The sun is shining — when it’s not hiding behind the dust of Canadian wildfires — which signals the season of outdoor festivals, ice cream cones and, of course, road work.

Amid what the National Weather Service is calling a moderate drought, “road work ahead” signs are popping up faster than dandelions in our burnt-out backyards.

When encountering these orange diamond-shaped signs, it’s important that drivers take extra caution. We should always be alert while driving, but these signs tell us that there are likely people ahead on the road or alongside the road.

Just last week, these signs were scattered across Butler’s Main Street as the light signals along that portion of Route 8 were readied for their debut.

It seems almost daily, we’re reporting the latest alert from the state Department of Transportation about an upcoming road closure or road work.

In Sunday’s paper, it was the Herman Road, between the intersections of Brinker Road and Simon Drive, in Summit Township, will be closed June 27 as maintenance crews replace a large cross pipe.

From Monday, June 12, through Friday, June 16, a portion of Rowan Road, between the intersections of Peters and Franklin roads, in Cranberry Township, will be closed for a similar installation.

In other scenarios, you’ll see tree trimming or paving. It is the time of year that this type of maintenance and repairs can be done.

We can assure you it’s better to be late than to rush through these areas.

According to the National Safety Council, 954 people were killed and 42,151 people were injured in work zone crashes in 2021. Of the fatal crashes, 468 happened in construction zones, 66 happened in maintenance zones, 17 happened in utility zones and another 403 happened in an unknown type of work zone.

Per the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, there was a decrease in fatal work zone crashes that involved speeding between 2020 and 2021. We want to see those numbers continually decline.

When out on the roads this summer, remember to heed those orange signs, to slow down in work zones and take extra caution.

— TL