Jefferson County road crew recognized

When Jefferson County Road and Bridge crews needed a better way to communicate, they built one.

Now the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) has awarded the division its 2019 Innovation Idea Award.

Public Works Administrator Dave Walrath said road crews found that two-way radios became unusable by flag and construction crews due to distance or terrain and that put the public and employees at risk.

The road crew created a mobile repeater system that allows crews to work greater distances apart with better communications. It especially helps flaggers stationed at each end of a construction project. The project cost about $5,000.

Because the system is mobile, it can move with the project as road work progresses and allow workers to be further apart.

The crew will be presented a formal award during the Idaho Association of Counties meetings later this fall.