GREAT VISUALS: Rare opportunity to visit active construction project at ICC; Be among the first to drive on new bridge over I-95 that offers panoramic views of project area;
Opportunity to interview workers, widow of State Highway worker killed in line of duty and Federal Partners; National Memorial, SafeZones vehicle on display

WHAT:  

Briefing and kickoff of National work zone safety awareness month within active construction work zone allows media to experience firsthand the challenges highway workers face.  See mobile national work zone memorial displaying the names of those injured and killed in work zone crashes. Update on SafeZones program and ICC Contract C.  Federal partners will announce new competition and the next State to host National Work Zone Safety Week launch.

WHO: 

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez
Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley
State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen
Laurie Moser, Widow of Highway Worker and Work Zone Safety Advocate
ICC Project Director Melinda Peters
Maintenance worker Robert Williams who witnessed incident injuring co-worker
Representatives from: ATSSA, AASHTO, AGC, ARTBA and other national organizations
Maryland State Police and Transportation Authority Police

WHEN:  

Monday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: 

6101 Van Dusen Road, Laurel, Maryland
(This is a construction staging area.  Signs will guide you to press conference location along I-95).

WHY:  

On average, over the last 10 years in Maryland 2,685 work zone crashes have occurred each year injuring 1,484 and killing 12 people.  While highway construction can be treacherous for workers, four out of five people killed in roadway work zones are drivers and their passengers.  Nationally, more than 700 people are killed each year in work zone crashes, the majority of them motorists.

Maryland is a partner in National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, observed and organized each April by the Federal Highway Administration, American Traffic Safety Service Association’s (ATSSA), the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) together with Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-95:

From Washington, D.C. and points south:  Take I-95 north to Exit 29A for MD 212 East toward Beltsville.  Merge onto MD 212 South/ Powder Mill Road.  Turn left at Old Gunpowder Road.  Travel approximately 2 mies, then turn right onto Van Dusen Road.  Travel approximately 1.2 mile and location to construction field offices will be on your right. It is signed 6101 Van Dusen Road.  Follow service road to event site.

From Baltimore and points north:  Take I-95 south to Exit 33B for MD 198 West/ Sandy Spring Road toward Burtonsville.  Travel .8 miles, then turn left at Sweitzer Lane.  Follow Sweitzer Lane for approximately 1.1 mile, then turn right onto Van Dusen Road.  The destination will be approximately 394 feet on your left.  Follow service road to event site.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: **The press briefing will occur within an ACTIVE construction work site.  Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes for navigation of site.  Vests and construction hard hats will be loaned, please RSVP to guarantee ample supply.**