National Work Zone Awareness Week

By WEEK Producer

National Work Zone Awareness Week

April 8, 2011 Updated Apr 8, 2011 at 2:40 PM CDT

State police are hoping to bridge the safety gap in the number of vehicular accidents in work zone areas. It is National Work Zone Awareness week and already many road construction projects are underway throughout Central Illinois.

In Tazewell County, Illinois Department of Transportation crews are widening portions of Route 8 at the Summit Drive intersection. Drivers can expect delays due to intermittent lane closures and reduced lane width. Illinois state police are also warning motorists about the need to follow state laws prohibiting the use of cell phones near construction areas.

"Use caution in construction zones. This summer there's gonna be several projects going on as there are some already started and that will be picking up as the weather gets nicer, slow down, limit distractions and stay off cell phones." said Illinois State Trooper Dustin Pierce

According to I-DOT last year 32 people were killed in work zone related crashes.

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