May 22, 2024
By Lane Kimble
BROOKFIELD, Wis. — In an industry filled with risks, Andy Bakker places road pavement marking near the top of the list.
“It is one of the most dangerous jobs in road construction,” Bakker said.
That was apparent in an I-94 work zone near Lake Mills a few years ago. Bakker said his Century Traffic crews were on the job when a driver (who was watching Netflix on his phone) came barreling through.
“He missed every sign we had, every message board, every arrow board, even all our strobe lights as he approached our crews,” Bakker said.
Luckily, Century Traffic was using a truck-mounted attenuator, which protected the people on the road and softened the crash, helping everyone survive.
Bakker shared that story and pictures of the wreckage during WisDOT’s Southeast Region work zone awareness event Wednesday.
“We believe that safe driving is always in season, especially in and ahead of an extended holiday weekend, where hundreds of thousands of people will be traveling,” SE Region Deputy Director Emlynn Grisar said during the media event.
Last year in Wisconsin there were more than 2,100 crashes causing more than 700 injuries. Nine people died.
“These construction workers aren’t just anonymous laborers. They are our neighbors, our friends, and family members,” Waukesha County Highway Department crew member Katie Schroeder said. “To me, they are fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters.”
For the second straight year, WisDOT and WTBA have worked with state and local partners to expand work zone awareness beyond just one week in April. Wednesday’s event marked the second of six monthly reminders all across the state. The stories will be different at each, but the message remains the same: slow down, put the phone down, and pay attention.
“Just like you, everyone in the work zone with vests on wants to go home and see their families,” Bakker said.
Milwaukee-area news coverage
- Workers issue plea ahead of holiday weekend FOX 6
- Worker almost killed by driver has important reminder TMJ4
- Wisconsin leaders urge travelers to drive safely CBS-58
