Great DOT service!!!

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
December 2, 2013

Recently I was driving in eastern Tennessee and came across a dangerous road condition in a work zone. The interstate roadway narrowed, and only the left lane continued through a restricted lane with concrete barriers on both sides. There was only a bright, new, yellow lane line on the left shoulder, but there was no white fog line on the right shoulder to lead traffic over to the narrow left lane.

In hours of darkness or inclement weather of rain and fog, a driver would have a hard time determining in sufficient time that he was running out of the right lane. I emailed the Tennessee DOT offered suggestions that a white fog line and perhaps even barrels might be in order.

Last Tuesday I emailed them and today I received a very courteous response and an assurance that the road condition will be rectified.

Here is the reply, in part: "Safety is a priority to the Department and we greatly appreciate you bringing this to our attention. I have spoken with our inspection staff and directed that all white edge lines be installed by Wednesday this week if at all possible. In addition, barrels shall be adjusted to provide adequate spacing to clearly mark the lane transitions for motorists."

The author of the reply also provided the name of the Project Engineer, along with email and telephone contact information.

This reply is an excellent example of full transparency. My thanks go to the Tennessee DOT for their professionalism.