WSDOT remembers fallen workers during National Work Zone Awareness Week

UNION GAP, Wash — The Washington State Department of Transportation honored 61 fallen workers Tuesday at a ceremony for National Work Zone Awareness Week.

According to WSDOT, there were 1,228 work zone crashes across the state last year, including 37 in Yakima County and 24 in Kittitas County.

“It's unfortunately something you see quite a bit when you're out here working on the road as much as our crews are," WSDOT Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Nicholson said. "It's sadly not if it's going to happen; it's when.”

Additionally, the number of fatal work zone crashes doubled from five in 2022 to 10 in 2023. Nicholson said it's something he's always concerned about because the crews are like a second family.

"Especially as a supervisor, you're the one sending your crews out to do this work," Nicholson said. "The potential's there every day: that could be the last time you talk to one of your crew members.”

WSDOT spokesperson Summer Derrey said with the number of road projects planned for the South Central region — including in Yakima County — it's especially important for drivers to pay extra attention in work zones.

Derry said upcoming projects include bridge resurfacing on US 12 , r eplacing the Vantage Bridge deck on I-90, retrofitting the Mabton bridges on SR 241 and replacing a damaged irrigation culvert under I-82 near Wapato.

“There's a lot of important work we have to get done during the summer," Derrey said. "So if you see signs that say slow down, please slow down.”

​COPYRIGHT 2024 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.