LEES SUMMIT – Kansas City region drivers should expect to see more highway work zones across the area as construction and maintenance season kicks off, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Motorists are urged to make smart, safe driving choices behind the wheel as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 26-30. In the Kansas City nine-county region, visit https://www.modot.org/kansas-city-roadwork-county to see all the current construction projects on a map and by county.
In 2020, MoDOT protective vehicles with truck/trailer-mounted attenuators were struck an unprecedented 48 times. Since 2018, TMA crashes have resulted in 32 injuries and one fatality. These crashes are almost always the result of a driver not paying attention and/or driving too fast for conditions.
It’s not just construction crews in work zones though. “Motorists can expect to see more MoDOT maintenance work zones this spring as crews are continuing to repair potholes and perform other road work,” said MoDOT Kansas City District Maintenance Engineer Lynelle Luther. “Some of the work will be a stationary work zones, such as bridge repairs, but other work zones will be slow-moving operations such as pothole patching, striping or sweeping.”
“We need drivers to work with us,” said State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood. “Last year, 27 lives were lost in work zone crashes. It’s on all of us to step up and make smart choices behind the wheel.”
Drivers can help protect themselves and those working along the highways by buckling up and putting their phones down. In 2020, 74 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities in work zones were not wearing a seat belt. Distracted driving remains a leading contributor to work zone crashes.
Speeding is also a growing concern in work zones. MoDOT is partnering with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for ‘OPERATION PROTECT’ to actively enforce speed limits in some of the state’s top work zones throughout the construction season.
To help make your travel safer, visit MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at www.traveler.modot.org and find out what work zones you’ll encounter before you go. For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at www.modot.org/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).
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Editor’s Note: MoDOT is asking all media to wear orange on Monday, April 26, to show support for the safety of all highway workers and motorists in work zones.