(UPDATE, MAY 1) The Great Falls Police Department said this morning that an officer cited the driver in the first video for reckless driving, after the person drove through the construction zone again, while workers were present.
The workers captured the license plate after the driver maneuvered between a loader and a truck.
(1st REPORT, APRIL 30) Several days ago, work began on replacing water mains along Ninth Street NE between 32nd Street and 36th Street.
The intersection at Ninth Street NE and 36th Avenue NE closed on Monday, April 27, and is expected to remain closed for several weeks
Barriers and traffic cones have been placed around the work site, with detour signs re-routing traffic around the area.
However, one resident near the intersection has captured on video at least two vehicles driving through the work zone.
Ashley Oswalt shared these videos with KRTV:
Oswalt said: "People are ignoring the road closures to the point of driving through yards and over the temporary water source that is feeding the houses at the moment because of a 2 minute detour."
She added that one of the cars drove over a temporary water line that is putting water to five blocks of houses, then drove through her flower beds.
The Great Falls Police Department says that anyone who does this is at risk of receiving citations for moving the construction cones, traffic violations, and they would be liable for damages to City property, the homeowners' private property, etc.
The GFPD "strongly encourages" being a good neighbor by following this advice:
- Take the time to travel the correct route
- Never cross a construction zone
- Never drive on other people's property
- Understand the consequences - if you damage a water line, not only do you become liable for all damages, you risk the neighboring homes losing their water supply
- It costs nothing to do the right thing and set a good example
