It isn’t always easy to maintain your patience when you’re delayed in traffic because of road or utility work.  But for the safety of the workers doing their job and for your safety too, it’s important to slow down, stay alert and obey all posted signs.

City Crews make sure that Calgary’s infrastructure is efficient, updated and reliable – an important job that puts them at risk every day.

“The work site you’re driving by is our office. Imagine a car speeding through your office. It’s dangerous and I can tell you, it’s an uncomfortable feeling,” says Kelvin Brown, a City of Calgary Water Services employee whose daughter is one of the many young faces featured on mobile signs located at construction zones throughout the city.

According to Troy Mcleod, Manager of Traffic, Roads, the campaign initially ran in 2004/5 to remind drivers of the very human and tragic cost of construction zone incidents. "Our crew members have family just like everyone else, and we want both drivers and workers to get home safely at the end of the day," says McLeod.

The signs feature photos of children and grandchildren of Roads and Water Services employees who work in these high traffic construction zones and read “Please slow down, my dad (or mom or grandpa) works here.”

David Atkinson, Manager of Construction Services with Water Services reminds Calgarians to be patient and pay special attention, not only in marked construction zones, but also wherever crews are present on or near the roadway.

“It could be just one person checking a manhole or marking utilities, or a crew repairing a watermain, but all of our field employees still require a safe workspace. Remember, there are people with families under those hard hats and we all play a part in keeping them safe while they work,” adds Atkinson.