MoDOT Kicks Off Biggest Construction Season Ever

The 2006 road construction season will be the biggest ever as MoDOT works around the clock making roads smoother and safer. April 3-9 is National Work Zone Awareness Week and traditionally the start of the construction season. However, because of all the work we have planned, some projects this year began in March. Biggest Construction Season Ever

New Roadside Markers on Missouri Interstate Highways

New roadside markers going up along Missouri interstates will help travelers better determine their exact location and direction of travel. The markers are important emergency response devices, allowing stranded motorists to pinpoint their location for quicker assistance. Mile Markers

Citizens Continue Planning for Missouri’s Transportation Future

MoDOT is hosting another series of regional working groups to discuss statewide needs, transportation trends and conditions, and improvements to Missouri’s transportation policies and strategies. At these public meetings, Missouri citizens are leading the state’s planning process for our future transportation system. Citizens 

MoDOT Provides Alternate Routes for I-44

In March, alternate route signs began lining Interstate 44 in an effort to help manage work zones this construction season. MoDOT does not typically sign alternate routes to the magnitude we will this year, but with 26 projects on I-44, establishing alternate routes will be imperative to keep traffic moving and avoiding delays. I-44 Alternate Routes

Spreading the Word About Work Zone Safety
One of the best places to reach travelers with highway safety messages is in their cars. That’s why MoDOT created radio spots that emphasize work zone safety and encourage motorists to Drive Smart and Arrive Alive. The public service announcements, which are running on radio stations throughout Missouri, began this month and will continue through September. Work Zone Safety

Changeable Message Boards Out in Force
This summer, motorists will be seeing more changeable message boards than ever before, especially on interstates 44 and 70. MoDOT contracts with a company to provide communications to signs along the I-44 corridor using a Web site to control the signs and change messages. The I-70 signs are controlled through digital modems that allow us to dial up the signs instead of having to go through a Web site. Changeable Message Boards

ARAN:  A Diamond in the Rough

MoDOT’s Automatic Road Analyzer (ARAN) van is a useful tool in collecting data on Missouri’s roads. Driving down the road, the ARAN can determine the smoothness of the pavement, the rutting of the pavement, if applicable, and the geometry of the road. ARAN vans have been in use in Missouri since 1988. ARAN

McKenna Becomes Chairman of Highways and Transportation Commission

Bill McKenna of Crystal City recently began a one-year term as chairman of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. He was previously vice-chair. He replaces Marge Schramm of Kirkwood, who became vice-chair. New Commission Chairman

Lieutenant Governor Honors Team Spirit Youth

Team Spirit is a statewide program, sponsored by MoDOT's Highway Safety Division, that is committed to developing natural leadership skills in teens. The program challenges students to explore knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to driving habits among their peers. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will recognize their contributions in Jefferson City on March 27 and 28 by presenting each team with a proclamation for their efforts in promoting safe habits among the youth in their communities. Youth Honored

Map Gives Road Conditions 24/7

When bad weather is forecast, it’s important to know there’s a place you can go any time day or night to find out major road conditions throughout the state. MoDOT's Web site, www.modot.org, offers a map that shows general road conditions on the state’s major highways. The map, which is updated every 30 minutes during winter storms, will tell you whether a road is dry, wet, partly covered, covered or closed.  Motorists can zoom in for details on routes in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. Road Conditions