• Editor’s Note: In recognition of National Work Zone Awareness Week and in memory of Kane County Division of Transportation worker Steve Chidester, KDOT and Kane County Connects is posting a series of articles this week to promote work zone safety and to show respect and remembrance for the families of victims who have lost their lives in work zones across the country.

KDOT Safety Coordinator Jay Seyller, Sheriff Don Kramer and County Engineer Carl Schoedel hang “Work Zone Safety” posters in preparation for National Work Zone Awareness Week. (CREDIT: KDOT)

As you travel Kane County roads this weekend, look for the signs reminding drivers to be aware of work zones and take a moment to remember Steve Chidester, the Kane County Division of Transportation worker who lost his life last year when he was hit by a car on Harter Road.

“Safety is in Your Hands” is the overarching message. Slow down, be alert and be respectful of the people who are working to make our roads a little smoother, a little safer and a little more efficient.

“Work zone safety awareness is important for protecting both the workers and the motorists in a work zone,” said Carl Schoedel, Kane County engineer and KDOT director. “Work zone safety is in our hands, and we need to keep in mind that amid the sea of orange cones, flashing lights and directional signs are our families, our friends and our neighbors.”

Drivers will see message boards along county highways this week (April 3 to April 6) as part of the National Work Zone Awareness Week campaign reminding drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

In the north part of Kane County, message boards will appear at various times on Kirk Road north of Foxfield, on Plank Road east of Burlington, on Silver Glen Road west of Burr Road, on Bowes Road near the Reserve, at the KDOT headquarters on Burlington Road and on five Randall Road locations — north of Red Gate, south of Corporate Drive, near the center median south of I-90, and north of the Farm and Fleet.

In the south part of Kane County, message boards will be placed on Orchard Road west of Randall, on Main Street in Batavia east of Fabyan Parkway, at two locations on Kirk Road (north of Mesa and south of IL Route 64), two locations on Randall Road (north of Mooseheart Road and south of IL Route 38) and three locations on Fabyan Parkway (west of Kirk Road, west of Western Avenue and west of Viking Drive).

But the roadside reminders aren’t the only things KDOT is doing to promote work zone safety this week.

On Saturday, KDOT volunteers and friends conducted a clean-up along Harter Road in the area where Chidester died. The cleanup is part of an ongoing commitment through the county’s Adopt-A-Highway program.

On Wednesday, KDOT employees will “GO Orange” that day along with roadway safety professionals across the country to show their support of work zone safety and to show respect and remembrance for the families of victims who have lost their lives in work zones.

In June, the traveling National Work Zone Memorial, dedicated to those who have lost their lives in roadway work zones, will be displayed in the auditorium of the county’s Government Center in Geneva. The memorial honors those who died in work zones, including work zone workers, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics, adults and children.

Read the ‘Remembering Steve’ Work Zone Safety Series

• Friday — KDOT’s April 1 Road Cleanup Has Deeper Meaning
• Today — What KDOT Is Doing to Improve Work Zone Safety
• Tuesday — ‘Remember Steve’ by Wearing Orange Wednesday
• Wednesday —  What Kane Drivers Can Do to Make Zero Fatalities a Reality
• Thursday —  Remembering Steve: Let’s Bring National Work Zone Memorial to Kane County