National Work Zone Awareness Week 2026

ZANESVILLE, OH – It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week which serves as a good reminder to slow down and give construction workers the room to do their job.

Chas Cosgrave, the ODOT District 5 Public Information Officer, says this national effort is meant to highlight the precautions drivers should be taking as we begin to enter into construction season.

He says the most important things to keep in mind are to slow down, put down your cellphone, and always keep your eye out for workers entering or exiting the work zone.

“In the Muskingum County area in particular, I don’t have an exact number of [accidents], but I know they are rising.” Cosgrave said. “That’s certainly an upsetting trend and you know that’s why we’re here today talking about it, trying to bring awareness. Everyone’s decisions in a work zone, those have real world effects. Put the phones down, move over, slow down.”

He says the construction workers are wives, husbands and children just working to get home to their families each night.

“We always encourage the public to check us out online, either at our website or OHGO.com.” Cosgrave said. “We actually share our work zones and those detour information and things like that so people can be prepared during their travel for these scenarios.”

For information on construction zones and detours coming to our area and surrounding counties, you can head to OHGO.com