Work zone billboards raise awareness across the state

Billboard design featuring Garden City crew members. 

The Kansas Contractors Association and KDOT have teamed up with several digital billboard companies across Kansas to promote work zone safety as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week. Lisa Knoll, KDOT’s Public Affairs Manager in southwest Kansas, said that the billboards were the idea of Frankie Burns, the Subarea Supervisor in Ulysses.

 “Frankie’s crew took a break for a crew picture for KDOT’s #MoveOverKS safety campaign,” Knoll said.  “He suggested we get that crew picture on the digital billboards in Garden City to help drivers understand that our crews are their friends, family and neighbors, and they have loved ones that want them to come home safely every night.”

Knoll said that they reached out to Mr. Media, who owns the boards in Garden City, and found that the company was willing to donate the space for a few weeks this month.

“We contacted the owners of the billboards in Liberal and Dodge City, who were willing to help, and the project just grew from there,” Knoll said.

Billboard design featuring crew members from Dodge City.

In a short time, the project developed enough that the KCA, a professional association of heavy, highway and utility contractors, stepped up to assist with coordinating the billboard donations. 

“Safety is one of the most important aspects of our trade,” said Michael White, Executive Director of the KCA.  “For highway contractors and anyone else working close to busy roadways, safety is always the number one priority for the workers who are focused on doing their jobs and for those driving through work zones. The KCA is pleased to promote safety whenever possible to help ensure highway workers remain safe in work zones and the traveling public can get to where they are going safely.”

At least 10 different digital billboard companies have agreed to run the work zone awareness graphics, which will feature KDOT crews on billboards as space is available in 14 Kansas counties from April 1 – 15. 

Billboard design featuring crew members from Wichita.

Brian Baker, a spokesman for Advertising Images which manages several digital billboards in Sedgwick County, said that they are happy to donate some of their billboards for the cause.

“Advertising Images is proud to support the safety of hardworking men and women improving the roads for KDOT and Kansas drivers and we are happy to be a part of this campaign,” Baker said.

National Work Zone Awareness Week begins next Monday, April 9. You can show your support for highway workers by wearing orange on April 9, which is Go Orange Day in Kansas. Remember to always slow down in work zones and pay attention.

Be on the lookout for these billboards across the state! Let us know if you see them!