I wish to extend my condolences and prayers for the James Rogers family, Ms. Cunningham, and the T-DOT family.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is a family that suffers when a member of their agency suffers. I had the pleasure of working for T-DOT Survey and Design Department in the mid 1980’s. Make no mistake about it utility, construction, and road work is extraordinarily dangerous.
During my time working for this agency, a surveyor in the department was killed working on new road alignment adjacent to driving lanes. T-DOT cannot close roadways in most cases to conduct their work.
So, the work of maintaining huge roadway systems with bridges and tunnels is very dangerous. Often times, all measures and precautions in place will not protect workers from the extraordinarily hazardous variables.
The people that manage and maintain public infrastructure deserve great respect. From confined spaces of utility work, to EPB lineman, to roadways, the risk these workers take should not be taken for granted. The actuaries for these municipal and state jobs speak volumes.
When you see these workers, they are risking their lives. Please respect that these workers have people that love them dearly. Obey the law, slow down, follow the directives, and know without them your utilities, roadways, and infrastructure would not be possible.
T-DOT, thank you for the services you provide graciously and professionally.
I pray for your organization and the Rogers family.
Blessing to you all.
April Eidson