Caltrans families, dignitaries and employees today honored the 193 Caltrans workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1921 while emphasizing the need to drive safely through work zones at its 34^th Annual Fallen Workers Memorial at the State Capitol.

“We remain committed as ever to honor our fallen heroes and their families and to ensure the safety of our workers and the traveling public,” said Tony Tavares, Caltrans Director. “Our hearts are united in solidarity as we pause to remember the sacrifices made by our colleagues and their loved ones. These public servants were dedicated to providing all Californians with a safer state highway, and that mission continues to inspire and motivate us today. Please always slow down in work zones and move over a lane if it’s safe to do so whenever you see flashing amber lights ahead – it could be a matter of life and death.”

During the ceremony, Caltrans placed 193 orange traffic cones in a diamond "caution sign" configuration, each bearing the name of an employee who died on duty. A black cone in the center represented all people killed while working on the highway system, including those who lost their lives at last month’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Maryland, private contractors, tow truck drivers, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and other emergency responders.

The annual memorial offers an opportunity for families and co-workers to formally pay their respects and solemn tributes to the fallen, while creating a stark reminder for motorists to drive safely and attentively when traveling through highway work zones.

Caltrans maintenance crew employee and Caltrans Honor Guard member Kaira Dillon, 26, of San Diego, spoke on behalf of the department and the families of fallen workers. Her grandfather John Gilmore Jr., a bridge engineer, perished on the job in 1966 with two co-workers after being hit by a drunk driver.

“When I told my grandmother that I had been hired by Caltrans, she shared the story of my grandfather and his two friends,” Dillon said. “That conversation changed my life forever and added perspective as a Caltrans employee. Never being able to meet my grandfather and learning that he passed away on duty has forced me to pay close attention to my surroundings and be more aware of the potential risks associated with the job. Our lives are on the line and can be taken away in the blink of an eye.”

The commemoration also included the 16-member Caltrans Honor Guard, who led the symbolic tribute. Additionally, flags flew at half-staff at the State Capitol and at all Caltrans facilities across the state. In homage to Caltrans’ pride and traditional color scheme, orange light bathed the Capitol rotunda the night before, during, and after the annual ceremony.

Additional information about the 2024 Caltrans Workers’ Memorial will be added to a digital media kit no later than 3 p.m. after the ceremony, including b-roll, video clips, photos, and more. To access this material, click the following link: bit.ly/Memorial_Media_24

Since the passage of Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Caltrans and local agencies have invested billions of dollars repairing and maintaining California’s transportation system. The additional funding has increased the number of Caltrans employees and contractors working on the state highway system. For more information on transportation projects throughout the state, visit build.ca.gov and www.rebuildingca.ca.gov.

In 2022, 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; focusing on eliminating the most serious crashes; and addressing historic barriers to transportation access. The approach further affirms the vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050.

Caltrans has also partnered with the California Transportation Foundation to develop two funds to benefit the families of Caltrans 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.

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