Dateline: May 6, 2004

TxDOT taking measures to reduce operating cost

CHILDRESS – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has implemented a plan to assist the State of Texas in reducing operating cost.

Starting April 26, 2004, TxDOT’s Childress District Maintenance Section will begin working 4-10 hour days.

“The longer daylight periods through the spring and summer months will allow for earlier start times and a longer work day,” said Terry Keener, Childress District Engineer.

All maintenance and maintenance support offices will work 4-10 hour days with offices being closed one day a week.  Telephones will be forwarded to the District Office in Childress or the Maintenance Supervisor in your respective County.

This plan will allow the maintenance sections to spend more time on the job site and will save fuel cost by reducing trip time and traffic control set up time.  A further savings in energy will be realized by the offices being closed one day per week.

“TxDOT started this program a few years ago, and we saw a significant increase in work efficiency and a reduction in operating cost,” said Keener. 

“Each office has been instructed to adjust their thermostats to coincide with the office being closed, and emergencies will be responded to promptly.  We expect the public will continue to experience a high level of customer satisfaction.”

The maintenance offices in Childress, Wheeler, Donley, Motley, and Knox Counties will be closed each Monday.  Collingsworth, Briscoe, Hall, Hardeman, Cottle, Foard, Dickens, and King will be closed each Friday.

Anyone with questions about this or any other TxDOT issue may contact Barbara Seal, Public Information Officer at 940-937-7145.