Several government buildings in the capital city are turning orange this week.

The orange lights in Topeka and elsewhere in Kansas are part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which uses the color orange to raise awareness of work zone safety, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. That included Go Orange Day on April 23, when people are encouraged to wear something orange to show support and appreciation for highway workers.

Gov. Laura Kelly issued a proclamation recognizing the awareness week from April 21-25.

The governor noted that 1,705 crashes happened in work zones in Kansas in 2024, killing eight people and injuring 508. Most happened during daylight hours and without any adverse weather conditions, with inattention as the leading factor.

"Reminding motorists to improve safety in highway work zones by staying alert, turning on headlights, obeying posted speed limits, never changing lanes, expecting the unexpected, minimizing all distractions, and being patient can mean the difference between life and death," Kelly said in the proclamation.

Buildings and bridges elsewhere in the state are also being lit orange, and message signs are being used to promote work zone safety.

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd .