MnDOT Honors Fallen Transportation Workers

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is honoring transportation workers who have been killed or injured while working on state highways, in recognition of Workers Memorial Day.

Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed today (April 28, 2026), as Workers Memorial Day in Minnesota and the Interstate 35W Bridge in Minneapolis will be lit orange tonight to honor those who have died while working in work zones.

“At MnDOT, safety is at the center of everything we do. Workers Memorial Day is a somber reminder about the importance of keeping our work zones safe,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “Every day, the people working on our roads work hard to keep you safe. Help keep them safe, too. Slow down when navigating work zones, obey work zone speed limits, put away the phone and all distractions. Together, we make these zones safe for everyone.”

Thirty-six MnDOT workers and 17 contractors have lost their lives while working on Minnesota highways since 1960, including two workers who died in work zones last September.

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