KANSAS CITY – The Missouri Department of Transportation kicks off National Work Zone Awareness Week beginning April 3-7. The department hopes that this weeklong event will shed a light on what MoDOT workers do and encourage safe driving habits through work zones to make sure everyone gets home safely. Additionally, MoDOT will host its annual Big Truck Night from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 3, at the District Office located in Lee’s Summit, MO. We encourage all media to wear orange to help us kick-off Work Zone Awareness Week and use the hashtag #orangeforsafety.
Driver inattention was the number one cause of work zone crashes last year. According to the Kansas City District Construction and Materials Engineer Brian Burger there are several major work zones this summer that will impact travelers. Understanding where work zones will be and how to travel safely through them is essential to keeping the community safe.
“Expect to see a lot of cones this summer,” Burger explains. “Slow down and pay attention while driving through work zones. Eliminate any distractions while traveling.” Some of the major work zones motorists can expect include:
- MoDOT will continue to widen Route 45 to four lanes from I-435 to Route K.This project will last through November.
- This project will provide three continuous driving lanes in each direction on I-435 throughout the interchange. Work is currently in progress.
- Crews will reconstruct the I-49 and 155th Street interchange to replace the bridge over I-49 and better accommodate the growing area. The project began last month.
- The Route 291 Interchange at US 50 is currently over capacity and requires significant maintenance, including bridge replacement. This project will ease congestion, enhance safety and accommodate future growth. Construction will begin in April.
For a list of all projects scheduled in the metro this year, please review our Roadwork page on our website.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.
For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter, or share posts and comments on our Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoDOT.KansasCity. MoDOT Kansas City maintains more than 7,000 miles of state roadway in nine counties. Sign up online for work zone updates or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).