2013 National Work Zone Week Announced – 2014 Location to be Selected

This year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is scheduled for April 15-19, 2013. The week is used as an opportunity to get media coverage to raise public awareness about the dangers for highway construction workers and motorists when road improvements are under way. While the number of fatalities, crashes and injuries have decreased in the past several years the problem still remains. NWZAW was conceptualized in 1999 as a way to recognize and focus on roadway work zone safety every April. A national event is scheduled to get the most media coverage possible which alternates between the Washington , D.C. area and a host state. This year’s event will be in the Washington, D.C. area. Many AGC chapters cooperate with their state DOTs in promoting Work Zone safety and also planning local and state media events. AGC of America serves on the Executive Committee planning the National event. The 2014 NMZAW event is also now being planned. The NWZAW Executive Committee is soliciting applications from states to host the National event. The selection of host state is based on the state's accomplishments in work zone safety practices and campaigns, as well as the proposed event site and logistics. The proposed location for the kick-off media event must be near or in an active roadway work zone. The Federal Highway Administration will help to finance the event up to $10,000 for things such as tents, a sound system, chair rentals, etc. The host state receives a trophy to display in its state DOT headquarters for the year. Application forms must be returned to the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) no later than Friday, Feb. 15. The application can be found here. The NWZAW Executive Committee is expected to announce the host state during the April 2013 kick-off event in Washington, D.C.