As road construction and maintenance activities increase with the arrival of spring, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is participating in National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 21 to April 25, 2025. This initiative aims to highlight the importance of safety in work zones and the risks faced by those within these areas. The theme for this year is “Respect the Zone, So We All Get Home.”
Alaska DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson noted the scale of current projects. “This construction season is one of the busiest we’ve seen in years, as we invest in critical upgrades to Alaska’s highway system—our lifeline for communities, commerce, and connection,” he said. Anderson emphasized the importance of driver safety, reminding motorists that “behind every orange sign are skilled DOT&PF staff and contractors working together to improve safety and reliability for all Alaskans. We ask drivers to stay alert, slow down, and help protect the people building and maintaining the roads we all rely on.”
To ensure safety, motorists travel through work zones should remain vigilant, adhere to posted speed limits, and refrain from distractions such as using mobile phones. Drivers should also anticipate sudden changes in traffic patterns and lane closures, plan for extra travel time, and check road conditions using Alaska DOT&PF resources.
April 23 has been designated Go Orange Day, encouraging Alaskans to show their support for work zone safety by wearing safety colors and sharing photos on social media with the hashtags #Orange4Safety and #NWZAW.
Alaska DOT&PF manages an extensive infrastructure network that includes 237 airports, nine ferries servicing 35 communities, and over 5,600 miles of highways. The department is dedicated to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”
