ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Bagpiper James Ruhf’s grief-evoking rendition of “Amazing Grace” had concluded.
But except for the rush of midday traffic along North Cedar Crest Boulevard, silence ruled the moment.
Dennis J. McArdle squinted and gazed at the PennDOT Workers’ Memorial at the PennDOT Lehigh County Cedar Crest Stockpile on Thursday.
Ninety individual white crosses were displayed in perfectly straight rows, reminiscent of the World War II cemetery in Normandy, France.
“We know that everybody's busy and has a lot going on. But you can't bring a life back."Christa Newmaster, bureau director, PennDOT Highway Administration
Each cross was covered by a hardhat and an orange-and-yellow reflective vest — each representing a worker who died while on the job since 1970.
White hard hats represent the foremen while orange hard hats represent the various workers.
Raphael Rivera, of Northampton County, is the only worker memorialized from the Lehigh Valley.
Rivera was killed on Sept. 7, 2000. A bridge along Route 512, South of Route 22, in Bethlehem will be renamed in his honor in the coming weeks, officials said.
Math is misleading
The math — 90 — is grossly misleading.
“All they just wanted to do at the end of the day is go home to their families,” said McArdle, safety specialist manager for PennDOT Highway Administration.
“It’s traumatic not only for the families, but also for our employees. Because of the amount of hours that the individuals work together, we’re like a second family. It’s tough.”
“Each one of them had family members who were affected. The impact is so much more than just 90.”Dennis J. McArdle, safety specialist manager for PennDOT Highway Administration
The birthdays and holidays with an empty chair at the table. Daughters wishing it was dad walking her down the aisle. Vacations with coworkers.
Special days and moments stolen, mostly by motorists whose reckless decisions behind the wheel ended lives far too soon.
“Each one of them had family members who were affected,” McArdle said. “The impact is so much more than just 90.”
Memorials have been erected throughout the state to pay tribute to those employees. The Allentown memorial will be displayed through Friday.
The Goodwill Fire Company No. 1 of Trexlertown displayed a large American flag off an aerial ladder that hung over the memorial.
'Lives are changed forever'
There were no speeches. The memorial spoke for itself. Loudly. Silently.
“We use this memorial to remember the workers, but also as a reminder to people to just take their time, slow down,” PennDOT Highway Administration Bureau Director Christa Newmaster said.
“We know that everybody's busy and has a lot going on. But you can't bring a life back. The families have lost a piece of their lives. Their lives are changed forever.”
Listed are some tips to help keep PennDOT workers safe:
- Drive the posted work zone speed limit
- Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers
- Turn on your headlights if signs instruct you to do so
- Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Don't tailgate
- Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly
- Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road
- Always buckle up
- Expect the unexpected
- Be patient
