Transportation Agency Says Traffic Delays Storm Repairs

(Host) A week after Tropical Storm Irene struck Vermont, transportation officials are urging people to stay away from damaged areas.

VPR's Kirk Carapezza reports.

(Carapezza) Travel Secretary Brian Searles says the state's road crews are working quickly to repair the damage left by Irene.

But the last thing they need are people getting in the way of recovery efforts.

(Searles) "As we open up more and more of the system, people were able to get closer to the more difficult construction sites."

(Carapezza) Searles says the state lost time over the weekend because of delays caused by out-of-state travelers.

(Searles) "Which we don't want to discourage, but people are going to be very disappointed if they're delayed on their trip and more importantly people won't be able to get their jobs done if they're dealing with traffic."

(Carapezza) Searles says the public should expect long delays to get through construction zones.

For VPR News, I'm Kirk Carapezza.