Enter the flagman

It was quite a bit before 0800 when we heard the roar of heavy earthmoving equipment. Admittedly, I had been hoping for a bit more peace and quiet this morning but it wasn’t raining. EBMUD (East Bay Municipal Utility District – great acronym or what?) was back on the job. George kindly and quickly headed out to move the car out of the driveway lest we be blocked in (again).

A short while later I hiked down the hill to the car which was barely legal on the downhill side of Euclid. As I passed him, I asked the man with the stop sign when they were going to be done.

Sorry, he said, it is completely dependent on the rain. We are seriously behind schedule both here and some other locations because of the weather.

I then asked if he did other jobs as well.

No – I just passed my Flagman’s Exam.

Huh? Flagman’s Exam – really there is such a thing. Stop, go, radio to the other end?

Yes, he said. That part takes almost nothing, but it is a full week of training most of it on safety for the whole site.

Oh – like those “car wreck movies” or “scared straight” things they used to show in school?

Exactly.

and here I was thinking they just handed someone the sign …… Meanwhile, there is still a small backhoe parked next to our garage. The fire hydrant replacement (next to our stairs) isn’t complete and there are a few rough patches of road….

Comments

Enter the flagman — 8 Comments

Cat on 2017-02-17 at 00:48 said:

Sounds like fun – not. They are laying a gas main AND putting in an emergency lane on the main cross road into our local shopping centre. Yesterday they wanted me to “go round the block” which made no sense at all. I looked at the man with the stop sign and shook my head and said, “I am going through the railway station instead.” He looked a bit startled and then said, “I suppose all the bikes and pedestrians could do that.” Well yes, they could – and it doesn’t mean a two km or more hike.

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- Holly Doyne on 2017-02-17 at 07:57 said:
  
  I assume you were on your trike and it was obvious that going an extra km or two was not in your best interest?
  
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Vicki on 2017-02-17 at 08:01 said:

Ugh, what a pain, but as in all things – this too will pass, just a pain to get to the end.

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- Holly on 2017-02-17 at 08:02 said:
  
  well, I am hoping it is all done by the time I get back!
  
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Bill R on 2017-02-17 at 08:04 said:

I feel your pain. Many moons ago, we opened a family upscale restaurant in Santa Ana Cal. In the first three years the utility companies dug up the street in front of our business annually, making it very difficult to access. Once for larger sewer, once for extra phone lines once for larger water etc. etc.etc.
So finally I went to the City and pleaded for them to just dig one trench large enough for all the expected utilities. .Can’t remember if they did or not. So my point is nothing has changed much..
Oh that reminds me of the time I happened by a corner lot of mine and saw it full of construction equipment. The contractor was put out that I objected to his flagrant disregard for private property. Sooo good luck with these guys..

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- Holly on 2017-02-17 at 08:06 said:
  
  No – they can only be held liable for what they do in the trench. Not what someone else does. So if one group digs it out and someone else does something stupid you would be in court for years sorting it out. Meanwhile – no cable, electricity, water, sewer or whatever.
  
  They actually asked us if it was ok. It is not like we need to access that particular bit of garage. It is packed sold inside with the kids stuff on that end.
  
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Ann on 2017-02-17 at 08:07 said:

Loved this column. I call your emails columns.

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- Holly on 2017-02-17 at 08:07 said:
  
  thanks Ann. Delivered sort of daily …..
  
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Holly Doyne

words, wool, and travel

Comments

Enter the flagman — 8 Comments

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