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The barrels have officially returned to the Veterans Memorial Bridge (though some never left) following the announcement of yet another lengthy maintenance project on the span.
It's a scene we've become accustomed to over the last few years, but this time there is an additional complication as the DOH also has closed the exit ramp leading from the bridge to West Virginia Route 2 South.
According to the official announcement, the work is scheduled through May 31, but we've seen these maintenance projects extended by days and even weeks in the past, depending on weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
As we all know, the maintenance on this bridge has resulted in traffic backups, vehicle crashes and some fatal accidents. Most of the time, officials have noted, they are the result of drivers not paying attention, speeding or being impatient as they travel.
With that in mind, we want to take this opportunity to urge our readers and the traveling public to take additional precautions when they are in the area of the Veterans Memorial Bridge during the next few months. Pay special attention to those around you as well as your own actions while behind the wheel. There are certain to be sudden lane changes by some drivers, and you may have to act quickly to respond.
Keep an eye open for warnings on road conditions and the potential for backups along U.S. 22.
Most of all, be patient. None of us enjoy the delays and difficulties caused by this project, but we only make it worse by rushing out in front of a line of cars or getting angry at others because the flow of traffic isn't going how you would like.
Also, remember, we won't have the Market Street Bridge to help alleviate some of those issues this time around.
This is an active work zone, and it will be incumbent on all of us to keep ourselves, other drivers and their passengers, and the road crew members safe as the project continues.