Governor Ned Lamont, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation urged drivers on April 21 to prioritize safety in roadway work zones as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs from April 20 to 24. The event took place at the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) maintenance garage in Farmington and included remarks from state and federal officials, labor leaders, and safety advocates.
National Work Zone Awareness Week aims to honor workers who keep construction zones safe—such as highway crews, public works employees, utility companies, contractors, and law enforcement—and reminds drivers that their actions can save lives. CTDOT’s theme for this year is “Safe Actions, Save Lives.” Governor Lamont signed a proclamation recognizing the week in Connecticut.
“Every decision we make behind the wheel matters,” Governor Lamont said. “In work zones, a moment of distraction can have serious consequences. By slowing down, staying alert, and respecting roadway workers, we can help ensure everyone gets home safely.”
Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster said: “Safety is the number one priority of the Trump Administration and all road users need to do their part to help reduce the number of fatalities that occur in work zones. Under U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s leadership, we are calling on drivers to put down the phone, avoid distractions, obey posted speed limits, and focus on driving safely while traveling through active work zones. The lives of every highway worker depend on taking safe actions.”
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited at the event’s announcement between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2023 there were 2,651 crashes with 12 fatalities in Connecticut work zones; nationally there were 898 work zone fatalities in just one year.
Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said: “Safe actions behind the wheel save lives. Work zones are active unpredictable environments and our crews depend on drivers to slow down stay focused and follow the signs.” According to the official website, Eucalitto oversees policies for CTDOT including its safety initiatives.
Colonel Daniel Loughman of Connecticut State Police also spoke about challenges faced by highway workers: “Completing work on the highway is a challenge when vehicles are driving by at high speeds… At the end of their shifts they want to return home.”
CTDOT encouraged public participation through Go Orange Day (April 22), inviting people to wear orange for awareness using hashtags #NWZAW #ObeyTheOrange #Orange4Safety; a moment of silence was planned for April 24 at noon honoring those lost in work zone crashes.
According to the official website, CTDOT promotes safety through such initiatives statewide from its headquarters in Newington while providing an intermodal transportation network supporting economic vitality throughout Connecticut. The department supports community connectivity via grants programs engaging contractors consultants public works departments utility companies private contractors industry professionals law enforcement officers—all contributing toward safer roads.
