Earlier today, the Indiana Department of Transportation officially recognized National Work Zone Awareness Week as both maintenance and construction projects begin across the Hoosier state.
INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist was joined by Indiana State Police, Indiana Constructors Inc. (ICI) and the Indiana Laborers District Council (LiUNA!) near the Clear Path I-465 project site on the northeast side of Indianapolis to announce $2.6 billion in transportation infrastructure projects set to take place across Indiana this year.
“Drivers across the Hoosier State will encounter orange barrels and active work sites this spring and summer,” said Governor Mike Braun. “Making improvements to our state’s transportation infrastructure is critical to boosting economic growth and quality of life, and it takes all of us slowing down and paying close attention to ensure safety for everyone on the road.”
“More than 1,000 projects are planned on state highways, U.S. routes and interstates this construction season,” said Commissioner Quist. “130 of those aim to improve traffic flow and safety, and over 6,200 lane miles of pavement will be resurfaced or replaced. It’s vital that motorists keep safety top of mind when traveling through work zones in an effort to protect themselves, their passengers, other drivers, and road workers.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of injuries and fatalities in work zones involve drivers or their passengers.
“In 2025, 16 people were killed and more than 1,500 were hurt in Indiana work zones,” said Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor. “While we’ve seen improvement in these numbers in recent years, there is still work to be done. We are asking for help from drivers to continue bringing these numbers down by slowing down, avoiding distractions behind the wheel, and driving unimpaired, especially in work zones.”
The Clear Path 465 project in Indianapolis served as host for this year’s event.
The Clear Path corridor stretches from Allisonville Road to 56th Street on I-465 and will transform one of the state’s busiest interchanges with efficient, high-capacity ramps for I-465 and I-69 to reduce traffic weaving and merging. Up-to-date information related to Clear Path construction can be found on the project website at ClearPath465.com.
Project Greenlight
In February, INDOT announced a new work zone initiative to increase worker safety called Project Greenlight, equipping workers with Guardian Angel safety lights to help bring awareness to workers in times of limited visibility.
Guardian Angel safety lights are wearable devices with flashing green patterns that improve worker visibility from all directions.
When worn with a high visibility vest, these lights help workers become 89% more visible to motorists according to a study from Battelle Memorial Institute. INDOT has distributed nearly 750 lights to employees statewide.
Did you know? Bright green is the most visible color to the human eye and is most visible from far distances. Green is also easily distinguishable from other standard lighting in INDOT work zones.
Indiana Safe Zones
Indiana’s worksite speed control pilot program, known as Safe Zones, continues to be an investment in safety for all Hoosiers. Research from Purdue University shows from August 2024 to July 2025, excessive speeding, or vehicles traveling more than 11 mph over
the posted speed limit, decreased 34% for passenger vehicles and 41% for commercial vehicles in enforcement sites between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. At individual sites, reductions of 70 to 80% have been documented.
Four Safe Zones sites are currently active in the following locations:
- Clear Path I-465/I-69 in Marion County
- I-65 in Jasper County
- I-70 in Hancock County
- I-74 in Decatur and Shelby counties
To learn more about Safe Zones, visit SafeZonesIN.com.
Automated Flagger Assistance Devices
INDOT is currently working with Purdue University on a study utilizing automated flagger assistance devices in southern Indiana. These devices replace traditional flaggers with a changeable message board and stop/slow paddles.
This type of attenuator has been used by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) which conducted a similar study in 2017. Since the conclusion of its research, MoDOT has around 100 of these devices in its fleet.
The goal of automated flagging is to increase flagger safety by removing workers from the immediate vicinity of traffic, relocating them inside a vehicle, where the system is operated during maintenance operations.
Safe Actions Save Lives
The theme of this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24) is “Safe Actions Save Lives”. Below are actions Hoosiers can take to keep themselves and others safe in work zones this construction and maintenance season.
Indiana drivers are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by visiting 511in.org or downloading INDOT’s TrafficWise app to see real-time traffic conditions and INDOT project updates.
Subscribe to text and email updates delivered straight to your inbox at alerts.indot.in.gov. To report a roadway issue or concern, visit indot4u.com. Learn more about work zone safety at INDOT here.
Stay Informed
Motorists in Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts any time via:
- Facebook: facebook.com/indianadepartmentoftransportation
- X (formerly Twitter): @INDOT
- TrafficWise: 511in.org
- Mobile App: iTunes App Store and the Google Play store for Android