Budget cuts take toll on Road Rangers in Palm Beach, Broward
August 31st 2008
By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR
Motorists hope they never break down or get involved in a traffic accident on the major highways in Palm Beach or Broward counties.
For more than a decade, those who did could depend on Road Ranger highway assistance vehicles to help out 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Due to budget cuts, the program is going to be trimmed as it tries to operate on half of its normal budget, said Guy Francese, Road Ranger manager and head of the incident management program.
“In the near future, there will be fewer trucks on the road, limited weekday service and restrictions on fuel distribution,” said Francese. “Each Florida Department of Transportation district may experience different changes to their program.”
FDOT District Four Road Rangers cover I-95, I-595 and I-75 in Broward County as well as I-95 in Palm Beach County – and will continue to do so on a more limited basis, said Francese. He said the following changes are coming:
· In Palm Beach County as of Sept. 1, the Road Rangers fleet will be reduced from seven to five trucks. Hours of operation will be 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
· In Broward County as of Oct. 1, the Road Rangers’ fleet will be reduced from 12 to 10 trucks. Alligator Alley (I-75) will be covered from the eastern toll plaza to Mile Marker 50 on an on-call basis. Hours will be 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
· Motorists will be asked to try starting their vehicle before receiving gas assistance. If gas is needed, Road Rangers will provide up to one gallon.
Francese said the legislature initially wanted to cut the Rangers’ entire $5 million budget. But due to public outcry, it restored $2.3 million.
The schedule changes are based on analysis of historical data showing that 75 percent of motorist assists and 70 percent of crashes occur between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Road Rangers will offer motorist assistance, said Francese, but will place emphasis on incident management, helping Florida Highway Patrol at the scene of accidents and working to eliminate secondary crashes.
To offset the reduction in Road Ranger service hours, he said, “motorists are encouraged to be responsible for their fuel level and other vehicle maintenance.”
Francese said large blue signs on the highways say that Road Ranger service is available 24/7. These, he said, will have to be changed.
Dale M. King can be reached at 561-549-0832 or at dking@bocanews.com.
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