JACKSON/JOHNSON COUNTY, MO. - The Missouri Department of Transportation will not only make improvements to enhance traffic operations and increase safety for seven intersections along Route 50, but has partnered with the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) to give engineering students some crucial hands on design experience.

MoDOT has started a $2.5 million project to enhance traffic operations and improve safety to several intersections along Route 50.  They include Harris Road, Buckner Tarsney Road, Route F, Sam Moore Road, Route W/Z, County Road 1601 and Route 131.  Each at-grade intersection will receive smoother, wider pavement, and some will have new turn lanes constructed.

As construction begins, motorists will encounter various lane closures along Route 50 through the end of October.  In addition, some intersections will require short-term closures as crews make the necessary improvements.  Motorists will be sent to the next closest intersection to gain access and bypass the closed location. 

In early 2010, MoDOT partnered with UMKC to give several engineering students an opportunity to receive hands on experience while creating a design to improve traffic operations at these intersections along Route 50.  The students were tasked with the job of using innovative design techniques to find viable solutions to improve these areas.  Through close interaction with MoDOT engineers, the students created a design that met MoDOT's approval and will be constructed along this section of Route 50.              

All work is weather dependent. For further information about this project and others, please visit MoDOT's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/modot.kansascity, Twitter site at www.twitter.com/modot_kc, or web site at www.modot.org/kansascity. You can also contact MoDOT 24 hours-a-day at 888-ASK-MODOT to find out information or report road concerns.

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