Ignoring road closed signs could get expensive

Cedar Rapids streets crews are shaking their heads after someone damaged a city street.

On Thursday crews poured new concrete on Glass Road Northeast.  The road was closed to everyone, except the families living in a condo in the middle of the road construction, but someone drove through anyway and left a permanent impression.

For an hour and a half that night, KCRG-TV9 crews sat and watched as drivers slowed, stopped and looked twice before driving on this piece of closed road.

“It happens a lot, nobody obeys the barricaded signs,” said Mike Leavens with the streets department.

Car after car went right past, some even after they noticed our camera.

Driving around the signs may seem like an innocent crime.  Crews said it's not, and said proof is when a driver went over the concrete they'd poured just hours earlier.

“It takes a certain amount of time to set up, and if they drive on it, they could fracture it and the they fracture it and it cracks, we're back to ground zero again,” said Leaven.

On the top, we only see tire tracks, but Leaven said they'll inspect this next week to see if it has to be torn out and replaced.

“Its regretful, disappointing, frustrating,” said Public Works Maintenance Manager Craig Hanson.

Hanson said drivers illegally go around road closed signs every day.  He said a couple times every year, they end up causing damage.

“I hope its the last, I hope your story help it be the last, but I'm realistic that there are people who do not care about what happens around them.  They're the same ones that hurt the environment and waste money,” said Hanson.

The police department can give tickets for ignoring road closed signs.  The total fine and costs for that ticket is $107.25.  Plus, Hanson said individual drivers could be liable for any damage caused.

By Justin Foss/KCRG-TV9