The Midwest is experiencing a surge in infrastructure investment. However, this boom brings a significant challenge: managing safety in high-speed, high-volume work zones. Work zone safety isn't just a regulatory checkbox — it’s a critical operational challenge that impacts the lives of crews and the company's bottom line.
Recent data from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, highlights sobering numbers. From 2020 to 2024, work zone fatalities in the Midwest Contractor region totaled:
- Iowa: 34 people
- Kansas: 33 people
- Missouri: 126 people
- Nebraska: 34 people
According to TRIP’s analysis, in addition to the human toll, the economic cost imposed by traffic crashes in 2024 alone was:
- Iowa: $3.7 billion
- Kansas: $3 billion
- Missouri: $9.1 billion
- Nebraska: $2.1 billion
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Work zones are among the most dangerous environments for both motorists and highway workers.
State legislatures are responding to these rising numbers with stricter enforcement. For instance, in 2025, Iowa became the 31st state to enact hands-free legislation. Full enforcement and fines started in January 2026.
Kansas and other states have also addressed the problem through education. In 2025, through a partnership with the Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), Kansas Turnpike Authority, and Kansas Highway Patrol, the state launched Work Zone Safe, an online course offered free to any Kansas driver.
“Behind every flag, cone, and flashing light are highway workers and first responders who have families that want them to come home every night,” said Haley Dougherty, KDOT State Highway Safety Engineer, in a news release at the time of the launch. “This course is designed to raise awareness in new drivers about safe driving practices in work zones, which should make the work zone safer for all.”
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For construction firms, a safety incident is a multi-layered disaster. Beyond the tragic human cost, a single work zone intrusion can result in project delays, insurance premium hikes, and a damaged reputation among potential employees and clients.
How can you mitigate these risks?
“Improving safety in construction work zones demands a comprehensive approach, one that combines physical separation like concrete and movable barriers, automated speed enforcement, traditional traffic controls such as flagging and signage, and real-time digital alerts that keep drivers informed and workers protected,” said Rocky Moretti, TRIP’s Director of Policy and Research. “It is important that work zone strategies are fully implemented by adequate planning and design, which leads to less casualties and accidents.”
Each spring, National Work Zone Awareness Week — a campaign founded by the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Federal Highway Administration — brings attention to work zone safety. But protecting workers and your business requires constant effort. By combining enforcement tools with rigorous internal safety protocols, contractors can ensure that the men and women building the Midwest’s future return home safely after every shift.
