National Work Zone Awareness Week

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Creating Safer Highways

Posted on by Joe Ball

HC+M’s Milestone Contractors Leads the Charge in INDOT Safe Zone Speed Camera Pilot Program

Road safety is a paramount concern, especially in construction zones where the risk of accidents can be high. As part of our unwavering commitment to safety and innovation, Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) and Milestone Contractors are at the forefront of championing the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) Safe Zone speed camera pilot program, which aims to protect motorists and workers on the state’s highways.

Speeding and inattentive driving are big challenges for construction crews working on Indiana’s interstates. That is why we fully embrace the pilot program as a significant step forward in reducing collisions and casualties in work zones. For Milestone General Superintendent Chad Scott, the initiative is personal; as someone who has experienced the loss of a co-worker in a construction zone accident, the cameras represent the hope that reduced speeds might prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss. Scott and other industry professionals testified before the IN House in July 2023, leading the enactment of HEA 1015, which authorized the speed camera pilot program.

Scott recently led a transformative I-70 design-build project in Greenfield, IN. This crucial infrastructure upgrade added travel lanes in both directions to accommodate the region’s traffic volume. With its high stakes and location, the I-70 project became the inaugural site for the deployment of SafeZone speed cameras in August 2024. Previously, only concrete barriers and barrels stood between construction workers and fast-moving traffic.

Travelers along I-70 in Indiana now encounter highly visible signage notifying them of the speed cameras ahead. The SafeZone program is a game-changer, setting a new standard for penalizing speeding and promoting a change in driver behavior. The program aims to significantly reduce the number of accidents. In 2023, 33 fatalities and more than 1,750 injuries occurred in Indiana work zones, with unsafe speeds frequently being a contributing factor. Now, speed cameras offer an added layer of protection, ensuring workers can return home to their families safely each day.

Visit SafeZonesIN.com for more information about the Indiana Safe Zones program and its impact across Indiana.

Indiana’s Bold Move to Protect Workers and Drivers

About Heritage Construction + Materials

Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) is part of The Heritage Group, a privately held, family-owned business headquartered in Indianapolis. HC+M has core capabilities in infrastructure building. Its collection of companies provides innovative road construction and materials services across the Midwest. HC+M companies, including Asphalt Materials, Inc., Evergreen Roadworks, Milestone Contractors and US Aggregates, proudly employ 3,000 people at 68 locations across seven states. Learn more at www.heritagebuilds.com.

About Milestone Contractors, L.P.

Milestone Contractors is a privately held, family-owned business headquartered in Indianapolis. Milestone Contractors is a fully integrated heavy construction company specializing in highway, bridge, asphalt and concrete paving and site development. Over its 30-year history, Milestone has built a reputation for prioritizing safety, quality, people and innovation. Milestone Contractors is a part of The Heritage Group’s family of companies. Learn more at www.milestonelp.com.

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Honoring National Work Zone Awareness Week

Posted on by Joe Ball

Navigating Construction Zones: The Importance of Safety and Vigilance on the Road

As we enter another construction season, it’s crucial to understand the dangers of distracted driving and the necessity of reducing speeds in work zones. For Heritage companies, the demanding activity of construction requires heightened attention from drivers, yet distractions and the temptation to maintain regular speeds often prevail. The consequences are troubling, as evidenced by the latest data on work zone accidents and fatalities.

According to recent statistics, work zones prove to be hazardous environments for both drivers and construction workers alike. In 2021 alone, a staggering 956 individuals lost their lives in work zones across the United States. Alarmingly, a sizable portion of these fatalities—778 to be exact—were motorists and their passengers. This reality underscores the urgent need for drivers to exercise caution and reduce speeds while traveling through construction zones.

The dangers are not limited to drivers. Construction workers face inherent risks as they take on the important and necessary duties of building, maintaining and repairing our critical infrastructure. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that 108 highway workers fell victim to occupational fatalities in road construction sites in 2021. These individuals were not merely statistics; they were dedicated professionals whose lives were tragically cut short due to preventable accidents.

Considering these sobering statistics, it’s imperative for drivers to recognize their role in ensuring road safety during construction season. The mantra of “slow speeds save lives” summarizes the necessary approach for navigating work zones responsibly. By adhering to posted speed limits, maintaining a safe following distance and minimizing distractions, drivers can reduce the risk of accidents and safeguard the lives of both themselves and others on the road.

As drivers, we hold the power to prevent tragedies and uphold the safety of our roads. Let’s heed the call to action, embrace responsibility behind the wheel and ensure that every journey through a construction zone is a safe one for all involved.