With an Excessive Heat Warning in place for all of North Texas through Thursday, and a Heat Advisory issued for the rest of the state, construction crews are taking extra safety precautions to cope with heat indexes that could reach 110 degrees or more.
The National Weather Service says the heat index could reach 115 degrees in Dallas-Fort Worth through Thursday evening.
Crews working on the $1.6 billion reconstruction of freeways in southeast Tarrant County do not have the option to stay inside. The project will rebuild several miles of highway around the interchanges of Interstate 20, Interstate Loop 820, and U.S. Highway 287.
"When we get up into that dangerous level of that 105 heat index, we want to take extra precautions whether that's mandatory breaks, getting people into the shade, or just having rotations," said Jay Proskovec of the Southeast Connector Project.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says 42 people have died from heat-related issues while working since 2011, the highest number in the country. Texas does not have state standards for people who work outdoors, and a bill passed in Austin this year would bar cities from passing local rules requiring precautions like water breaks.
Along Loop 820, though, Proskovec said crews working on the Southeast Connector go through education to prevent heat-related illness.
"This multi-layered program starts with education, making sure everyone knows how to hydrate properly," he said. "It's not just about hydrating during the day, but what you consume at night will set you up for the next day."
During training, Proskovec said employees learn how to spot the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in other people while they are working alongside each other.
"They just might recognize maybe they're getting pale, talking funny or getting confused and then just having that ability to stop work and say, 'Hey, we need to get you out of the sun,'" he said.
He said supervisors use the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool to calculate the heat index and see the potential risk.
Proskovec said crews will also shift work to nighttime when possible. He said that can help employees avoid heat exhaustion but also reduce lane closures during the busiest travel times.
"Of course, it's helpful because of the temperatures, but it's also less of an impact on the traveling public," he said.
While Proskovec said the company is taking steps to protect workers, he said drivers can also help regardless of the weather. Construction in the area is expected to continue into 2027. As crews make progress, ramps and lanes could shift, so drivers should expect the layout to change, and Proskovec urged people to pay attention to signs.
"We're still going to be working here. Please, slow down in the workzone. We do have the 55-mile-an-hour signs posted. I'm not sure everyone's seeing them," he said. "Please be mindful, give us a break. Slow your roll, as we like to say."
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