For decades, state departments of transportation (DOTs) have worked to minimize the impact of construction on travelers. This often results in compressed schedules and construction adjacent to live traffic, as full closures are difficult to implement. These conditions place pressure on construction staff, leading to longer work hours and intense demands to meet deadlines. Increasing traffic volumes and aging infrastructure have only intensified the need for accelerated project timelines and continued work near active roadways. These challenges contribute to growing concerns about the mental health of construction workers, especially when factors such as non-standard and long work hours, time away from home, and the safety risk from nearby traffic are considered.

Mental health support efforts in the transportation construction sector have primarily focused on raising awareness of and promoting access to counseling Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). While valuable, these approaches do not fully address the underlying job conditions contributing to mental health challenges. Mental health is not currently considered in the planning and design of work zones and project phasing. In adding mental health as a factor in the design and implementation of work zones or project phasing. There is a need to better understand how work zone conditions affect mental well-being and to develop decision-making tools and strategies that balance worker health, public convenience, and project costs.

The objective of this research is to develop a guide to assist state DOTs in designing and implementing work zones and project phasing scenarios that support the mental health of the construction workforce while also improving work zone safety.

Research findings could help state DOTs and the transportation industry respond to ongoing workforce challenges by positioning transportation construction as a career that values mental health. Potential benefits include improved mental health and safety for the construction workforce, enhanced safety for the traveling public through reduced interaction with work zones, and greater recognition of mental health in design and planning. Sustainable work schedules could make transportation construction more appealing to future workers while encouraging a broader, more balanced approach within state DOT organizational cultures.