Every morning, before the sun even appears, I am already up, putting on my boots and pulling on my bright yellow reflective safety T-shirt. It's more than just part of the uniform—it's my protection. It's what makes me visible out there on the side of the road, surrounded by cars flying by at 70 miles an hour.
Morning Routine: Get to your destination quickly, without getting stuck in traffic.
By 6:00 a.m., I'm at the yard with the rest of the crew. We grab coffee, load the trucks, and check the day's assignments. Pothole repair? Do you need to replace the guardrail? Do you need help cleaning up after a storm? Our jobs change depending on what the road needs.
But one thing never changes: the shirt. The bright, high-vis fabric and silver reflective striping must stay. Here, being able to see is important for survival.
Hitting the Road
By 7:00 a.m., we're parked on the side of a busy motorway. Cones are out. Signs are up. I'm walking along the white line, with cars rushing by just feet away.
That's when the shirt really does its job. I know drivers spot me sooner because of it. I can feel them move over a lane or slow down a bit. The light that bounces off headlights during early hours or cloudy days — it gives us a chance. If you can see where you're going for just a moment, you can avoid an accident.
The Work Itself
Maintaining roads is a difficult job. We can handle the heat, the cold, the rain and whatever else the weather throws at us. Some days it's very hot and sunny; other days it's very cold and snowy.
It's a physical thing. It's gritty. But it's honest work, and I take pride in keeping these roads safe and running.
Even on the hardest days, I look around and see my colleagues – all of us wearing reflective T-shirts – and I feel like I'm part of something bigger. We're a team. One that you can see. That shirt shows that he is responsible. It tells people: "Hey, we're here working for you. Take it easy. Give us space. Let us get home too."
This is a guide to help you stay cool and concentrate during the middle of the day.
By midday, the sun is usually very strong. The shirt is soaked in sweat, but that's because it's designed for this—it wicks away moisture, lets your skin breathe, and is really light. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It helps me focus on what's important: staying alert, staying safe and staying focused.
This is the end of the information.
By 3 or 4 p.m., we're packing up. Another shift done. Another section of road is now slightly safer. My shirt is stained and dusty, but it did the job. It helped me get home safely.
I put it in the washing machine and get ready to do it all over again tomorrow.
Some people wear suits to work. I wear steel toes, gloves, and a reflective T-shirt. I wear it with pride. Here, that shirt isn't just clothing—it's a life-saver, a signal, and a symbol of the work we do to keep America moving.
So next time you see that bright neon sign on the side of the highway, wave or slow down. We're trying to get home too.