Indiana, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 10 is hosting the traveling PennDOT Worker's Memorial July 2 through 7 at the District Office in Indiana County.

The display honors PennDOT employees killed in the line of duty across the commonwealth since 1970 when the department was established. The memorial, with reflective vests and hardhats, was created by Bradford County maintenance workers following the death of co-worker Leah Rumsey, who was hit by a car while flagging in a work zone.  The white hard hats represent the foremen while the orange hard hats represent the various workers.

District 10 which encompasses Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, and Jefferson Counties has had two employees lose their lives in workplace accidents.  Their names, county of employment and date of passing are as follows: Robert Greeley, Jefferson County, October 4, 1982; and Ronald Porter, Butler County, September 15, 2003. These District 10 PennDOT employees are part of the 90 represented in the memorial.

In 2023, there were 1216 reportable work zone crashes and 19 of them were fatalities.  In District 10, there have been 32 work zone intrusions over the past five years.

“A work zone intrusion is anytime a motor vehicle enters a portion of the roadway that is closed for construction or maintenance activity," said Matt Burkett, Assistant District Executive – Maintenance.  “Traffic controls like cones, signs, signals and flaggers are out there for the safety of our workers and to safely direct motorists through a work zone."​

When motorists encounter a work zone, they should keep following tips in mind for their safety and the safety of highway workers.

• Drive the posted work zone speed limit.
• Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers.
• All motorists are required to travel with their headlights turned on in all posted work zones, not just active work zones. It is necessary for drivers in vehicles with daytime running lights to turn on their headlights on to activate their taillights.
• Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Drivers may experience sudden stops or slow-downs leading up to or in work zones - be sure you have the space between you and the surrounding vehicles to react.
• Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road.
• Always buckle up.
• Be patient.

“Safety is always our top priority for our staff and the motorists throughout our district," said District 10 Executive Director Brian Allen. “We want everyone to get home safely to their families and friends, so I can't stress enough the need for caution on our roadways.  Reduce your speed and eliminate any distractions especially while travelling through a work zone."

The traveling Worker's Memorial will be displayed July 2 through 7, on the lawn of the District 10 Office at 2550 Oakland Avenue, Indiana near the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Indian Springs Road.

PennDOT invites the families and friends of District 10 employees who have lost their lives through a workplace accident to contact Community Relations Coordinator, Tina Gibbs at chgibbs@pa.gov if they would like to visit the memorial or want additional information.

For more information on work zone safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.

Subscribe to PennDOT news in in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, and Jefferson counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District10. 

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