dangerous for workers and drivers.

In efforts to keep workers, motorists and pedestrians safe, the Southlake Mobility Teams takes extensive measures to notify the public of upcoming roadwork, lane closures and the status of road construction projects.

Appropriate signage is placed in work zone areas, and sometimes flaggers are onsite to direct traffic.

“Work zones are inherently dangerous. Our team members are trained in safety protocols and will always wear personnel protective equipment such as visible vests so they stand out to drivers,” said Public Works Director Rob Cohen. “Driving within a work zone requires a higher level of attention and awareness as reaction times are reduced and obstacles such as barrels, cones, signs and equipment are very close to the edge of the pavement. Our safety protocols are intentional to protect our team members and the public.”

Updates are communicated across multiple social media channels such as Nextdoor and the Southlake Mobility Facebook page and are often shared via the Southlake DPS and City of Southlake Facebook pages.

In-depth details and information about larger road reconstruction projects such as N. White Chapel Boulevard can be found on My Southlake News, the City of Southlake and the Connect Southlake website.

Residents can also sign up for the mobility e-newsletter that goes out weekly.

“We do our best to keep residents and motorists and informed about upcoming road work,” Cohen stated. “It keeps the lines of communication open for questions, and it and notifies them that workers will be on-site so it’s best to slow down and drive cautiously.”