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The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the heavy construction industry collaborated to announce ‘Work Zone Safety Awards.’
MDOT, executives from contractors, industry associations, and consulting engineering companies, launched the Work Zone Safety Task Force in 2018. The awards recognizes safety efforts put forth in work zones across Michigan.
“The winners of this first-ever award highlight the great things that happen when stakeholders work together in a constructive and cooperative way to always keep safety the top priority,” said Mike Malloure, president of C.A. Hull and task force co-chair. “We hope that this award encourages everyone in our industry to think a little differently and always look for ways to improve safety for workers and motorists on Michigan’s roads.”
The task force evaluated each project based on collaboration, implementation of new ideas for work zone safety, response to change to promote safety in the work zone, communication, and positive safety culture.
Awards were given in three categories: small, medium, and large.
The small project award went to the $3.3 million full-depth concrete pavement repair project on I-96 in Kent and Ionia counties. Contractor: C&D Hughes, Inc.; MDOT engineer: Tanya Pawlukiewicz.
The medium project award was won by the $10.4 million I-675 repair project in Saginaw. Contractor: C.A. Hull; MDOT engineer: Brian Ulman.
The large project award was given to the $257 million I-275 rebuilding project in Wayne and Monroe counties. Contractor: Dan’s Excavating, Inc.; MDOT engineer: Jeff Horne.
“Celebrating and recognizing the good work MDOT employees and contractors are doing together to make our work zones safer is a crucial part of changing our culture to put greater emphasis on safety,” said Tony Kratofil, MDOT chief operations officer and task force co-chair. “I’m grateful to the members of the Work Zone Safety Task Force for developing this award program and recognizing the collaboration and outcomes we all want to see.
The awards were presented at the annual Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) conference in Mount Pleasant on Jan. 19.