This year, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is April 15-19. This year’s theme is “Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.”
NWZAW 2024 is hosted by Maryland Department of Transportation. NWZAW highlights the deadly dangers of inattention at highway work areas.
The 2024 week long commemoration includes:
- Work Zone Safety Training Day – April 15
- National kickoff event – April 16
- Go Orange Day – April 17
- Social media storm – April 18
- Moment of Silence – April 19. The moment of silence was started in 2022 to remember the men and women whose lives were lost in a work zone incident.
In honor of NWZAW, the district asks that drivers please SLOW DOWN near work zones. When you see a district utility vehicle surrounded by orange cones on a busy street, please remember that district operators are working just inside those cones. Driving too fast and too close to the work zone could cost them their life.
District operators must perform maintenance to sewer and water infrastructure which is primarily located in the street. They are required to work near busy intersections such as W. Bowles Avenue and S. Wadsworth Boulevard. Working on busy, higher speed streets is extremely hazardous and there is little to no protection for our operators. When you see orange cones, please SLOW DOWN!
Performing maintenance to district infrastructure ensures that district customers receive the most reliable, highest-quality distribution of drinking water and efficient, cost-effective wastewater collection service as possible while preserving public health and protecting the environment. Please return the favor and slow down for them.
The district appreciates its customers and their understanding when unforeseen circumstances or emergency situations occur such as a water main break. We appreciate even more the respect and safety of our field staff. Thank you!