# Men at ... work?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 27, 2000, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668 "2000-10-27T22:24:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@system\_hoser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system_hoser)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2000, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/1 "2000-10-27T22:24:32Z")
I am trying to find some information about how long a certain road resurfacing project should take. I have been browsing through the DOT website for the proper district, and I have found nothing helpful so far. The problem is that as a result of some road work, a section of traffic has been constricted from a pair of two lane, one way interstate highway into a single two lane, two way highway. This project has been going on for at least a quarter of a year now, and I do not understand what the hold up is. I want to find out why resurfacing two lanes of quite level interstate. The length of interstate being worked on is less than or very close to 5 miles. Can someone give me some ideas of where to look for information on how long a resurfacing project of this magnitude should take?
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### Author:  [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2000, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/2 "2000-10-27T23:34:24Z")
Look in the dictionary, under “infinity”.
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### Author:  [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2000, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/3 "2000-10-28T15:34:02Z")
The best way to find out about a road project, I’ve found is to get on the phone and ask the appropriate agency. If that doesn’t work, call your municipal or state representative. They have people in their offices who tend to know this stuff because constituents get pissed off by two things: 1) bad roads and 2) slow traffic because of road construction.
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### Author:  [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2000, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/4 "2000-10-28T15:37:03Z")
No BobT, what you need is a Cones Hotline…it really was fantastic. And no, I didn’t just invent it.
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### Author:  [@Bob\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Scene)
#### Post date: [October 29, 2000, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/5 "2000-10-29T02:34:02Z")
As a Highway Department employee (Shovel Leaner Third Class) I would strongly advise you to just call them up and ask them when they expect to finish. If it’s taking that long it’s probably either because they’re doing something more than resurfacing, because they’ve had bad weather, or because the private contractor doing the work is being incompetent.
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### Author:  [@system\_hoser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system_hoser)
#### Post date: [October 29, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/6 "2000-10-29T02:41:56Z")
Thank you Bob. I have a feeling it is the last option you mentioned. But then, I bet I am wrong about the resurfacing. They have actually removed some of the previously existing roadwork in places to completely redo what was there. Not for the entire 3-5 mile stretch, but just a couple of sections totalling about 500 yards. I am pretty sure the rest of it was just resurfaced.
How can a person who knows nothing about these things find out if the contractor is doing an incompetent job? I’m not the only person wondering what is taking so long. If I ask the DOT I am sure they will tell me everything is right on schedule, that has been their line in every news release and interview.
I probably need to just shut up and wait for it to be finished.
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### Author:  [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)
#### Post date: [October 29, 2000, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/7 "2000-10-29T14:44:54Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by android209 \*
> \*\*No BobT, what you need is a Cones Hotline…it really was fantastic. And no, I didn’t just invent it. \*\*
You know, **android** , John Major listed the Cones Hotline as one of the great achievements of his government, on the radio the other day. And he wasn’t kidding, because, as we all know, Major is incapable of making a joke.
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### Author:  [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)
#### Post date: [October 29, 2000, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-at-work/38668/8 "2000-10-29T15:04:35Z")
There was a road sign I noticed in Burlington Ia ,one of the crosstowns , that said ROAD CLOSED.Some spraypaint artist wrote under it “forever”.
There is a section of US 34 in Henry county Ia that has road repair signs on it constantly. Several times I have driven it where the only sign of repair work was a DOT pickup parked in a field drive and two guys leaning on the hood talking.
I believe the most popular sign says “Road repair next 5 miles.”