Editorial by The (Sunbury) Daily Item: Orange cone season returns in Pennsylvania

The region grows greener by the day as pinks and whites of flowering trees transition and plants of every shape, size and color emerge from winter dormancy as the world springs back to life.

While a month has passed since the chronological arrival of spring, only in recent days has it felt like the weather felt spring-like. While some winter-like days are likely to linger, the arrival of consistently nice weather also means the return of another, not-so-popular spring-time feature: Orange cone season.

We have reached the time of the year when short- and long-term road projects kick in, bringing with them the orange cones that make commutes longer than we would like.

Press releases filter in almost daily from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, reminding us to allocate extra time to get to work, school, appointments or dinner reservations.

These releases also serve as a valuable reminder for drivers to pay additional attention in construction zones. These expensive, important and timely projects are completed by our friends, family and neighbors, who are often standing near travel lanes to fill in potholes, replace bridges, update pavement or even build nearly billion-dollar bypasses.

Their safety depends on drivers following detours, posted signage and being contentious behind the wheel.

“We are beginning another construction season,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in announcing National Work Zone Awareness Week. “This means improved roads and bridges, but it can also mean hazards for our workers.

“These men and women deserve to get home safely. Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever. Slow down and never drive distracted, especially in work zones where roadway conditions can change every day.”

If it feels like all of these projects hit at the same time, it’s the curse of living in a place where four seasons still exist. It means orange cone season — the window where road crews and contractors have to get out there and make our drives less bumpy and safer — is relatively short in Pennsylvania. Projects tend to crank up in March or April, go full bore in the late spring, all summer and begin to wind down in late fall.

A recent stretch of mild winters has allowed some additional windows to get work done outside of the normal March-October window.

So we are beginning a stretch where any time we go anywhere, a short commute or even a long road trip, could mean seeing orange cones, flagmen slowing traffic and hard-working road crews trying to make our rides more enjoyable and — eventually — efficient.

Be aware of these work zones and the crews manning them. Allow for more time and pack some additional patience for your ride.

— The (Sunbury) Daily Item