For Immediate Release: 
Thursday, April 17, 2025

Contact: 
Julie Stevenson, Strategic Communications Coordinator, 605-773-2898

Media Event Scheduled in Sioux Falls for National Work Zone Awareness Week and 2025 Construction Season Kick-off

PIERRE, S.D. –  National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual awareness campaign held at the start of construction season to remind drivers to be attentive through work zones during the busy summer travel months. “Respect the zone so we all get home” is the official theme for NWZAW 2025, which will be observed nationwide the week of April 21-25, 2025.

“All drivers need to intentionally eliminate distractions and focus on the road when behind the wheel,” said Joel Jundt, Secretary, South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT). “Each of us must take personal responsibility to assure roadway workers, fellow drivers, and our own passengers arrive home safely each day.”

NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help all drivers understand their role in keeping fellow motorists and roadway workers safe.

“This is a concerted effort by many to raise public awareness,” said Craig Smith, SDDOT Director of Operations. “During NWZAW, our SDDOT team members partner with area contractors and local, state, and federal agencies to provide safety tips and to officially kick-off the 2025 construction season by highlighting key projects across South Dakota.”

Media Event:
Date:  Friday, April 25, 2025
Time:  10 a.m. (CT)
Location:  Sioux Falls Area Office, located at 5316 W. 60th St. N. in Sioux Falls 

Media are invited to join personnel from the South Dakota AGC, South Dakota Highway Patrol, SDDOT, and the contracting industry. At the press event, updates will be given on several major construction projects underway in the surrounding Sioux Falls metro area. SDDOT will also highlight available resources for drivers including featured project pages on the SDDOT website, SD511, and text-in options for various construction projects.

NWZAW Resources:
State departments of transportation, federal agencies, and other organizations participate each year in NWZAW to distribute public service announcements about work zone safety and host events to highlight the issue. To learn more about national efforts for NWZAW, visit https://www.nwzaw.org/.

As part of NWZAW, everyone is encouraged to participate in “Go Orange Day” on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Demonstrate support for highway construction employees across South Dakota by wearing orange apparel and posting photos on social media using the hashtags #NWZAW, #Orange4Safety, or #SDDOT.

 
SDDOT Resources:
SDDOT created themed coloring sheets, crossword puzzles, and word finds for families and elementary classrooms to use to promote construction safety awareness. Educational materials, as well as awareness building photos and videos, are available on the SDDOT website. Materials are free to download here.

 
For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.

Find construction-based project information on the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov.  

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