LaTourette said education is a primary objective of all university transportation centers and each center operates under a theme.  After extensive discussions with representatives of the heavy highway construction industry and the Ohio Department of Transportation, a theme was chosen for the center at CSU – “Work Zone Safety.”   

 “Drivers frequently ignore reduced speed limits in construction work zones and often drive in an unsafe manner, endangering themselves and our highway workers,” LaTourette said, adding that in 2004, there were nearly 6,400 work zone crashes in Ohio with 2,250 injuries and 14 deaths.  In 2003, there were more than 7,400 work zone crashes with more than 2,500 injuries and 16 deaths, including two ODOT workers.

 “I’ve been pushing for this center at Cleveland State for several years so it’s great to see it come to fruition,” LaTourette said.  “The only opportunity to add centers is through the highway bill so this really is welcome news for Cleveland State, ODOT and the state of Ohio.”