Lynchburg, VA - Lynchburg police say there have been some close calls at a construction zone on 501 in Boonsboro. They've written at least 50 tickets in the last two weeks for everything from speeding, reckless driving and people passing on the double yellow line.
While crews install concrete drainage ditches, the speed limit has been reduced from 55 mph to 25 mph around the Wiggington Road overpass.
"You came through the work zone at 47 in a 25. Any reason you were going so fast today?" Officer Steve Saxon asks a driver he just pulled over.
The exchange has become familiar on the busy stretch of 501.
Crews just started installing drainage ditches but there have already been some close calls.
"There's been two times that I recall that the flag man has had to jump over the guardrail to keep from getting hit," said Raymond Jones, a construction worker.
Officers say the most common excuse from drivers: they didn't know they were in a construction zone.
So if you happen to be passing by, crews ask you to consider this:
"There's people's lives out here that they're putting in danger by going that fast through here," Jones added.
Police say the construction is expected to take four months.
