Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – With another historic construction season ramping up, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and their safety partners are sharing important details about local projects and tips for safely navigating work zones.

As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, transportation and law enforcement officials hosted events throughout the country, reminding the public of this year’s theme: “Respect the zone so we all get home.”

Represented at the Tuesday morning news conference at the busy intersection of Sangamon Ave. and N. Dirksen Parkway were Illinois State Police, Associated General Contractors of Illinois, LIUNA Local 477, Sangamon County, Illinois Trucking Association and the Mid-West Truckers Association.

They all had a joint safety message to reduce the number of work zone crashes, injuries and deaths in Illinois, STOP DISTRACTED DRIVING.  They say put down the cell phones, the food, the makeup, the CDs and any other distractions that will take your concentration off the road.

IDOT road maintnance worker Steve Wagoner and his 13 year old son, Hoyt, talked to reporters about Steve close call while driving a state vehicle. He was hit by a loaded semi. He escaped with only minor injuries, but he brought along a 2-ton Traffic Direction Device that was demolished in the accident.

The new interim secretary of the IL Dept of Transportation, Gia Biagi, spoke to reporters. She says the state’s Workforce Investment Program will make this one of the busiest work zone seasons in many years. She says 13 people died in work zone accidents and there were 6300 work zone crashes last year.