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Caltrans Workers Memorial and Worker Safety

Since 1921, 194 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job. One of the biggest hazards faced by highway workers are inattentive and distracted motorists.

Each year, Caltrans honors its fallen employees at the statewide Workers' Memorial. Family members, co-workers, friends, and the general public are invited to attend the memorial, which took place last year on April 25, 2024. Watch the recorded webcast.

The Fallen Workers' Memorial is a time to remember those who lost their lives building, maintaining, and operating California’s world-class transportation system.

This observance also highlights safety awareness for employees in work zones, as well as the motoring public. 

2025 Caltrans Statewide and District Workers' Memorial Ceremonies 

We hope that you take the time to attend one of the memorials being held throughout the state, either virtually or in person, as we honor those who lost their lives on the job. Find your District on this map.

New date new place. Fallen workers' memorial. April 17 2025. River Walk Park, West Sacramento
Statewide:      Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m., River Walk Park,
      West Sacramento

 

District 1:
May 21, Eureka Equipment Shop (1650 Albee St., Eureka) Time TBA

 

District 2:
April 29, 11 a.m., Chester Maintenance Station (1187 SR-36, Chester)

  

District 4:
April 22, District 4 Training Center (200 Burma Road, Oakland) Time TBA

 

District 5:
April 30, 10 a.m., District 5 Office (50 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo)

 

District 6:
April 22, 10:30 a.m., District 6 Office (1352 W. Olive Ave, Fresno).

 

District 8:       April 24, 10 a.m., District Office (464 W 4th St.,

     San Bernardino)

2025 Caltrans Fallen Workers' Memorial Scholarship

The Caltrans Fallen Workers' Memorial Scholarships are awarded to children of Fallen Caltrans Workers – as well as to those of Fallen Workers in California’s transportation industry, including contractors – to help selected students meet their post-high school educational goals.

The scholarship award must be used to attend a post-secondary school or institution. This may include any: public or private four-year accredited college or university; two-year accredited college; vocational-technical college or a training institution.

The 2024 application period is closed. The 2025 applications will open after January 2025.

For more information, visit the California Transportation Foundation.

Remembering our Fallen Heroes sale. This is a flier that includes images of the merchandise on sale as well as a QR code that leads to the shop where these items can be purchased. Merchandise includes an orange, white, and black pin that reads: 2025 35th annual Caltrans Workers' Memorial. A blank beanie with the blue and green Caltrans "CT" logo. A black baseball cap with the blue and green Caltrans "CT" logo. A black shirt with orange lettering that reads: 35th annual Caltrans Workers' Memorial Event April 17, 2025 followed by a small orange Caltrans CT logo. The back of the shirt reads "Everyday heroes" in large organe letters, and is followed by a list of fallen workers in small orange text. A white circular pin with a blue border and the blue and green Caltrans "CT" logo in the center. In the border, white lettering reads, "Improving lives. Saving lives. California department of transportation. A small stress ball shaped like a traffic cone that reads "Slow for the cone zone" in black lettering on the orange of the cone. The pins are $5. The hats are $27 each. The T shirt is $20 for sizes small to extra large. T shirts are also available in 2X and 4X for $25. The shirt design is also available as a long sleeve shirt or a hoodie. The hoodie is $40 for sizes small to extra large, and also available in 2X and 4X for $45. The long sleeved t shirt is $25 for sizes small to extra large, and also available in 2X and 4X for $30.

2025 Caltrans Safety Poster Contest

Caltrans Districts Are Now Accepting Entries! 

All children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of Caltrans employees, 17 years of age and under, can now submit their entries in the 2025 Safety Poster contest. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children of Caltrans families to share their thoughts and creative ideas about the importance of driving safely in or near a work zone and to be part of the department’s lifesaving, educational public outreach campaign.

Contest Guidelines and Rules

Contest Theme: Highway Safety is the poster contest’s theme, so all drawings must include:

• The phrase "Be Work Zone Alert" and/or "Move Over," and
• The Caltrans or CT logo.

Note: Bold and bright colors reproduce best!

Contestant Eligibility
Contestants must be 17 years of age or younger and be a child, grandchild, niece, or nephew of a Caltrans employee.
Four Different Age Categories
• 6 years old and under
• 7 to 10 years old
• 11 to 13 years old
• 14 to 17 years old

 

Poster specifications
Contestants must create their poster artwork on white 8 ½ x 11 paper and then scan the poster to create a high-resolution jpeg file. Bold and/or bright colors reproduce best. No computer-generated or altered artwork will be accepted. Posters can be created using either portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) orientations.

 

Entries 
All submissions will be accepted via email only and shall be sent to the appropriate district liaison (see below). All files must be labeled with the child’s name first, then the title of the document (e.g., Susie Smith, Entry Form, etc.) 
The complete entry package must include:
 
  • A completed Entry Form (attached as a PDF to this email) 
  • A high-resolution scan of the original 8 ½ x 11 drawing/poster 
  • A high-resolution color photograph of the artist with his/her Caltrans relative
  • The email subject line must include:
  1. The term “Poster Contest”
  2. The contestant’s name the name of the contestant
  3. The age category
  4. The employee’s Caltrans District
Note: Contestants must create their posters without any adult assistance.

 

Deadline
Entries must be received no later than Friday, March 14, 2025, by the appropriate district's liaison. Entries received after that date will not be considered.

 

Judging
Artwork will be judged for their creative expression and ability to encourage drivers to slow down and save lives in highway work zones. Posters will advance through two levels. Each district and headquarters will select four posters, one from each age category, as their finalists. A final judging panel will then select the four winning entries from among the districts’ finalists. Posters will be judged on their ability to emphasize the safety theme, their originality, and their use of color.

 

Submission
All contestants must submit their poster entries to their district poster contest liaison that is listed below. Any questions should be directed to the appropriate district liaison.

 

2025 Highway Safety Poster Liaisons


District 1: Rhiannon Montgomery
rhiannon.montgomery@dot.ca.gov

District 2: Christopher Woodward
christopher.woodward@dot.ca.gov

District 3: Stevey Sparks
stevey.sparks@dot.ca.gov

District 4: Vince Jacala
vince.jacala@dot.ca.gov

District 5: Heidi Crawford
heidi.crawford@dot.ca.gov

District 6: Melissa Skulley
melissa.skulley@dot.ca.gov

District 7: Diana Jimenez
diana.jimenez@dot.ca.gov

District 8: Michael Martinez
michael.martinez@dot.ca.gov

District 9: Christopher Andriessen 
christopher.andriessen@dot.ca.gov

District 10: Roland Armstrong
roland.armstrong@dot.ca.gov

District 11: Mana Ghodsian
Mana.Ghodsian@dot.ca.gov

District 12: Robert Johnson
robert.w.johnson@dot.ca.gov

Caltrans HQ: Jay Connerley
jay.connerley@dot.ca.gov

 

Use and Reproduction Rights

Once received, entries and photos become and remain the property of Caltrans and may be used for a variety of purposes with no compensation to the artist or his/her Caltrans relative.

Winning entries, photos, and bios will be included in the Workers Memorial Program and Caltrans “Be Work Zone Alert” website. Winners will also receive a copy of their poster.

Past Memorials

Worker Safety

Caltrans is committed to providing safe and efficient work zones, both for the traveling public and employees working on the state highway system. The Mission, Vision, and Goals, for the Department place safety highest among its commitments.

"Every day, thousands of highway workers put their lives in danger just by going to work and serving the public... Californians can help keep our highways safe by slowing down in the ‘work zone’ and complying with the Move Over law."

Malcolm Dougherty, Former Caltrans Director

The Department's safety goal is to achieve the best safety record in the nation. Help us accomplish this goal by learning more about Worker and Work Zone safety below.

California Move Over Law

California's Move Over Law: “Slow or Move Over for Workers, It’s the Law.” When you see amber flashing lights, move over to protect highway workers.

Be Alert, Our Dad's at Work

Be Work Zone Alert: The children of Caltrans highway workers remind drivers to "stay alert, our parents are at work" and keep our workers safe.

Slow for the Cone Zone

Slow for the Cone Zone: Tips to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.