Does anybody ever write to their DOTs?

[NJ]

NYSDOT always reply back to me actually. I contacted them regarding metric and bilingual signs near Canada border as well as welcome signs and other things.

[vdeane]

I wrote to Region 4 a couple times when I was young.  I'm going to be sending something to Region 1 traffic next week based on my experiences walking on NY 7 near the SPUI... but does it really count since I work here?

NYSDOT is generally pretty good, though if something's political you might get a form letter.  I've actually handled a few requests before over the past couple years.  It probably depends on the mood of the person tasked with responding.

[hbelkins]

I've written to them many times and always get the same BS respond back that I must contact the local town first before making any changes.

We get a lot of inquiries about county or city road/street issues. People don't seem to realize that the state -- even the governor -- has no control over what a city or county government or street/road department does. Folks think that if they don't get the answer they're looking for from the mayor or county judge-executive, they can write the governor and he can force changes to be made.

[vdeane]

Meanwhile in Albany, residents are asking the Village of Menands to change a speed limit on a road that is owned by NYSDOT.

[1995hoo]

Following up on my earlier comment, earlier this week I tweeted VDOT about a paving job where globs of asphalt were left all over the road and turned it into a washboard. They shared it with the City of Alexandria, who told me today they've instructed the paving company to fix it.

[triplemultiplex]

I've contacted WisDOT for both personal and professional inquiries.  I was able to get some interchange layouts for mapping projects at a previous job.  And I was curious as to some renumberings upon the then future completion of the US 53 freeway in Eau Claire.

In my current job, I've showed off the company's collection vehicles to DOT personnel several times.  UDOT has a cool 3d model in their lobby of the I-70 bridges over Eagle Canyon, by the way.

[noelbotevera]

I really don't think they want 11 year olds contacting PennDOT. Unfortunately, I do not contact my DOT. I could try though.

[SignGeek101]

I really don't think they want 11 year olds contacting PennDOT. Unfortunately, I do not contact my DOT. I could try though.

I don't think you would have to leave your age. If you can point something helpful out... why not?

[machias]

I've written NYSDOT over the years for nearly two decades and they have always been pleasant and quite responsive. I sometimes think that Region 2 must hate me but they've always been polite. I usually contact them when I see something in the field that could compromise motorist safety. I've chatted in person with quite a few NYSDOT folks over the years and sometimes they don't know there's something wrong in the field when a contractor does a job and they appreciate the feedback. 

I've also participated in public meetings.

My suggestions and such have been well received and many have been implemented, for example "Albany Buffalo" appearing on interchange signs approaching the Thruway from I-81, 481 and 690 in the Syracuse area.

[D-Dey65]

Quite often, and about multiple issues. Both in New York and Florida, and I've even written to neighboring State DOTs.

[jakeroot]

I've gotten a response every time I've contacted WSDOT in the past. Usually I dig until I can find the email of the person in charge, and email them directly. I wrote to one of the signing engineers awhile back about Clearview, and he basically said they'd only use it if the FHWA implemented it into the manual (nice closure there, though I have seen Clearview in the wild in Washington).

I wrote to Pierce County once about installing post-mounted signals along a stretch of road rife with trucks (lots of red light jumps because people can't see the signals). One of the engineers actually called me back, basically saying that they recognized the issue I presented, and that they'd present the idea to one of their superiors. Haven't heard back since, but it's only been like 5 or 6 weeks. I wouldn't expect an official response for a while.

[vdeane]

I really don't think they want 11 year olds contacting PennDOT. Unfortunately, I do not contact my DOT. I could try though.

I was about that age when I first contacted NYSDOT.  Got to visit the regional office and a construction zone.

[Rothman]

I write to NYSDOT and other DOTs all the time in my job.

Actually, one fun one was when NCDOT posted a website for the detour around the landslide on...I-40, I think it was.  They said you could travel the over 100 miles in some absurdly short time.  Sent them a quick e-mail saying they were encouraging speeding.   The website was changed pretty quickly.

[SignBridge]

I started writing to NYS DOT (Region-10), NYSTA, and Nassau County DPW when I was 12 years old back in the 1960's and have continued to do so until the last few years. Sometimes I received intelligent replies and got good results. Other times they just blew me off.

And BTW noelbotevera, that first letter I wrote at age 12 got a good letter back and wording was added to an exit sign. If you write an intelligent business-like letter you will usually get a reasonable response.

I've not written to any of them the last few years 'cause I've gotten kind of burned out from pointing out to these people what should be obvious to professional engineers. So nowadays I just sit back and laugh at all the errors and omissions re: BGS's and traffic lights and wait to see how long it takes for them to figure it out themselves. (chuckle!)

[OracleUsr]

I wrote the SC DOT (yeah, I know I live in NC) and asked if they had any pictures of their old STOP AHEAD signs, but they had no idea what I was talking about. 

[Katavia]

Probably should contact NCDOT about widening NC 73 bridge along Coddle Creek Reservoir all the way to Meck county line

[US71]

I wrote the SC DOT (yeah, I know I live in NC) and asked if they had any pictures of their old STOP AHEAD signs, but they had no idea what I was talking about. 

AHTD has done that to me a couple times.

[brycecordry]

I have actually talked on the phone to the Assistant District Engineer for MoDOT about my ideas for the future of Missouri Roads. It was a good conversation and we exchanged a few ideas.

I also email DOTs about signage issues.

[NJ]

CADOT never replies back 

[noelbotevera]

CADOT never replies back 

Because it does not exist. Caltrans does.

[NJ]

CADOT never replies back 

Because it does not exist. Caltrans does.

That's what I meant, but what's the difference?

[odditude]

CADOT never replies back 

Because it does not exist. Caltrans does.

That's what I meant, but what's the difference?

if your missives demonstrate the same lack of attention to detail, that might be the reason you don't receive responses.

[J Route Z]

NJDOT doesn't answer much and their online maintenance form is not effective. I reported several things the last few months and little to no action has been taken. I reported street light outage at an intersection a month ago and they still did not fix it.

[Mr. Matté]

NJDOT doesn't answer much and their online maintenance form is not effective. I reported several things the last few months and little to no action has been taken. I reported street light outage at an intersection a month ago and they still did not fix it.

Write your state legislator(s) like I did one time.


Ironically, on the work-rather-than-roadgeeking side of getting in contact with them, I recently needed to write an email regarding jurisdiction maps to someone there whose address was in one obscure file per a Google search. I got a response the next day much to everyone in my department's surprise.

[sbeaver44]

Right before Christmas, I sent 3 letters to 3 separate PennDOT districts, inspired by this thread.

1) Noted the inaccuracy of US 322 mile markers in Dauphin County (response received, see below) along with US 22.  At I-81, US 22-322 begins at "mile 200.0" and has signs alternating US 22 W - 200.0, US 322 W - 199.9, US 22 W - 199.8.  (This has been discussed elsewhere on this board)

2) Noted the inaccuracy of US 30 mile markers -- York County has mile markers which seem correct -- Mile 252 is just before the Susquehanna River.  After the PA 10 junction, at the start of the Coatesville Bypass in Chester County, US 30 picks up at mile 269, which is off by approximately 20 miles.

3) Using NE2's find from an earlier post about US 422 being internally designated between Ebensburg and Hershey, asked what route US 422 would theoretically follow between the two.  I'm more curious what it does at the junction with I-81... assuming it follows US 322 and not US 22 between there and Colonial Park.

Response for #1 from PennDOT District 8:

"Dear [sbeaver44]:

This is in response to your recent letter, requesting information about reference location signs (formerly known as mile markers) on US 22 and US 322 in Dauphin County.

You are correct that the mileage is incorrect on these two routes.  Even though it does not compromise the main function of the signs which is to assist emergency responders in locating incidents, we will review the locations and make the necessary corrections when the signs are scheduled for replacement.

We appreciate your concerns for safety on our state roads..." etc.

We'll see what I get (if anything) for the other two.