Friday, December 4, 2009

UNDER CONSTRUCTION


I've figured it out.

I have figured out why there is often so much road construction warning gear on the roads with no work going on around it all.

There is no place for road workers to store all their orange cones and barrels. No place for them to keep the signs that tell you fines double in work zones or that you're approaching a 55MPH zone.

So what do they do with them? They keep them on the roads until they're actually needed elsewhere. "Elsewhere" being a place where actual road constructing activity is taking place.

How many times--I mean how many, really?--have you braked to 55MPH for 7 miles, waiting to see this road construction advertised and discovered that no constructing is happening at all? Maybe you think, Oh today is an off day. Good for the workers. But then three days later you drive the same stretch and nothing is going on. Yet still fines double if you don't drive 55. Another off day? Well, still good for them. The next day you find yourself again slowing to 55 to avoid a doubled fine, paranoid that you are, and still there is no construction underway.

When this happens, you're driving through a Warehouse Zone, the place your state has decided to store their unneeded signage and cones.

But despite the fact that there is no work underway, you're still obligated to obey the signs, for the coppers can still haul your speeding self to the side of the road and issue a double-fine ticket for Speeding through that Warehouse Zone.

10 comments:

L said...

I posted a really funny comment and it didn't post. I am too tired to be angry so I will settle for disappointed. Perhaps I will try again when I get out of class tomorrow night.

Megan and Keli'i said...

So, this has nothing to do with this post, but how's your no-spending on clothes thing going? I am needing your help since I really, really want to buy something today.

Megan said...

I'm doing great, Megan. You can do it! If I can do it, anyone can.

Sue said...

HA! Finally the mystery is solved. I totally agree with you deduction.

rabidrunner said...

Who is this that's so wise in the ways of construction?

Unknown said...

These are contracted construction crews that primarily do that - leave signs/cones out when no work is occuring. NDOT workers are not allowed to do that and contractors aren't aupposed to either, but no one enforces it. Complain to NDOT about it.

Megan said...

Cely, after my years of figgurin' this out, you are telling me I'm all wrong? How could this be? When in my early 20s I came to this conclusion, telling all who would listen, I thought I was brilliant beyond my years. Now you're telling me it's just people disobeying the rules? I'm crushed.

lindsey v said...

Ha ha! I was just wondering where they store all those. Now I know.

They just finished widening a road near my house that took about 4 years and there were miles and miles of big orange cones. I could not fathom a warehouse big enough to store them all.

Jessica said...

I'm really liking this theory. Although, I must admit, I just speed through those areas.

L said...

Once upon a time in high school I use to take those abandoned cones and signs and relocate them to places like my principles u turn driveway. It takes quite the strategic planning to arrange for a driveway and road to become a detour. Unfortunately someone had other plans and put this fine plan to a halt. It would have been glorious had it turned out. I am thankful for those abandoned signs though. I have many a good night relocating them to other destinations. My favorite being Speed Humps Ahead.