Virginia DOT Highway Worker Memorial Turns 20

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently commemorated the 20th anniversary of its memorial honoring highway workers who lost their lives on the job. Originally dedicated on September 17, 2004, this monument now bears the names of 134 VDOT employees, many of whom died in work zone crashes. The site serves as a focal point for the annual National Work Zone Awareness Week vigil, reflecting on work zone safety amid ongoing risks. From 2014 to 2024, Virginia experienced over 35,000 work zone-related crashes, leading to 15,677 injuries and 142 fatalities. Built entirely with donations, VDOT’s monument joins similar memorials in states like Mississippi and West Virginia, where transportation departments also honor fallen workers annually.