Work Zone Safety Observances In-Force Throughout the Country
(April 3, 2017) – National partners from the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Labor will join Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn and State Highway Administrator Gregory Slater to launch Work Zone Awareness Week, an observance recognized by states across the country. Join us behind the scenes in a major interchange construction project, where reporters have the opportunity to walk in the shoes of highway workers and witness the dangers they face daily.
The American Traffic Safety Services Association will bring a mobile National Work Zone Awareness Memorial, which lists the names of workers, motorists and law enforcement officers lost in work zones crashes. Interview workers, safety advocates, as well as representatives from industry, law enforcement and trade associations
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Montgomery County: Georgia Avenue/Randolph Road interchange project
(GPS Purposes): 12313 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906
WHO:
Pete K. Rahn, Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Gregory Slater, Administrator, MDOT’s State Highway Administration (SHA)
Martin Knopp, Associate Administrator for Operations, Federal Highway Administration
Jack Van Steenburg, Assistant Administrator and Chief Safety Officer, Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration
Elizabeth Baker Ph.D., Regional Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Richard Mendelson, Regional Administrator, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Laurie Moser, Victim Advocate
WHY:
Work zone-related crashes have continued to rise and place drivers and highway workers at risk. Nationally, more than 700 people are killed each year in work zone crashes. During 2015 in Maryland, six people were killed in work zone-related crashes, including workers, drivers and passengers.
VISUALS:
Active construction zone and work zone memorial wall with names of victims.
PARKING:
Access through McDonalds parking lot 12313 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Follow the construction barrels along northbound Georgia Avenue, bear right after turning into McDonalds, parking on your right past the SHA truck. (McDonalds can be accessed only from northbound Georgia Avenue or from Randolph Road via Shopping Center Drive.) Look for yellow SHA truck to access parking.
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
Rain or Shine – Event will be under tent in the case of inclement weather.
This press briefing offers visuals within an active construction site. There will also be opportunities to interview transportation, highway safety and other officials.
Please wear appropriate orange clothing, and flat, closed toe, hard-soled shoes. SHA will loan hard hats and vests.