Mom Would Be So Proud

Mom Would Be So Proud
Georgia DOT Crews Come Through During The Storm

Early on Mother’s Day, the storms blew in, knocking out power, downing trees and spreading debris across several counties. As Ken Robinson sat at home that Sunday morning; he knew the call would come. As a public servant Robinson left his family to head out into the destruction left behind from the tornados that ripped apart portions of Central Georgia. Robinson stated, “Once I knew that my family was safe, I headed towards Macon and began contacting employees to come in and begin clean-up efforts.”

He was not alone. On that Sunday afternoon more than 100 dedicated Georgia Department of Transportation employees headed out for the unknown. Their efforts began in the early afternoon hours when area foremen began directing them to the hardest hit areas. As fast as machinery was loaded, employees made their way to the damaged roadways. The first calls coming in stated that Interstates 16 and 75 were impassable; State Routes 19 and 18 had trees down across them. Chain saws buzzing and tractors rumbling to life, the crews, utilizing dump trucks, loaders, track-hoes, flatbed trailers and bucket trucks went to work clearing these areas by pushing the downed trees into the medians.

In the tornados’ aftermath, street signs and traffic signals dangled from precarious perches of bent and twisted steel. More than 650 signs, including 6 large interstate signs, were damaged and had to be replaced. Crews from Georgia DOT Traffic Operations replaced 15 traffic signals and assisted the City of Macon at an additional 10 intersections.

As the days became weeks, Georgia DOT averaged 138 employees daily working to clear over 700 dump truck and trailer loads full of debris clocking approximately 17,000 hours to clear the roads and make them safe for the traveling public. Thomas Howell, Georgia DOT District Engineer, said “I would like to commend the efforts of these men and women for leaving their families to help the residents of Bibb and Twiggs counties. They exemplified the true meaning of public service.”