Briefing: Civilian Flagger Program
Gov. Deval Patrick recently announced a list of MassHighway construction projects that will use civilian flaggers in place of police officers. According to the Patrick administration, the expanded civilian flagger program, a part of the Massachusetts Recovery Plan, is expected to save taxpayers millions of dollars over the course of an entire construction season.
How does the program work?
Civilian flaggers will replace police officers at 71 new construction projects across the state. Cost savings will be controlled by both the number of flaggers used at each job site and the number of hours those flaggers work.
What are the expected savings?
According to MassHighway, on a single day last month, the state saved 37 percent over police detail costs when civilian flaggers were used in 10 work zones. Last fall, the state used 29 flaggers, which saved only $12,500. Hugh Cameron, president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police AFL-CIO said that Gov. Patrick’s estimated savings of $5.7 million was inflated by about $1 million, as a recent audit highlighted a possible decrease in public safety.
How will civilian flaggers be used?
Civilian flaggers will be used on state roadways, according to the speed limit of the roadway, and on municipal roadways when the state serves as the awarding authority.
Who will serve as flaggers?
Flaggers will be a combination of MassHighway personnel and private contractors. Currently, more than 800 MassHighway employees have completed implementation training, which provides guidance for setting up safe traffic controls.
How is Central Massachusetts affected?
Of the 71 new construction projects approved for civilian flagger use, seven fall within Central Massachusetts: resurfacing of Route 62 in Barre; resurfacing of Route 32 in Hardwick and New Braintree; bridge repair on Interstate 290 over Interstate 495 in Marlborough; reconstruction of Route 62 in Hubbardston; intersection improvements on Central and Willard Streets In Leominster; construction of the Upper Charles Bike Trail in Milford; and work on East Main Street and Routes 12, 16 and 193 in Webster.
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