YUMA, AZ - Working on the road whether it's maintenance or construction it's one of the riskiest professions in the country, according to the California Department of Transportation. On Wednesday 178 workers since 1924 were remembered after losing their lives while on the job.
Laurie Berman, the Caltrans District Director says "It's a huge loss. Last year in San Diego and Imperial County we lost 3 people in the line of duty and it's devastating to their family and to the Caltrans family."
During the memorial each cone displayed on the pavement has the name of a former employee who died and each name was individually read off. Berman says "It's Important to remember our employees who have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty. It's a good reminder for our employees about the importance for safe practices and it's a really good reminder to the public."
Berman says they have a lot of employees out there making sure the roads are in good condition. She says the only thing separating these workers from traffic is a row of orange cones with very little room for forgiveness. She says "We ask the public when you see our employees out there working slow down, pay attention, put away your distractions and don't drive impaired."
Caltrans honors their workers killed in the line of duty every year, but this is the first time the event has been held in Imperial Valley. The statewide remembrance will take place next week in Sacramento.
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