CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: April 15, 2013

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

APRIL 15-19, 2013 IS WORK ZONE SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK IN CONNECTICUT

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND WEAR ORANGE

Connecticut Work Zone Safety Press Conference

April 16, 2013

10:00 a.m.

Department of Transportation

Conference Room A&B

2800 Berlin Turnpike

Newington, CT 06131

Governor Dannel P. Malloy has proclaimed April 15-19, 2013, Work Zone Safety Awareness Week in Connecticut. “In work zones are a place where men and women share their workspace with cars, trucks, buses, and even trains and planes.  The key is to identify the State's safety needs and implement changes to achieve reductions in highway fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads,” the Governor said.  “The number of injury crashes in work zones has dropped 50 percent from 341 in 2001 to 170 in 2011 and is a testament to the efforts of our work zone safety partners at the national, state and local levels.”

Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman is the invited guest speaker and Commissioner James Redeker will be hosting the event.  The press event includes the presentation of awards to the winners of the third annual Connecticut Roadway Poster Contest for Children in Grades K – 6.  The contest is sponsored by the Connecticut Technology Transfer Center (T2 Center) at UConn, along with the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office, Work Zone Safety Awareness Working Group and the CT Police Chiefs Association.  The students being presented awards come from Bethel, Simsbury, South Windsor, and Tolland. 

The event will also be attended by highway construction and maintenance workers, private contractors, public utility companies, construction industry associations, and state and local police to help increase the awareness and importance of safe driving by the motoring public.   “Wally,” the State’s recently named work zone safety mascot will be in attendance to congratulate the poster contest winners and show his support for our highway workers.   

Connecticut, like other states and organizations, promotes work zone awareness not only during National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week but all year long. This year’s national theme is “We’re All In This Together.”  In Connecticut, all road users are asked to “Obey the Orange.”  The black and orange signs not only give motorists warning of work ahead, but also provide directions and road conditions.  Please pay attention to the road signs and slow down.