Thanks to the over $137 million in Federal stimulus funds for transportation available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, more and more Rhode Islanders will be put to work in the field of construction. That means that more orange cones will be visible on the State’s highways. To mark this, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is letting motorists know that April 6-10 is the 10th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week.
“With the receipt of the stimulus funding, and the official start of construction season fast approaching, we are putting out a great deal of work,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “This will be a busy season, and we need the support of all Rhode Islanders to make it is not only productive but safe.”
All field personnel receive annual work zone safety training as part of the Department’s overall Health & Safety Program. There are plans to train the new field personnel that will be hired as part of the stimulus funding as well.