MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - For the fourth year in a row, the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Clare Welcome Center will host the National Work Zone Memorial over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. This special memorial honors the lives of more than 1,600 road workers, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement officers, public safety officials and children who have been killed in work zone crashes throughout the United States.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of slowing down, avoiding distractions and paying careful attention to the road in work zones,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “Crews in these zones are working hard to get these important jobs done and want to make it home safely each day to be with their families. Let’s not add another name to the memorial because of another tragedy in a work zone.”
Nearly 2.6 million Michiganders are expected to travel during the Fourth of July week, continuing a busy summer travel season. As summer travel picks up, drivers will see more road work and orange barrels across Michigan. After years of underinvestment, long-needed improvements to roads and bridges are finally happening. MDOT urges motorists to stay alert, slow down and drive safely, especially near work zones.
Work zone safety remains a top priority for MDOT for workers, drivers and their passengers, and all road users. In 2024, Michigan saw 16 work zone fatalities, 1,065 injuries, and nearly 6,100 crashes. Nationally, an estimated 890 people were killed in work zones.
Unveiled in 2002 by the American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation, the National Work Zone Memorial is a living tribute to the memory of the lives lost in work zones. As the memorial travels throughout the United States, it raises awareness for work zone safety and safe driving practices by displaying the names of those killed in work zone crashes. The memorial is 20 feet wide and stands 7 feet tall and is available to anyone interested in increasing work zone safety awareness. A new virtual memorial is also available to use at no cost.
Costs for hosting the memorial June 25-July 6 at the Clare Welcome Center are sponsored by MDI Worldwide.
