23 tickets issued to motorists driving through intersection closed for roundabout construction
A van drives around the "road closed" signs to pass through the intersection of Geddes and Ridge roads in Superior Township Tuesday afternoon.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
Though the intersection has been completely closed to traffic since June 17 for the construction, drivers were reportedly pushing construction barrels out of the way with their cars to get through, according to the Washtenaw County Road Commission.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office dispatched two deputies to the intersection who ticketed numerous drivers during peak travel hours Monday.
Deputies made about 35 traffic stops and issued 23 tickets to drivers at the intersection, said Sgt. Geoff Fox of the Sheriff's Office.
Work began June 17 on the intersection to convert the four-way stop into a single-lane roundabout -- which meant the intersection had to be completely closed to traffic. Crews contracted by the Road Commission removed the top layer of asphalt from the road June 18.
"The construction company has been having problems with cars going through the barricades and it has created a safety issue for the workers," Fox said in an emailed statement. "The intersection is completely closed and clearly marked but yet we still have people driving around the barricades and even getting out of their cars to move them so they can drive through."
Matt MacDonell, senior project manager for the Road Commission, said it’s common for drivers -- especially in the first week of construction -- to drive around “road closed” signs.
Dispatching police to the area to enforce the closure typically changes the attitudes of most drivers, MacDonell said.
“We’ve found it’s very helpful,” he said.
MacDonell said the police enforcement is intended to target commuters that drive Geddes Road daily and keep driving around the sign, even though the intersection is closed.
The Road Commission is spending several thousand dollars on notification signs marking the intersection closure and the detour route, MacDonell said.
The detour is a relatively lengthy route about seven miles long from Prospect Road, Holmes Road, Michigan Avenue and Denton Road to Proctor Road.
The $1.1 million roundabout project is expected to be completed by Aug. 23.
View Geddes and Ridge roads in a larger map
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
Buckybeaver
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
Drivers are frustrated because detour routes have not been adaquetly controlled for flow. The dirt roads like Stone school, Marton, Morgan and Textile have not been graded in 6 months and are darn near impassable. Likewise the untrimmed brush growth at Ellsworth and S Research drive make seeing oncoming traffic impossible. I would have thought a little more planning might have gone into this.
A A Resident
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
If there are no workers present, and your vehicle can handle the conditions, what's so wrong with going through? If Americans were a bunch of obedient little puppets, we'd still be "The Colonies". I salute those who thought for themselves, and went on through if it posed no danger to workers or equipment. It's the spirit on which this country was founded.
SEC Fan
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
The problem is that there is a great deal of prep work that must be done before concrete, asphalt, etc. can be put down. People driving over the areas will result in more work/costs as they must re-do it...
a2gretta
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 2:25 p.m.
The Revolutionary War was an illegal action which paid off handsomely for us. If you indulge in illegal activity you have to be prepared for the consequences, in this case a ticket, and take it without complaining.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.
"If there are no workers present, and your vehicle can handle the conditions, what's so wrong with going through?" Because it's closed. Why is that so hard to understand?
Ricardo Queso
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 12:29 p.m.
This problem would not exist if we had a high speed light rail system on Geddes Road!
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 6:05 a.m.
I was headed to a friends house in a sub just west of Ridge. I encountered the road closed sign at Prospect and Geddes, so I took the 7 mile detour and ended up east of Geddes and Ridge with another road closed sign. There is a lack of information at both ends of the detour as to what you can get to on the local only Geddes road. They need to say at Prospect that all homes west of Prospect can be accessed by going east at Prospect and Geddes and to not take the detour. Same goes for the other end. If I had not driven through the road closure, I would have had to drive back 7 miles to Prospect and Geddes via the detour, then go east on Geddes 3 miles to my friends house.
Frustrated in A2
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 5:17 a.m.
I oft times see a lot of selfish driving in this town. A road closed sign, orange cones across a lane or even a police and/or fire vehicle across the road means nothing to people. If you have to drive on the wrong side of the road and nobody directs you to do so then there's a good chance you're doing something wrong people!
brian
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 2:28 a.m.
1.1 million for a roundabout, wow that's a lot of money.
Tag
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 3:12 a.m.
Serious question .... How much is each ticket? How many tickets would it take to pay for that roundabout?
dfossil
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:47 p.m.
Too bad they aren't targeting the State street/ Ellsworth roundabout as folks are really ignoring the do not enter signs all the time. This does not involve a 7 mile detour.
Ann English
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 11:33 p.m.
If you're coming from Saline, learn detours to your destination, like using Lohr or Platt Road. From State Road, you can take Morgan Road to Stone School Road, if that will get you to your destination. Even some of the road maps provided for these articles show a road off State Street between eastbound I-94's entrance ramp and Research Park Drive that will get you to Research Park Drive, so you don't have to go through the Airport Boulevard-State Street intersection from the north.
Chester Drawers
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
These are probably some of the same drivers who never stop for emergency vehicles. NOTHING stops them!
SEC Fan
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:08 p.m.
uh...the road is closed. Doesn't matter why...Doesn't matter if they build a 10 foot concrete fence with an alligator filled moat around it...or just clearly mark it with a sign and orange barrels/barriers. you drive through it and get caught...you get a ticket. You know the risk...
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:30 p.m.
Unless you're some blockhead whose aim in life is never to be inconvenienced by anything no matter how important.
Julius
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 6:07 p.m.
Well, to me the question is this: Is this area in a state that requires it to be closed? In other words, yes, it's under construction and it's marked, but it IS possible to drive through without disrupting work that has been done or without endangering anyone (no one's there). That, and the detour is borderline absurd (just drive around a space roughly equivalent to the city of Ypsilanti in land area....). Can't the work be done in a away that doesn't completely close the intersection? You can have a temporary apron in place that can shift the traffic one direction about 20 feet while you build half of the roundabout. Then you can repeat for the other side. There would come a day when you'd have to completely close it, but that would be to place the island portion. I would think if compliance is the goal, then you'd either plan better so as to minimize the closure, or you'd make it physically impossible to pass the intersection.
ThinkingOne
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 2:34 p.m.
I am sure that any other way to do it would require more work and a higher cost. Then everyone would be griping about the expense.
Tesla
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
Smells like a typical easy money grab for the police. I agree with Ross. If the roads closed, close the door. It's obvious you can drive right through.... What a low blow....
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:55 p.m.
Can you speculate on what part of the "ROAD CLOSED" is unclear to people?
SlothluvsChunk
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 5:02 p.m.
round a bouts are the 10th realm of HELL.. whoever thought they were a "good idea" was obviously drunk... They WOULD work, if people knew how to stop, and properly yield, but considering most drivers nowadays would rather text, talk or stuff their face while driving, proper driving and common sense are things of the past.
grimmk
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 7:12 a.m.
Just because you are too stubborn headed to figure them out... It's really simply. Yield to those IN the roundabout. If no one is IN the roundabout, follow through. Simple.
Rod Johnson
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 8:06 p.m.
They work fine.
rs
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 4:58 p.m.
The road is closed for construction and the photo (taken on a Tuesday afternoon) doesn't show a single worker on the construction site.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:35 p.m.
Perhaps the picture was taken at 5:00 or so.
Tesla
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 6:02 p.m.
Plus the door is wide open with a clean temporary roadbed. Like teasing a kid with candy then spanking him when he takes it.
Nicole Streeter
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 4:54 p.m.
OMG so what? People get tired of EVERYTHING constantly being under construction , with no real improvement to anything. Half the time the workers aren't even working and the road is still blocked off. Round a bouts are the worst structural engineering design ever anyway. Whoever thought up the idea to invent a roundabout where no one ever stops of properly yields must have been drunk.. I think there are other things more important things the police dept could be doing other than issuing citations for a victim less crime
clownfish
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 1:45 p.m.
How dare people invent a system of traffic control that results in less time idling and fewer accidents and deaths! Victim less, until a construction worker gets hit. I've seen it, it is not pretty.
Ann English
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 11:25 p.m.
I encounter plenty of other drivers who yield or stop if necessary at the Maple Road-eastbound M-14 ramp roundabout. Putting rough highway shoulder ridges into the Nixon Road-Huron Parkway roundabout helps keep drivers at low speeds; I don't see drivers failing to yield the right of way or stopping if necessary if someone else is already in that roundabout. This new roundabout at Geddes and Ridge Roads will help keep traffic moving without turning either road into a boulevard or parkway, which have periodic left-turn islands and therefore must be wider roads than Geddes or Ridge Road are.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.
If only the police took enforcement of pedestrian safety issues so seriously - cars that ignore crosswalks, failure to yield, and other dangerous driving.
Julius
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 5:58 p.m.
Not to mention pedestrians who think they're invincible.
AnnArborDon
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
Although I am not in any way excusing the people who did this, many times road closures will say "except for local traffic". Some of these unobservant people may have not noticed the different signage and legitimately thought they were allowed. However, it seems like this entire discussion could be rendered moot if they just blocked the intersection with some of those large movable concrete barriers that are used to separate lanes for highway construction. May cost a bit more to move in and out, but then NOBODY will move them out of the way, by hand or with their car, to drive around. This road is REALLY CLOSED!
Ann English
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 11:17 p.m.
I have seen road closure signs saying, "Closed to through traffic." Hope these arrogant drivers who think the signs there don't pertain to them are not residents in the Brumley Street subdivision off Geddes to the west. There's no sign at the Geddes-Ridge intersection saying, "Closed to thru traffic." If there were, residents of that subdivision would be allowed to go through it, coming from the east, south or north.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:53 p.m.
in the realm of law enforcement, what's the difference between a closed road and a REALLY closed road?
Some Guy in A2
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
Is it ok to move the plastic barrels when there is a newly paved section of freeway? The concept of moving construction barriers, regardless of the type or location, is just absurd. As a secondary argument, they need to get construction equipment in and out of a job site all day long. Concrete barriers would just hinder their efforts, which causes them to take more time. Longer time means larger cost. I don't know about you, but I have no interest in paying a cent more in construction costs because someone wants concrete barriers to keep idiot drivers out of a job site.
Eep
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
If the intersection was blocked with concrete barriers in a way that totally prevented anyone from driving around them, how would the construction vehicles and equipment get in and out? What about ambulances and fire trucks?
Mr. Ed
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
Keep up the good work deputies.
Dave
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:14 p.m.
State St roundabout construction is also a ticket haven for AAPD.
Dave
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 8:30 p.m.
True...and someone does it about every 30 seconds.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 7:52 p.m.
Only if you violate a law.
Mary D.
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:51 p.m.
Same side of town, so I thought I'd ask: I have been driving to King School from the southwest side of Ann Arbor this week. At the traffic circle at Geddes and Earhart, the west-bound lane to Geddes is closed. Today I drove east-bound on Geddes to Earhart without seeing any sign of roadwork equipment, materials, signs or workers. Why is the west-bound lane to Geddes (at Earhart/Concordia College) barricaded with a Road Closed sign?
cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq.
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.
$
Billy
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 5:19 p.m.
Yeah that second of road ALWAYS goes bad once spring comes through. We get rains and it washes out the roadway in several spots. Add to that it looks like there was a bunch of city sewer work done on BRAND NEW ROAD (that was a MASSIVE error on their part) so now there are multiple huge patches that have all started to sink in. They basically fixed that horrible section of road (between the Parkway and the top of the hill before C)oncordia when they repaved it....and then almost IMMEDIATELY after they did that they proceeded to cut the road up and do utility work or whatever it was they were doing....which promptly put that road RIGHT back where it was before they patched it. That's a really nice section of road, but the westbound lane of that "new" road has been ruined by all the additional work done to on it.
Amy Biolchini
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
Westbound Geddes Road is closed at Earhart for three days this week as the city of Ann Arbor patches some damaged parts of the road with asphalt. Next week, eastbound Geddes Road traffic between Huron Parkway and Earhart may be affected briefly for the same work. http://www.annarbor.com/news/westbound-geddes-road-to-close-tuesday-in-ann-arbor-for-repairs/
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:11 p.m.
Many people are fed up with road closures when there is no work being done. No workers on site. Many times the roads should be open during those times of in-activity. If the police are ticketing people during non-essential closures, then it is just a revenue grab. Rather than sitting in the police car with the a/c cranked, maybe the "civil servant" should get up and direct traffic through the site.
Boo Radley
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 6:04 p.m.
We get it, Nicholas ... you don't like cops. You have made that clear with your comments on every article and column with any police related content. You should take some time to reflect on just what has caused that, and whether it is reasonable.
jcj
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 6:02 p.m.
seldon With who?
jcj
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
Nicholas I thought you ONLY rode your bike! It is unlike you to defend motorist! Or is your disdain for the police greater than it is for motorist? As usual another comment for the believe it or not part of the bulletin board. You get 10 thumbs down.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 5 p.m.
A police officer enforcing the law is not tieing him up or wasting his time. It's doing his job. Directing traffic through a closed road would be tieing him up as well as wasting his time.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
"Tying up scarce resources by having an officer out directing traffic" Based on the number of tickets written, that "scarce" resource was staked out at the location for many hours.
seldon
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:12 p.m.
I completely agree.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
Part of the reason it's closed is that during construction it's often not safe to drive through it. It would be pretty dumb to have a police office directing traffic through an unsafe area.
Boo Radley
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
And everyone who works in an air conditioned office, store, or business should move their work outside in the heat and humidity. Tying up scarce resources by having an officer out directing traffic in an area with more than adequate signage would not be wise. Some tickets issued, a story about the tickets on aa.com, and you quickly have much better compliance with the signs.
cibachrome
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
This would make some great video journalism. Let's see the before, during and after scenes !
Think!
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
The myopia, arrogance, and egocentric sense of entitlement of many Americans never ceases to amaze me.
Robert Granville
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:52 p.m.
I will never understand this behavior. Saw the same thing up close when my street, Golden Ave., was closed to left turns and later to all traffic when the bridge work was going on. I even had to yell at one idiot who got out of his car to move the road closed signs so he could go the wrong way down the closed one way street. What nerve!
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
What was the length of time between when the barrels went up and work actually started? It will be interesting to see how long before they go away when construction is complete.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.
Certainly no excuse for blowing through the intersection then.
Amy Biolchini
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:20 p.m.
The intersection was completely closed beginning Monday, June 17 and the next day crews milled the pavement off of the intersection. Since then, utility work has been under way.
Amy Biolchini
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
I included the detour route on the map embedded in the story -- it's definitely a lengthy one. Does anyone have any other detour suggestions? Matt MacDonnell from the Road Commission said at the beginning of many construction projects, drivers don't believe the "road closed" signs and choose to pass through anyways. Rain and some delays on behalf of the construction company meant there was not as much heavy construction under way at the site throughout the past week.
Ann English
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 11:07 p.m.
If you intend to go further east in Canton than Sheldon Road, you can take Michigan Avenue instead of Geddes. I know, Kyle, the westernmost six mile of Cherry Hill Road are dirt, but all the rest of it is paved. People could take Gale to Vreeland, turning north and then south to get where it picks up again from north-south roads, but Gale and Vreeland are dirt, too, and Vreeland ends at Gotfredson Road. That's west of Ridge Road. It all depends on one's destination. If it's Romulus or Taylor, Ecorse Road would be even better than Michigan Avenue.
SuperiorMother
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
AATator, that school is actually in Washtenaw County. (The county line is about half a mile to the east of the Geddes/Ridge intersection.)
AATator
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.
If you're willing to brave dirt roads, Gotfredson (the road just prior to Ridge headed EB) is in good condition headed north and south. It's past the initial barricade, however, but well before the actual construction. Part of the problem with the detour is that it sends you onto Holmes Rd, which, unlike Geddes, is not a straight shot through; it goes through several developed areas and has substantially higher traffic than Geddes does that far east. About the only way they could've made it worse was to detour you onto Clark Rd (which, while it lacks the traffic lights, has a 35MPH speed limit the entire way past Prospect) or take you north to Ford (which gets so horribly clogged that it's embarrassing). I think the only reason they're building the roundabout is because of the new charter school that got dropped at the corner (and why *there* of all places??) and the increased traffic that it brings. If Canton/Wayne County wanted to actually bring people to the Cherry Hill Village area, they would've put the school down *in the village* instead of so far south of it.
Kyle Mattson
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:44 p.m.
I used to drive that route pretty regularly back when I lived in Canton, the posted detour is probably the quickest route as Cherry Hill is dirt between Prospect and Ridge, and going up to Ford would make it an even longer trip.
BenWoodruff
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
Amy, good point. I'd like to know how many days they have actually worked since closing the road. It's so frustrating to see these projects get started and see no work done for days.
notob
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:19 p.m.
Seven mile detour?? I don't blame the motorists for taking the chance. I think they should've planned for something a little better than that. Maybe a temporary road or something. Poor planning.
Umlud
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:06 p.m.
Where would this "temporary road or something" be built? Across whose lands? Under what additional costs for construction and removal and restoration? Look at the map: this area isn't a city; the major roads are miles apart, the minor roads don't really connect the major roads (and likely have a far slower speed limit). This isn't "poor planning"; it's the constraints of choosing to not live in exurbia.
SuperiorMother
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
Usual Suspect, the detour adds 2.8 miles if you are traveling from one end of the detour to the other. If you are traveling to or from any place within the detour, it adds a fair amount more. Still, I don't know what detour they could have established that would be significantly shorter for through traffic.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:27 p.m.
Send them down MacArthur Blvd. That will reduce traffic by ending the lives of all the commuters who travel that route. By the way, the detour doesn't add 7 miles, though ti does sound like it. The straight route is 4 miles, the detour is 6.8, so it's only 2.8 additional miles.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
For the people who always claim that enforcement of the law against [insert the law you like to violate here] only has to do with generating revenue, I have a way for you to guarantee they will stop using that as a way to generate revenue: stop violating that law. I know this is a complicated concept, so if you need more explanation, let me know and I'll try to explain it in more detail.
clownfish
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
Home run ball, Sparty!
Sparty
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 4:38 a.m.
I insert ObamaCare, and hope for the same level of compliance and support for the law as is shown here today. Amen.
Billy
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.
"and even getting out of their cars to move them so they can drive through." That level of entitlement....you should lose your license for it.
a2citizen
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
Only in Ann Arbor would someone drive between orange and white barrels, through 4x8 orange/white barricades and past a sign that says "ROAD CLOSED" and say "I got a ticket because the city needs the revenue". That's not even counting the signs 1/2 mile before the site that said "ROAD CLOSED AHEAD DUE TO CONSTRUCTION". Only in ann arbor.
clownfish
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 1:39 p.m.
NEVER let facts get in the way of stereotypes! Who cares if this location is well outside A2
a2citizen
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 10:35 p.m.
But they come to ann arbor to complain. Because everywhere else they would be told, "tough ----".
nvragain
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
This is neither Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti. This is Superior township, hence why the WCSD was out doing the ticketing. I am more interested to see if the WCSD picked up anyone with outstanding warrants, this interesection is oh so close to Macarthur Blvd
Robert Granville
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.
Definitely not "only in ann arbor"
Billy
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:14 p.m.
Ok ok...i'll give you that one Usual...
RunsWithScissors
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:13 p.m.
"entitlement zone" Priceless.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.
The entitlement zone expands way beyond the city proper.
Billy
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:03 p.m.
This area would be considered Ypsi before it would be considered Ann Arbor....
Some Guy in A2
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 12:59 p.m.
People really think this is a revenue maneuver? Re-read the article. "...drivers were reportedly pushing construction barrels out of the way with their cars to get through..." The road is closed by any sense of the term. If someone is surprised by a ticket for driving through a completely closed road, then maybe they shouldn't be driving.
An Arborigine
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.
Are fines doubled in that work zone? I can certainly understand their emphasis on enforcement at that site, then. Shooting fish in a barrel for revenue.
Frustrated in A2
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 5:14 a.m.
The road is closed and the construction folks called to complain about people ignoring the signs. The police didn't set this up to make money they're responding to a complaint.
Are you serious?
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
Anybody who deliberately drives around these signs is probably as dumb as a fish.
Ross
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 12:34 p.m.
Maybe if the road is truly closed, they should block it off? Instead of letting people drive through and then surprising them with tickets just for revenue.
Bentman
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 8:48 a.m.
Ross is right, if you don't want cars going through a locus, you block it off completely, duh. This would save taxpayers from tickets and the waste of all of our monies stationing an officer on site.
Ross
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 9:16 p.m.
No, I didn't get a ticket, and haven't tried to drive this way since the closing. I'm just saying, it's lame to half close a street, and then ticket people for sneaking through if they aren't hurting anything or endangering anyone.
jcj
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 5:55 p.m.
Ross Did you get a ticket? Poor picked on guy. Wha
SuperiorMother
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:34 p.m.
"You can't handle the truth" - the only section that is actually closed is right at the intersection. Everything else along Geddes is accessible to local traffic. It's a pain (we live right off Geddes, not far from Ridge) if you need to go from one side of Ridge to the other, though.
you can't handle the truth
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:22 p.m.
There are a lot of houses and subdivisions in that long stretch of road that are only accessible via Geddes.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
Did you see the picture? It is blocked off. What do you want, a mote and anti-tank artillery?
a2citizen
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 12:27 p.m.
"Deputies made about 35 traffic stops and issued 23 tickets to drivers..." Why would someone get a warning?
Justin Altman
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 9:26 p.m.
Off duty cops, city/county employees, people that know how to name drop a Judge or Sheriff in the area... On the more "benefit of doubt" side, though, maybe the first few stops were just warnings, but, after the officers stopped their 12th car in the first hour or so, they decided that they needed to "send a message."
you can't handle the truth
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
Probably people who live in one of the many subdivisions that are in that long stretch of closed road.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
That's how I would handle it. The indignant ones need the ticket as an incentive to stop their illegal behavior, while those who admit responsibility are likely to take the detour next time without the incentive of the ticket.
Billy
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:13 p.m.
What I bet it really was...was that some of the people they pulled over could have been indignant about it, and those individuals would most certainly earn a ticket. Those that were genuinely apologetic and admitted fault right away....THOSE are the people who were given just warnings and allowed to go on their way. Your attitude when interacting with an officer always has some effect on how the officer treats you....just like interacting with any other human...
a2citizen
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
That was my guess...kind of like the seat belt dragnets that are occasionally ran. Maybe I should FOIA the tickets find out the race/sex numbers of the ticketed vs warned. That would be an honest snapshot.