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ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Transportation honors transportation workers who have been killed or injured while working on state highways, in recognition of Workers Memorial Day.
Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed April 28, 2026, as Workers Memorial Day in Minnesota and the Interstate 35W Bridge in Minneapolis will be lit orange tonight to honor those who have died while working in work zones.
“At MnDOT, safety is at the center of everything we do. Workers Memorial Day is a somber reminder about the importance of keeping our work zones safe,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “Every day, the people working on our roads work hard to keep you safe. Help keep them safe, too. Slow down when navigating work zones, obey work zone speed limits, put away the phone and all distractions. Together, we make these zones safe for everyone.”
Thirty-six MnDOT workers and 17 contractors have lost their lives while working on Minnesota highways since 1960, including two workers who died in work zones last September. Immediately after those tragic deaths, MnDOT held a first-ever statewide safety stand down, where all employees participated in workplace safety training and reflection during the work day. MnDOT is now holding safety stand downs regularly, including one last week to mark Work Zone Awareness Week.
The agency reminds travelers that drivers and passengers suffer the majority of work zone deaths and injuries, and urges all drivers to follow these safety tips in work zones:
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Drive the work zone speed limit. It helps create a consistent, more predictable traffic flow for everyone. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
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Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating – while in a work zone.
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Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
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Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
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Know before you go. Visit 511mn.org to get real-time information about traffic and road conditions, or download the free 511mn app at Google Play or the App Store.
- Avoid unnecessary lane changes.
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Do the zipper merge.
Visit MnDOT’s Transportation Workers Memorial website to see the list of fallen workers in Minnesota, their stories, and the permanent worker memorial installation at MnDOT headquarters.
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www.mndot.gov
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