flagmen

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More PolitickerMA.com coverage: Patrick administration rolls out civilian flagmen regulations

BOSTON -- Seeking to tackle an issue that he previously backed away from, Gov. Deval Patrick's administration rolled out regulations Wednesday that would replace police details with civilian flagmen at some construction sites throughout the state in an effort to save money.

Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Milton)How much money the state stands to make from the regulations, however, remains unclear.

The regulations, which are intended to be implemented in November, seek to place civilian flagmen at state-controlled construction sites at roadways that have a speed limit that is less than 45 miles per hour. At construction sites where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or greater or if the state does not control the detail contracts, police details would still be used.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen said the regulations "strike a careful balance between preserving public safety and highlighting the administration's commitment to savings and reforms that will allow for long term investments in our transportation infrastructure."