Caltrans honors fallen highway workers, urges drivers to be more alert
Andrea Turisk
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) paused to remember nearly 200 men and women who lost their lives working along California highways.
Caltrans says the job of a highway worker is extremely dangerous. Monday’s ceremony honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice, like Jaime Obeso, and called on driver to make sure no more names are added to the list.
At the Caltrans El Centro maintenance yard, 194 orange cones lined the pavement, each one representing a Caltrans worker killed on the job since 1920.
Caltrans District 11 Director Anne Fox says this ceremony serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.
“It truly hits home on the work we need to do both as Caltrans on adopting and really putting forward a culture of safety,” Fox expressed.
For Caltrans crews, safety isn’t just part of the job, its the top priority the moment the day begins.
Ernesto Almodovar Jr., Caltrans Equipment Operator for District 11 says, “It’s the first thing that we think about when we wake up is that we want to make it right and make it back home at the end of the day and I believe that is essential with my line of duty.”
But staying safe isn’t something they can do alone. Crews rely on drivers to do their part. To stay alert and aware.
“There’s a lot of different obstacles, changes, road conditions that they need to focus on that road and just make it to where they want to go safely,” Almodovar remarked.
Caltrans says drivers can make a difference with one choice. Stay focused. Behind every vest is a person hoping to get home.