With temperatures breaking records and excessive heat warnings in effect for multiple days, construction and maintenance crews with the Arizona Department of Transportation are taking action to keep workers safe, while also keeping projects on schedule.
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In a press release, ADOT said before construction crews even arrive on site, more than 1,500 South Mountain Freeway workers completed mandatory heat-stress training classes.
"That training includes arranging for immediate medical attention if someone appears to be succumbing to the effects of the heat," the release stated.
Besides the training, when workers arrive on-site, they have tents and shade, take breaks and try to get work done before or after the hottest portions of the day.
"For the South Mountain Freeway project, crews with Connect 202 Partners, the developer responsible for building the 22-mile-long freeway, are taking breaks in designated cool-down areas including shade tents, awnings and air-conditioned vehicles," ADOT said.
ADOT explained that the extreme weather is even more dangerous for their teams because asphalt and concrete temperatures rise even higher than air temperatures.
