Kansas will “Go Orange” this week as buildings, bridges and fountains will be lit in orange and people will wear orange to help raise awareness of work zone safety.
Governor Laura Kelly has officially proclaimed April 21 to 25 as National Work Zone Awareness Week in Kansas. The proclamation reminds motorists to slow down, stay alert, minimize distractions and be patient in roadway work zones – it can mean the difference between life and death.
People are encouraged to wear something orange all week, but especially on Go Orange Day in Kansas on Wednesday, April 23, to show support and appreciation for highway workers and their efforts.
Past stories written by highway workers’ close calls or getting hit in work zones are being featured again. And a story by Shirley McDonald, who lost her son in a work zone crash will also be included. The series began Friday, April 18, and continues each day this week at kansastransportation.blogspot.com.
Numerous KDOT buildings and other locations across the state are lit in orange during National Work Zone Awareness Week including:
- Governor’s Mansion in Topeka
- Visitors Center in the Capitol
- Front of the Topeka City Hall building
- Front of the Wichita City Hall building
- Evergy Plaza in Topeka
- Downtown Kansas Avenue lights in Topeka
- Bridges at U.S. 54/Webb Road junction and U.S. 54/Greenwich Road in Wichita
- Bridge at I-35/119th Street in Olathe
- Travel Information Center on I-70 near Goodland
- Kansas Turnpike Authority buildings in Topeka and Wichita
Message signs across the state will also promote work zone safety.
The Go Orange effort is part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, a national safety campaign that KDOT and numerous partner organizations participate in every year. The campaign highlights the dangers faced by highway workers and motorists in work zones and encourages motorists to use safer driving behaviors.