National Work Zone Awareness Week Recap

National Work Zone Awareness Week may be in our rear view mirror. But work zone awareness should always be on our minds. 

Here are some highlights from last week:

The National Work Zone Awareness news conference took place in Topeka on April 6. State Transportation Engineer Catherine Patrick and KDOT employees Galen Ludlow and Troy Whitworth all shared their work zone experiences.  Superintendent Col. Mark Bruce, from the Kansas Highway Patrol, and Rick Backlund, Federal Highway Administration Division Director, joined them and shared their own stories. Numerous partners also participated in a vehicle display at the event.

Several work zone vehicles were on display at the April 6 press conference. 

This event was just one of several activities in Kansas. Buildings and structures across Kansas lit up orange last week to highlight work zone safety. Those locations were the Governor’s Mansion, the Amelia Earhart Bridge in Atchison, the Visitor’s Center in the Capitol, the Eisenhower State Office Building in Topeka, the 87^th Street bridges over I-35 in Lenexa, the front of the Topeka City Hall and KDOT offices in Topeka, Salina, Norton, Chanute, Hutchinson and Garden City.

Electronic Message boards along the highways had rotating work zone safety messages.

Our blog series was awesome. We had five people share stories throughout the week and they all showed why work zone safety is so important. 

And a children's activity page was also created to teach kids the importance of work zone safety. Find it here.

Last Thursday was also the day that KDOT encouraged everyone across the state to wear orange in support of our highway workers. Here are a few of our favorite photos:

Emporia Subarea Crew celebrates NWZAW in front of their sign.

Troy Whitworth addresses the news conference crowd on Thursday.

The Governor's Mansion was lit up orange in support of Kansas highway workers. 

Even some orange wildlife decided to fly in and learn about work zone safety. 

Various safety messages were shared throughout the week to encourage drivers to pay attention to the task at hand: Driving. 

And for everyone who works along our highways and roads, we can't say it enough - your work is greatly appreciated and needed.