Caltrans District 5 will hold its 35th annual Worker Memorial Ceremony, 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 30 on the front lawn of the District Office, 50 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

“This annual ceremony is especially significant following the loss last year of Alexander Rodish, a Caltrans maintenance employee for Caltrans District 12 in Orange County, who was struck by a vehicle while working,”  said Caltrans District 5 Director Scott Eades.

“This is a somber reminder of the dangers our workers face while maintaining and improving our roadways,” Eades said. “Despite these most unfortunate events, our employees remain committed to maintaining an efficient state highway system for the people of California.”

“We take this time to honor their memory and remind the public to drive carefully when traveling through our work zones,” Eades said.

Keynote speaker at the ceremony will be Marjie Kirn, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) executive director.

The program will include Eades; Aaron Henkel, Caltrans District 5 deputy director; and California Highway Patrol Cmdr. L.D. Maples.
 
Since 1921, 194 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job, including eight in District 5.

One of the biggest hazards for workers is motorists who do not exercise caution while driving through highway work zones. Caltrans reminds everyone to “Be Work Zone Alert!”

For more, visit the Caltrans Worker Memorial and Worker Safety web page.