DOUGLAS COUNTY — First responders are training to better deal with crashes in the I-25 Gap construction project north of monument. Law enforcement, fire, medics and Colorado Department of Transportation crews came together to work on better coordination. "Every time a lane is closed. If there's four minutes of deal for every minute that, that scene is there." They want to get accidents cleared safely and more quickly.
The reason is more than the inconvenience for other drivers. “It increases the chance for a secondary crash,” CDOT Traffic Incident Management, Director, Patrick Chavez. Many times the secondary accidents have more severe consequences. “The further you backup, the more problems we have,” said Sgt. Brian Cagil with Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Since work started, there are a lot more accidents happening along the Gap. Emergency crews say the narrow lanes and shifting patterns require more attention by drivers. With most accidents, drivers have been distracted and driving faster than the lowered speeds in the construction zone.
