Twin Falls police have stepped up their patrols in residential areas near Washington Street North, responding to complaints that drivers avoiding construction aren’t traveling safely down the quieter roads.

Traffic officers will start stopping by Blake Street, Ostrander Street and the western part of the presidential streets on a daily basis to ensure drivers are following speed limits, watching for pedestrians and otherwise behaving themselves, Staff Sgt. Dennis Pullin said Thursday.

The extra emphasis started on Wednesday, Pullin said, and officers did make several stops for stop-sign and speeding violations, though they didn’t issue many citations.

Washington Street from roughly Shoup to Dubois avenues is currently being rebuilt and widened. Construction started in February and is expected to wrap up around June 14.

Police have received several complaints as drivers adjusted to the extensive project. Pullin said the issue is similar to what the city saw last year when Blue Lakes Boulevard was reconstructed.

“It’s amazing the routes the general public will find,” he said.

Those routes will change over time as the Washington construction shifts north — a second, more extensive phase will widen all the way to Pole Line Road later this year. So for now, police will keep an extra eye on nearby streets and ask drivers to remember they aren’t on a main drag anymore.

Children are more used to playing outside in residential areas, he said, and the speed limit on non-posted streets is always 25 mph. In some cases, such as narrow roads, drivers should go even slower to avoid hitting other cars or people.

“Some presidential streets are so narrow that 25 is too fast,” Pullin said.

Police are also asking drivers to plan ahead for the construction and not lose patience if they’re somewhat delayed.

“That’s when we start having more serious issues with their driving habits,” Pullin said.

While they’re at it, drivers should also take care while traveling through the construction site itself. No construction workers have reported any close brushes with cars yet, but given the tight working space it can be a concern, said City Engineer Jackie Fields.

“A little driver attention to their safety is much appreciated,” she said.

Construction is moving along smoothly and on schedule, Fields said, and traffic is expected to fully shift to Washington’s two eastern lanes within a week or two.

Pullin wasn’t sure how long police will need to make their extra visits. But he said he’s told his officers to plan on the trips until the problem lessens some.

“We don’t need to spend 24 hours a day there, but we’re going to hit that every day and monitor it,” he said.