Caltrans District 1 Pays Tribute to Fallen Highway Workers

This is a press release from Caltrans District 1:

Caltrans District 1 Deputy Director, Maintenance & Operations, Tom Fitzgerald gives opening remarks at the Caltrans District 1 Workers Memorial

Caltrans District 1 staff joined local officials Tuesday morning at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds for the annual Workers Memorial, remembering highway workers who have lost their lives while on the job. This year, the event was hosted in Ukiah for the first time since 2018, having previously been held at the District Office in Eureka.

Since 1921, 195 Caltrans employees have died while working on California’s state highways. The memorial not only honors their memory, but it’s also an opportunity to emphasize the critical importance of safety awareness among workers and motorists. To help prevent further loss and serious injuries, drivers should slow down, stay attentive, avoid distractions, and move over when they see amber flashing lights.

During the ceremony, a moment of silence was held. Caltrans staff paid tribute to the fallen local workers by placing 17 orange cones while District 1 Maintenance Manager Paul Johnson read each of their names out loud, demonstrating solemn respect and remembrance.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to come together and honor the men and women of the Caltrans family whose lives were lost building and maintaining our world class transportation system,” said Caltrans Deputy District 1 Director Tom Fitzgerald. “This event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of safety on state highways as we continue our commitment to achieving zero fatalities and serious injuries by the year 2050.”

Speakers at the event included Fitzgerald, Area Construction Engineer Geoffrey Wright, Cal Fire Mendocino Unit Battalion Chief Alex Leonard, and Ukiah Area California Highway Patrol Commander Captain Billy O’Connor.

Caltrans District 1 oversees state highways across Humboldt, Del Norte, Lake, and Mendocino counties.

Ukiah Area CHP Commander Billy O’Connor speaks about the close partnership between the departments

Cal Fire Captain, Mendocino, Matt McElhinny, plays Amazing Grace on the bagpipes following a moment of silence

There are 17 cones representing Caltrans employees killed while on duty since 1921

Caltrans Maintenance Workers place memorial cones for each of the District 1 employees killed while on duty

Cal Fire Battalion Chief, Mendocino, Alex Leonard, speaks about the partnership between the departments