UDOT

Footage sheds new light during National Work Zone Awareness Week

Today the Utah Department of Transportation released new video to give the public a first-person view of what it’s like building and maintaining Utah’s roads.

The effort is part of national Work Zone Awareness Week, which encourages the public to help keep road construction crews safe.

UDOT crews dedicate themselves every day, often in challenging conditions, working to build and improve Utah’s infrastructure. Construction is happening all over the state, with 152 new and 145 ongoing projects this year.

Dani Marble, a transportation tech from the UDOT Logan shed, said vehicles traveling at high speeds often create unsafe working conditions for UDOT crews.

“A lot of high speed cars come past and almost hit you. You’ll see a few cars get over but typically they don’t slow down. They just blow right by you, and it’s just another day for them,” Marble said. “If you see road work signs and flashing lights, slow down and move over. We’re just trying to do our job.”

UDOT recommends drivers follow these tips to keep everyone safe in work zones:

• Expect the unexpected: watch for changing traffic patterns
• Slow down: lay off the pedal, as the speed limit in work zones is reduced 
• Move over: give crews room to safely do their work
• Leave space: keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers
• Stay the course: avoid unnecessary lane changes, don’t pass on the shoulder or drive across the median
• Minimize distractions: dedicate your full attention to the road

“It’s that time of year with construction heating up, and we’re just trying to do our job safely and make things better for you,” Marble said. “Just slow down, look out for us and try and help us stay safe.”

“We all have families we need to get home to at the end of the day,” said Ryan Knighton, a contractor for Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction who works as a safety manager on UDOT’s 1800 N interchange project in Sunset. “With traffic coming up and down the highway at 75 mph, it can be very dangerous. Please, stay off your phones and pay attention.”

For the latest information on UDOT construction, visit the UDOT Traffic website or download the UDOT Traffic app for iPhone or Android. Drivers can also follow UDOT on social media including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.