Last week in San Antonio, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) turned fantasy into a hands-on experience for children with its "Touch A Truck" event. Kids had the chance to not just gaze at, but to actually climb into the seats of the very machines that are a driving force behind the I-35 NEX construction project. According to a TxDOT report, more than 20 stations were set up, turning bulldozers, excavators, concrete mixers, and dump trucks into interactive exhibits.
Charles Benavidez, lead TxDOT engineer in San Antonio, explained the importance of the event, saying, "This was a great way to show the next generation how we build roads and what goes into it." He also emphasized safety, stating, "It was also a great way to show how important safety is when it comes to working on roads," as reported by the TxDOT.
More than 300 visitors showed up to the three-hour event that offered an opportunity to learn more about the massive I-35 NEX project. TxDOT staff were on hand to discuss the equipment and materials needed in the construction of highways and elevated lanes, as attendees explored, interacted, and captured moments with the giant machines. In a gesture underlining the theme of safety, TxDOT handed out free safety vests to the first 100 children and 100 adults who attended.
The event was particularly timely, dovetailing with National Work Zone Awareness Week, observed from April 21-25, 2025. It serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards faced by road workers, as recent TxDOT data reports nearly 28,000 traffic crashes in work zones across Texas during 2024, with 215 fatalities and another 825 suffering serious injuries. Notably, a staggering 81% of the fatalities were drivers and passengers. TxDOT calls on motorists to always make driving safely their priority, especially in active work zones, where speeding and driver inattention contribute significantly to accidents.
