Memorial Friday for DOT workers killed in work zones

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published April 24, 2008

Memorial honors fallen workers

56 transportation workers have died in work zones since 1950

WHEN: The Washington State Department of Transportation will be honor roadway workers at 8:30 a.m. Friday. WHAT: The WSDOT campus flag will be lowered to half-staff by family and roadway workers. A program and video tribute to fallen workers will be shown, along with an arrangement of 56 cones at the WSDOT lobby representing those who have died.

WHO: Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond, Justin Thayer and Phil Bogardus from Granite Construction, families of fallen workers and WSDOT workers.

WHERE: WSDOT Headquarters, 310 Maple Park Ave. S.E., Olympia, at the Flag Plaza facing Capitol Way, with the program and reception following in the 1st Floor Plaza of the WSDOT building.

WHY: April is National Work Zone Awareness Month. Since 1950, WSDOT has lost 56 workers in work-zone related fatalities. Fifty-two of the deaths occurred between 2000 and 2007. During that time, there also have been 5,411 injuries and 593 accidents involving alcohol in work zones.