Turnpike Commission Urges Work-Zone Caution Following Deadly Crash

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is asking travelers to obey laws in work zones and to use caution when traveling through them, especially in light of the recent death of a Turnpike Commission worker.

William McGuigan of Malvern was killed June 1 in a work-zone crash, the Turnpike Commission said. McGuigan was an equipment operator at the Turnpike's Devault Maintenance Facility. He was hit by a tractor-trailer that entered the closed lane in which he was working, about two miles east of the Downingtown Interchange.

“The loss of William McGuigan is a reminder that there are real people working in our construction zones, not just cones and barrels. Just like all of us, these people want to make it home to their families at the end of the day,” Turnpike Commission CEO Mark Compton said. “As a driver in a work zone, our first priority must be to obey the speed limit. Be aware of the presence of workers — it can mean life or death for our employees.” 

“There will be a lot of construction work this year because of our transportation plan, so PennDOT and other roadway workers will be a common sight,” Schoch said. “These are men and women who are working literally inches from passing traffic – it’s a very important, but very dangerous job.” 

McGuigan was the Turnpike Commission's 34th worker fatality since the Turnpike opened in 1940. Since the creation of the state Department of Transportation in 1970, there have been 84 PennDOT employee deaths.

For more on work-zone safety tips and laws, visit www.JustDrivePA.com.