Repairing Guardrail Damage

Green Country roads are finally getting back to normal after the big snow storm two weeks ago. But with hundreds of car wrecks there's still damage left behind.<br/> <br/>News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson

Monday, December 11th 2006, 10:12 am

By: News On 6

Green Country roads are finally getting back to normal after the big snow storm two weeks ago. But with hundreds of car wrecks there's still damage left behind.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says now maintenance crews are working to fix that damage before someone gets hurt.

The roads are finally clear again. After nearly two weeks of snow and ice covered lanes the sun has come out and it's all melted away.

The big snow storm caught drivers off guard. Dozens of cars were left stuck on the side of the road, and for those who did make it out there was a slippery mess to navigate through. From fender benders to fatal collisions the storm caused hundreds of wrecks. Several cars slid right into the guardrails, concrete barriers and safety barrels along the highway causing lots of damage. Now, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is left repairing the wreckage.

"Our chief concern is the safety of the driving public and the passengers out there," said Cole Perryman with ODOT.

ODOT says those barriers are in place to keep people safe. Sometimes that means simply keeping your car on the road when the pavement is slick.

"The life that could have been and probably was saved, or any injury that was taken care of, that was the chief goal of the guardrail," Perryman said.

When drivers damage signs, guardrails or those concrete barriers they're the ones who are responsible for fixing them

"If we do know the party that was involved then there is some amount of liability there for damaging the property of the state," Perryman said.

But, it's not always easy to identify the culprit. If ODOT can't find out who did it the taxpayers are left to foot the bill

The storm may have increased their workload, but ODOT says they're prepared to work as long as it takes to make the needed repairs.

"Most undoubtedly the way these things work unfortunately, we'll probably have more hits that aren't even storm related that will be added to the maintenance schedule as well," said Perryman.

ODOT maintenance crews patrol the highways looking for damage. If you spot some, give them a call at (918) 838â€“9933.