Chad A. Johnson, P.E., Pierce County Bruce G. Stelzner, Chippewa County Greg Schnell, Sheboygan County What’s New with County Road Construction

“But I need to get to…” County Highway Project Communications in 2015

Today’s Highway Users: Busy Impatient Inflexible Reliant on GPS if non-local Exposed to staged construction, especially near metropolitan areas

Is there even a perfect way? What is the appropriate level of notification? There are local and non-local travelers. Schedules change rapidly: Weather Contractor/County operations Funding 44 Counties responded to a survey of notification methods.

Facebook 13 Counties Highway, County and Sheriff pages Instant information, but only to those that are connected Records retention challenges Pierce Co Sheriff’s Dept Facebook

County Website 38 Counties The most utilized of all methods Easy access for local and non-local citizens, 24 hours a day Can be changed rapidly if necessary Walworth Co Website

Local Media 34 Counties Includes newspaper, television and radio A good working relationship with reporters is helpful Can communicate long term or immediate information Newspaper: projects for the season, advanced notice TV and radio: daily updates

Project Information Meeting 29 Counties Required for any project with Federal Funding Meeting has to occur prior to Section 106 for Arch and Historical Second meeting likely necessary closer to construction

Changeable Message Signs 29 Counties Targets daily commuters Can be changed relatively quickly Draws more attention than a static sign Requires a decent shoulder or field driveway Disadvantage: 8 characters per line

Temporary Signs 26 Counties Targets daily commuters Cannot be changed quickly Do not attract as much attention as CMS Less expensive than CMS if multiple signs needed

Direct Correspondence 33 Counties For affected residents and businesses Can be very timely, especially if ed

Other Methods Twitter Door-to-door contact Mass notification via Dispatch or County EM Site visits

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