HAMLET – Richmond County is in the 8th Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s structural network for roadway construction and maintenance.
Employees of the 8th Division’s workforce work diligently to ensure that our roadways are appropriately maintained and, especially, safe to travel upon.
Two of these conscientious individuals are sign erectors Josh Blake and Lee Miles.
Having been doing this job for 20 years, Josh has experienced his share of unusual (and often dangerous) situations.
“I was standing on my truck securing a sign on Highway 109 (Montgomery County) one time when a tractor-trailer took off my driver’s side mirror,” says Josh. “Luckily, I was on the passenger side at the time.”
Although based in the Montgomery and Moore area, Josh and Lee have been working Richmond County the last few weeks as well.
“Gary Davis just retired – he was the Richmond County guy forever,” Josh noted. “So we’ve been covering Richmond as well as our normal areas.”
“We try to get out here as soon as we get a call, especially for ‘stop’ or ‘yield’ signs,” notes Lee, himself having been with DOT for 11 years.
Josh and Lee indicate that citizens should alert their sheriff’s department if they notice any signs that are down or in need of repair. “That’s the most efficient way,” says Josh. “They (sheriff’s departments) are pretty quick to let us know what needs to be done and where.”
Detours and wrecks constitute the most problematic situations; the ongoing traffic flow and congestion present obstacles and safety hazards for the work crews.
But civil servants such as Josh and Lee continue doing their thing, despite the difficulties. “Yeah, we take pride on keeping our roads safe and properly ‘signed’ no matter what,” said Josh, with Lee nodding in agreement.
So next time you see the bright red stop sign or have to look at any other type of roadside signage for directions or other important information related to your driving, take a moment to consider the efforts of dedicated DOT personnel such as Josh Blake and Lee Miles; THEY and their co-workers are the ones who are helping to keep you and your family safe on the roadways.
