In 2022, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) instituted a new director’s policy on road safety, which commits the department to the safe system approach by prioritizing safety first in design planning and improving safety. Photo courtesy of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the families of fallen workers, employees and dignitaries today honored the 194 Caltrans workers who have lost their lives while working on the state highway system since 1921. This year’s ceremony is dedicated to the memory of Equipment Operator Alexander Rodish. He died on July 22, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle while working on Interstate 5 in San Clemente.

“We remain committed in honoring these fallen workers and their families while imploring travelers to drive safely on our roads, protecting highway workers and the public,” said California Department of Transportation Director Tony Tavares. “Tragically, this year, we lost one of our own. We mourn alongside the family, friends and coworkers of Alexander Rodish, who lost his life while helping to build a safer state highway system. His legacy will continue to inspire us.”

 

The annual Fallen Highway Workers memorial event provides a poignant setting for families and co-workers to formally pay their respects and provide solemn tributes, while creating a stark reminder for motorists to drive safely and attentively when traveling through highway work zones. Photo courtesy of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

In 2022, the California Department of Transportation instituted a new director’s policy on road safety, which commits the department to the safe system approach by prioritizing safety first in design planning and focusing on improving safety on the state’s transportation network.

During the ceremony, the California Department of Transportation emphasized road safety and reaffirmed the department’s vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050. It also used 194 signature orange cones to create a diamond “caution sign” configuration, with each displaying the name of an employee who died on duty. One black cone in the center of the diamond represented all people killed while working on the state’s highways, including private contractors, tow truck drivers, California Highway Patrol officers and other emergency responders. A second black cone represented Alexander Rodish.

The annual April memorial event provides a poignant setting for families and co-workers to formally pay their respects and provide solemn tributes, while creating a stark reminder for motorists to drive safely and attentively when traveling through highway work zones.

 

The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces, and the Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship is available to the children of these workers. For more information or to make donations, visit the California Transportation Foundation at the-ctf.org/. Photo courtesy of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. It is dedicated to educating drivers about behaviors that often divert attention from the roadway and how safe driving habits can drastically reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roadways.

The commemoration also included the nine-member Caltrans Honor Guard. Additionally, flags flew at half-staff at the State Capitol. In homage to the California Department of Transportation's pride and traditional color scheme, orange light bathed the Capitol dome.

The California Department of Transportation partners with the California Transportation Foundation on two funds to benefit the families of workers killed on the job. The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces, and the Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship is available to the children of these workers. For more information or to make donations, visit the California Transportation Foundation at the-ctf.org/.

This year, Ashly Shaw was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship. Shaw is the daughter of Si Si Han, who was killed while on duty as a Bay Bridge toll taker in December 2017. Ashly is a senior at Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) King Collegiate High School in San Lorenzo, where she is the president of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Club and has also been recognized as an Advanced Placement (AP) scholar. Ashly plans to attend the University of California, Davis in the fall.

 

During the Fallen Highway Workers ceremony, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) emphasized road safety and reaffirmed the department’s vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050. Photo courtesy of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)