All work by the Minnesota Department of Transportation was paused Monday to honor two construction contractors killed last week and to focus on improving safety in work zones, authorities said.

Along with honoring the two workers — killed within 24 hours of one another in Twin Cities construction zones — the first-ever statewide safety stand-down day included discussions and sharing of experiences to help workers improve safety.

“I am deeply saddened and concerned by the recent tragic incidents that took the lives of two contractors working to improve Minnesota roads. Today, MnDOT staff took an unprecedented step to pause work and honor the lives of these two men and to recommit and focus on the safety of every person who works for and with our agency,” MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenber

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