DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — As temperatures continue rising as summer marches on, laborers who work outdoors have to manage the sometimes oppressive temperatures. 

Wednesday afternoon brought temps hovering just below 100 degrees. However, construction crews across the city could be seen working from the early hours in the morning to the late afternoon.

"It's pretty brutal," said Ryan Sheley, the resident engineer on the Reas Bridge project. But, the heat did not put a stop to construction. "We just keep chugging along, and try to be careful," he continued.

Sheley explained that the crew he works with usually clocks eight hours on hot days compared to their usual 12-hour shifts. Additionally, the crew sometimes comes in hours earlier to try to beat the heat. 

Sheley also said that the crews take breaks when needed, making sure to stay extra hydrated and keeping an eye on each other. 

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