Caltrans will honor 194 employees who have died on the job since 1921 at the 35th annual Workers Memorial.

Hosted for the first time in West Sacramento, the ceremony pays tribute to the dedicated public servants who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep others safe on the California state highway system as well as recognizing their families, friends and colleagues.

The event is also a solemn reminder to motorists about the importance of safe and attentive driving when traveling through highway work zones, as a moment of safety can prevent a moment of silence.

There will be a memorial display featuring 194 traffic cones, each draped with a black ribbon bearing the name of a fallen worker and configured in the shape of a diamond. The tribute is symbolic of a highway caution sign. Two black cones at the center of this formation signify all workers lost on the state highway system, including private contractors and CHP officers, and one for Rodish, the most recent Caltrans employee killed on the job.

Tragically, the number of Caltrans workers who have lost their lives in service to the State increased by one since the 34th memorial last year. Alexander Rodish (Roe-dish) was killed on July 22, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle while working on Interstate 5 in San Clemente.

Highway construction and maintenance work is one of the most perilous occupations in the nation. In 2021, more than 9,500 work zone collisions occurred on California highways, resulting in an estimated 2,971 injuries and 73 fatalities.

Folks expected at the event include:

Walt Gray — ABC-10 Sacramento News Anchor (event emcee).

Tony Tavares — Caltrans Director

Lisa Rodish — twin sister of fallen worker Alexander Rodish

Steve Lee — President, Professional Engineers of California Government

Marnie Primmer — California Transportation Foundation (CTF) Executive Director

The memorial event is slated for 11 a.m. on April 17 at River Walk Park, located at 651 2nd St. in West Sacramento.