The University of Texas at Arlington's Public Works Institute in the Division of Enterprise Development received a $486,234 Texas Department of Transportation contract to train city and county work crews on working in traffic safety zones.

Institute Director Bryan Sims said work zone safety is crucial in Texas with the number of miles of roads that exist in the Lone Star State.

" These training courses will lead to safer work zones in Texas," Sims said. " Our focus will be to work with city and county departments that are in the road, traffic, water, sewer and telecommunications areas."

Ashley Mathews, newly hired deputy director of the Public Works Institute, said the newly funded courses also would benefit private companies whose employees need the training.

" As Texas continues to grow, it's imperative that those tasked with building and managing our aging, public infrastructure have the information needed to make safe and responsible decisions, Mathews said.

In addition to the five road and traffic safety training courses offered to local governments for free and at their convenience, the Public Works Institute also provides courses on workplace safety.

The five new courses include planning work zone traffic control, work zone construction site safety, work zone traffic control/qualified flagger, installation and maintenance of signs and pavement markings, update and work zone refresher and best practices for traffic incident first responders.