(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – All travelers play a role in Work Zone Safety this construction season. The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is joining DOTs from across the nation to recognize National Work Zone Awareness Week April 17-21, 2023.

According to the most recent data from workzonesafety.org, 857 people were killed in 774 fatal work zone crashes. One hundred and seventeen of those fatalities were work zone workers. It’s imperative for drivers to moderate their speed, stay focused, watch for construction signs, and pay attention to flaggers. Workers are encouraged to follow important safety guidelines that help prevent worker injury and death. Both drivers and workers can prevent tragedies by minimizing distractions in work zones.

Alaska DOT&PF will be participating in the Go Orange Day on Wednesday, April 19. Wearing orange shows support for the men and women in your communities who work in roadway construction zones. The public is encouraged to participate in Go Orange Day and send in photos of themselves, friends, family or coworkers, wearing safety gear to dot.ask@alaska.gov for use in DOT&PF's social media.

Roadway construction zones present a challenge to drivers as conditions differ from normal roadway environments. Rear-end collisions are the most common work zone crashes, primarily affecting drivers and their passengers. Construction worker injuries and fatalities are more likely to result from unexpected contact with heavy equipment, vehicles, and objects in the work zone. Alaska experiences an average of over 120 work zone crashes every year. An automobile crash can cost an Alaskan driver thousands of dollars in repairs, lost income, and medical bills.

Being prepared for construction season can help. The public is encouraged to stay up-to-date on construction traffic impacts and delays by checking 511.alaska.gov. To watch a short video on work zone awareness check here.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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