As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, transportation officials are urging drivers to stay alert and prioritize safety in and around construction zones. The campaign emphasizes the importance of responsible driving habits, especially as construction season ramps up across central Indiana.
Safety data underscores the urgency of the message. According to officials, four out of five people killed in work zones are drivers or passengers—not construction workers. Distracted driving remains a major concern, with texting behind the wheel increasing crash risk by 50%. Seatbelts, meanwhile, reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45%. In 2024 alone, 3,208 lives were lost due to distracted driving, accounting for 8% of all fatal crashes.
The initiative’s “Buckle Up, Phone Down” message encourages drivers to remain focused and cautious, particularly in active work zones.
Local Leadership on Work Zone Safety
Colin Yoder, who has served as an area engineer for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) West Central District’s Frankfort subdistrict for the past year and a half, is helping lead safety efforts in the region. Yoder oversees multiple projects and emphasizes the importance of proactive traffic management, clear signage, and constant monitoring to protect both workers and motorists.
He notes that one of the biggest challenges is driver behavior. Speeding, distraction, and failure to follow lane shifts can quickly turn dangerous in work zones. Yoder encourages drivers to slow down, stay attentive, and remember that conditions can change quickly.
Listeners can tune into Partyline on HoosierlandTv.com to hear the full interview with Yoder, where he shares additional insights on managing work zone safety and what drivers should keep in mind this construction season.
Clinton County Projects
Several projects are underway or set to begin in Clinton County:
- U.S. 421 Bridge over Cripe Run (south of Rossville): Construction has been recently let and begins immediately, with a detour utilizing State Road 26 and State Road 75. The project is expected to last approximately three months.
- I-65 Patching (State Road 28 to State Road 38): Work is anticipated to begin after Memorial Day and will impact both Clinton and Tippecanoe counties.
- I-65 Southbound Ramp at State Road 28: A new traffic signal installation is expected to begin this summer.
- State Road 28 (State Road 39 to Hoke Avenue): This project is now complete, with no further road work expected.
- County Road 750 Bridge Reconstruction over Cripe Run: A 150-day closure is scheduled to begin in June. The project is located south of Rossville and west of U.S. 421 and is being completed locally with INDOT oversight.
Boone County Projects
Boone County will see extensive construction activity across several corridors:
- State Road 32 (Garrafolo Road to past County Road 250 W): Lane closures and shifting traffic patterns are expected due to roadway realignment and expansion. The speed limit will be permanently reduced to 45 mph in the area, with 35 mph enforced when crews are present. The road is expected to reopen by the end of 2026, with some lane closures continuing into 2027.
- State Road 32 Realignment (west of CR 250 to CR 500): Off-road work, including clearing and embankment construction, is expected to begin in March 2026. County Road 400 is currently closed with detours in place.
- State Road 39 (south of I-65): Road widening near the Lebanon Sports Complex is underway, with traffic control measures being implemented.
- I-65/US 52 Interchange Project: Ongoing work includes lane shifts, nighttime rolling slowdowns, and upcoming closures. The project, located between State Road 32 and State Road 47, is expected to be completed in 2028. A closure of U.S. 52 north of County Road 300 is anticipated later this summer.
- I-865 & I-65 Fiber Optic Upgrades: Nighttime lane and shoulder closures are expected beginning this summer.
- Multiple State Road 32 Projects: Intermittent lane closures will continue this spring for finishing work, including bridge improvements, pavement markings, and landscaping.
- Grant Street Reconstruction (Lebanon): The road remains closed for a full reconstruction project expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
- County Road 500 Bridge Reconstruction over Bett Ditch: A 150-day closure is scheduled to begin in May.
- Roundabout Construction (CR 400 & CR 100): A 135-day closure is expected to begin later this month, with utility work already causing intermittent lane restrictions.
- U.S. 52 Scour Protection Project: Work is expected to begin on or after July 1.
- Pavement Markings: Various roads across the county will receive new or refreshed markings beginning this spring.
A Continued Call for Caution
With dozens of active and upcoming projects, officials stress that work zone safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers are reminded to slow down, eliminate distractions, and remain vigilant—not just during Work Zone Awareness Week, but throughout the entire construction season.
“Every decision behind the wheel matters,” Yoder emphasized. “Staying focused can save lives.”