MoDOT will once again host its signature effort, Operation Orange, during Work Zone Safety Awareness Week April 6-10, to remind motorists to drive safely in highway work zones.

Each year, National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week helps to usher in another busy highway construction season and to bring up the importance of paying attention in work zones – both for the workers and motorists. One of the ways MoDOT strives to draw attention to work zone safety is through Operation Orange, our signature effort to turn significant Missouri landmarks orange. 

The department launched Operation Orange in 2007, and its success continues to grow. More than 70 buildings and landmarks throughout the state sported orange last year to highlight the need to drive safely in work zones.  

For Operation Orange 2009, many of these same partners and more will join in the efforts to paint Missouri orange again. New to look for this year will be signs or displays at welcome centers across the state, thanks to the Missouri Department of Tourism, and work zone safety messages at gas stations across Missouri.

In addition, radio and Internet ads with the Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones theme will begin April 6 and run periodically throughout the summer months around heavy travel times.

The Operation Orange webpage on MoDOT’s Web site offers photos from last year’s events, tips on how to turn your site orange and a list of partners joining in this year’s effort. To sign up, go to www.modot.mo.gov/operationorange.