Podcast focuses on worker deaths on road construction projects with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and MDOT maintenance supervisor Steve Wessels

Talking Michigan Transportation

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a discussion about a new video emphasizing the need for drivers to slow down when driving through road construction projects. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talks about MDOT’s “drive like you work here” message and why it is important as more major roads will be rebuilt in 2021. The governor explained her Rebuilding Michigan plan during the Jan. 31 edition of the podcast.

As a Sept. 25 news release explained, while there are fewer motorists on the roads, the number of road and work zone fatalities are on the rise. The increase in crashes and fatalities comes at a time when the department is reporting a 20 percent decrease in overall statewide traffic volumes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As of September, 730 people have died on Michigan roads. That's an increase of 58 deaths compared to this time last year. In September, vehicles struck two on-the-job road workers, who died from their injuries.

Later, a conversation with Steve Wessels, a veteran maintenance supervisor at MDOT who was featured in a Fox 17 story talking about efforts to stay safe while working alongside heavy vehicle traffic.

Wessels shares his stories from the road and how he trains workers to protect themselves on projects.