Officer Ronald Howell of Columbus signals a driver headed south on Rt. 315 to pull over. Howell issued a ticket to the driver, who was going 10 mph over the speed limit. Ticket fines have ranged from $155 to $235.
From the beginning of construction, June 15, through Wednesday, police wrote 516 speeding tickets along the 3-mile stretch from North Broadway to I-670. During the same time last year, about 75 or 80 tickets were written, said Division of Police Lt. Ed Devennish.
"We normally do 50 tickets a week in that neighborhood," Devennish said. "We've got people slowed down now, and we're still gonna be hammering them."
Police have stepped up enforcement to keep construction workers and drivers safe during the $24 million project, which has closed 11 of the 21 exit and entrance ramps.
"There are more officers up there, and they're staying constantly in that area," Devennish said.
He said that normally an officer assigned to cover the area would be responsible for portions of I-670, I-70, I-71 and the far north area of I-270. In addition, officers who normally don't cover the area, such as motorcycle units, are working it.
Fines for speeding are increased along the route, where the normal speed limit of 55 mph has been reduced to 45 mph.
State law sets a standard 10 mph reduction in work zones, said Nancy Burton, Ohio Department of Transportation spokeswoman.
Devennish said that about 85 percent of ticketed speeders were going 10 mph to 19 mph over the limit, meaning they face a $195 fine. About 14 percent were going 20 mph or more above the limit, which can cost $235. The smallest fine is $155.
He said fines are the most effective way to deter speeders.
"If, for example, I stopped somebody and they said I am allowed to flog him and that would reduce accidents, I would flog him," Devennish said.
The last two worker deaths on a state construction project happened in 2003. Devennish wants it to be zero. "I'd say that's two too many in a 10-year period," he said.
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