SYRACUSE – A new memorial honoring New York’s fallen highway workers was unveiled Sunday during the “Great New York State Fair.”
Governor Kathy Hochul joined several other officials in opening the memorial, which honors all transportation workers killed while performing their job duties on or near New York’s thousands of miles of highways.
The new memorial includes a centerpiece featuring a bronze sculpture of shovels, hard hats and boots on a platform surrounded by four bronze traffic cones and a dedication plaque.
It features paved walkways and seating for respectful reflection.
“This memorial honors the hardworking New Yorkers who put their personal safety on the line to build our bridges, pave our roads and maintain our infrastructure so the rest of us can reach our destinations safely,” Governor Hochul said. “This will serve as a lasting tribute to all those who lost their lives while performing their duties, and as a reminder that these dedicated workers are out there every day making our roads and bridges safer. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.”
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2003 to 2017, more than 1,800 workers lost their lives at road construction sites across the United States, averaging 123 per year.
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