EDMONTON, Alta. — A sea of orange is falling over Alberta highways as road crews prepare for a busy construction season, but they are appealing for drivers to slow down and obey warning signs.

Alberta Transportation, the Consulting Engineers of Alberta (CEA) and the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (ARHCA) are teaming up to execute a safety campaign that they hope will improve safety for drivers and road workers.

“We encourage motorists to obey the signs even when there are no construction workers on the road because there may be some other road hazards,” says ARHCA president, Barrie McPhalen. “As a rule of thumb, motorists should slow down and obey the signs on all highway construction sites.”

Last year’s Chip Seal Campaign resulted in far fewer complaints from rivers about chipped windshields, and Alberta Transportation officials hope this year is no different. The key, according to the department, is to slow down through areas where chip seal coating is taking place.

“There is little doubt a chip seal coated road is a safer road,” says Paul Ruffell, Vice-President of the CEA. “Chip seal coating really makes a difference for motorists by improving road traction in either very wet or icy conditions.”

Alberta Transportation will invest about $477 million in road and related infrastructure construction in 2001-02.