The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority are reminding drivers to do their part to Make it Home Safe; Make Oklahoma Safe, through the annual work zone awareness week April 15-19, 2024. Drivers can follow a few simple rules of the road such as buckling up, putting away distractions and slowing down inside work zones to help get not only highway workers but all Oklahomans home safe each day.
As we move through spring and summer, drivers should expect to see more work zones statewide. In fact, there will be more than 145 work zones in Oklahoma this summer driving season. These range from short-term maintenance projects with minimal impact to traffic to major interstate and turnpike reconstruction, which can affect more than 100,000 vehicles per day.
“We are always working to improve our highway network across the state and spring and summer are the peak road work time,” said ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz. “Slowing down, putting away distractions and buckling up can make all the difference in the world when traveling through a work zone.”
Hundreds of collisions occur in work zones annually, and many of these fatalities and injuries are caused by inattentive driving, following too closely and speeding in construction zones. In its history, 72 ODOT and OTA employees have been killed in the line of duty, more than any other state agencies except the military.
“Those crossing Oklahoma on I-44 this summer should plan ahead for significant work zones, especially on the I-44/Turner Turnpike where we are continuing to widen the corridor between Tulsa and Oklahoma City to six lanes,” said OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle. “We need the help of the traveling public to make sure all work zones stay safe for both drivers and the workers.”
This year, ODOT, OTA and their partners are recognizing the importance of work zone awareness with several events and activities including:
- Gov. Kevin Stitt proclaimed April 15-19 as Oklahoma Work Zone Awareness Week in coordination with the National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.
- A new work zone safety Public Service Announcement for television, radio and social media which can be viewed here.
- April 12: OKC Thunder Work Zone Safe Night vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- April 15 – 19: The Oklahoma Bank in Tulsa will light up orange in solidarity for work zone awareness week
- April 16: Both the Skydance Bridge over I-40 and the Crystal Bridge at the Myriad Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City will light up orange in remembrance of fallen workers.
- April 17: Go Orange for Work Zone Safety Day. Wear your favorite orange shirt, tie or your safety vest for a selfie and tag @OKDOT or @OKTurnpike or email them to SCinbox@odot.org for posting to social media.
- April 17: Moment of Silence to remember ODOT and OTA fallen workers during the opening of the second annual Safe Oklahoma Summit.
- April 19: ODOT crews will join Oklahoma Work Zone Safe and Oklahoma Challenge for a student safety day in Altus to share the importance of work zone safety with teen drivers.
The best way to prepare for work zones is to plan ahead by using the free Drive Oklahoma mobile app, checking traffic advisories or a map of current work zones at www.odot.org or viewing current traffic conditions at www.oktraffic.org. Another way to be aware of work zones is to check online at www.odot.org and click ODOT Project Status, which is a new map detailing highway project information. OTA projects are listed at www.accessoklahoma.com
To learn more about work zone safety and all things ODOT and OTA, click here.
