On Tuesday, April 8, Southwest District Engineer Becky Baltz, MoDOT Chief
Engineer Ed Hassinger and Highway Patrol Lieutenant Dan Bracker gathered in
Springfield to talk to reporters about work zone awareness at MoDOT's statewide
news conference.
Baltz opened the press conference by thanking MoDOT's
partners and all the highway workers represented. In addition to MoDOT and the
highway patrol, local public works departments, emergency response, and law
enforcement were on hand to support the cause. She asked that motorists watch
out for everyone who helps keep Missouri moving, so everyone can go home safely
each night.
Ed Hassinger and Lt. Bracker took the opportunity to talk
about Missouri's "Move Over Law". The law requires motorists to move over one
lane and give extra room whenever they see emergency or roadwork vehicles on the
side of the road with flashing lights on.
"The law is simple," Hassinger
said. "If you see a vehicle with flashing lights on, move over and give some
room. If you can't move over, you are required to slow down and proceed
cautiously past the vehicles and workers."
Lt. Bracker said that in 2013,
the Missouri State Highway Patrol spent almost 1,800 hours on construction work
zone enforcement operations. They made 569 arrests and issued 637 warnings.
"The Missouri state Highway Patrol is committed to providing the safest possible highway transportation system for everyone who uses our highways,
builds our highways and maintains our highways," said Bracker. "We will continue
to make work zone enforcement one of our top priorities throughout the
year."
Hassinger also discussed the future of transportation and how lack
of transportation funding will change Missouri's work zones.
"MoDOT's
focus is increasingly on preservation of the existing transportation system," he
said. "By 2017 our budget will fall well under what it takes to maintain what
we've got, and that could lead to the deterioration of highways across the
state."
Regardless of the work taking place, the most important message
of the day was safety. When motorists pay attention and drive with caution
through work zones, that means fewer crashes, fewer fatalities, and fewer
injuries. Drivers play a key role in making work zones safe for everyone -
especially themselves.
Showing posts with label work zone awareness week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work zone awareness week. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Work Zone Safety - From a Widow's Perspective
A plea - from the wife of Dennis Beard, who was killed in an Illinois work zone in 2012. Let her words sound in your ears any time you see construction or flashing yellow lights.
This (click to see photos) is my husband, Dennis. The most important part of his life was his family and friends. Second was his work. Dennis was very passionate about his work, the people who worked for him, and their safety and well being. On May 22nd Dennis, his nephews Kory Links and Adam Evans, and his friend Brian Moore were all struck by a vehicle while doing their jobs. Dennis was killed by this driver whom was driving dangerously and erratically at a high rate of speed in a construction zone. Dennis was not killed instantly, but lived a very short while, alert and thinking he was going to survive. Because of one person's negligence, Dennis' precious life was taken from us and the lives of his family have been changed forever.
I cannot explain the devastation this has caused our family. We lost our dear Dennis - a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a great-uncle, a cousin, and a friend to many, many people. If you just try to imagine what it would be like to have to come home and tell your children who walk in the door smiling that their dad was just killed at work - you would think about how IMPORTANT it is to pay attention and slow down in work zones. Our family will never be the same because of the constant pain we feel and the huge hole we now have in our family and hearts.
Please let me tell you a little bit about Dennis. Most importantly, Dennis was not ready to leave this earth. He had many things left unfinished. He has three children - Tessa age 12, James 8, and Alayna 4. He just recently involved his children and nephews in go-kart racing. Dennis spent every waking hour outside of work working on the go-karts for the next following week’s race. He loved the outdoors and wanted his kids to love it too. He took them boating, camping, hunting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, racing, and most recently they began fishing together. Dennis had a big heart and was always very giving to everyone he knew and met.
The single most important thing that you can do for our family and other families who have loved ones working on the roads is to be patient, pay attention, and slow down in construction zones. Everyone wants their loved ones to return home every single day from work. My husband left for work and was gone from this earth three hours later. We didn’t even have a chance to say good bye.
Sincerely,
Josie Beard
See pictures of Dennis, Josie and their family here.
This (click to see photos) is my husband, Dennis. The most important part of his life was his family and friends. Second was his work. Dennis was very passionate about his work, the people who worked for him, and their safety and well being. On May 22nd Dennis, his nephews Kory Links and Adam Evans, and his friend Brian Moore were all struck by a vehicle while doing their jobs. Dennis was killed by this driver whom was driving dangerously and erratically at a high rate of speed in a construction zone. Dennis was not killed instantly, but lived a very short while, alert and thinking he was going to survive. Because of one person's negligence, Dennis' precious life was taken from us and the lives of his family have been changed forever.
I cannot explain the devastation this has caused our family. We lost our dear Dennis - a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a great-uncle, a cousin, and a friend to many, many people. If you just try to imagine what it would be like to have to come home and tell your children who walk in the door smiling that their dad was just killed at work - you would think about how IMPORTANT it is to pay attention and slow down in work zones. Our family will never be the same because of the constant pain we feel and the huge hole we now have in our family and hearts.
Please let me tell you a little bit about Dennis. Most importantly, Dennis was not ready to leave this earth. He had many things left unfinished. He has three children - Tessa age 12, James 8, and Alayna 4. He just recently involved his children and nephews in go-kart racing. Dennis spent every waking hour outside of work working on the go-karts for the next following week’s race. He loved the outdoors and wanted his kids to love it too. He took them boating, camping, hunting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, racing, and most recently they began fishing together. Dennis had a big heart and was always very giving to everyone he knew and met.
The single most important thing that you can do for our family and other families who have loved ones working on the roads is to be patient, pay attention, and slow down in construction zones. Everyone wants their loved ones to return home every single day from work. My husband left for work and was gone from this earth three hours later. We didn’t even have a chance to say good bye.
Sincerely,
Josie Beard
See pictures of Dennis, Josie and their family here.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Work Zone Safety - Why It's a Big Deal
April 15-19 is Work Zone Awareness Week for 2013.
We tend to think EVERY week is Work Zone Awareness Week at MoDOT. Just like everyone else, we want to get home safe at the end of our workday. We'll do whatever it takes to help make that happen.
In our work, we see too many times what happens when someone behaves in an unsafe manner. We've been called to thousands of crash scenes to help direct traffic while emergency crews and law enforcement assist injured motorists.
We've been the first to respond when a car or truck slams into one of our dump trucks. We've called 911 or *55 when an inattentive driver plows into the back of someone observing a slower work zone speed limit. We've held the hands of our dying coworkers and promised to relay their messages of love to their spouses and families.
That's why it's a big deal.
Now that you know the impact of unsafe behavior, we hope you make safe driving in work zones - and everywhere else - a big deal.
We tend to think EVERY week is Work Zone Awareness Week at MoDOT. Just like everyone else, we want to get home safe at the end of our workday. We'll do whatever it takes to help make that happen.
In our work, we see too many times what happens when someone behaves in an unsafe manner. We've been called to thousands of crash scenes to help direct traffic while emergency crews and law enforcement assist injured motorists.We've been the first to respond when a car or truck slams into one of our dump trucks. We've called 911 or *55 when an inattentive driver plows into the back of someone observing a slower work zone speed limit. We've held the hands of our dying coworkers and promised to relay their messages of love to their spouses and families.
That's why it's a big deal.
Now that you know the impact of unsafe behavior, we hope you make safe driving in work zones - and everywhere else - a big deal.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Work Zone Awareness Week - Don't Barrel Through Work Zones
It is Work Zone Awareness Week.
You'll likely see news stories and hear messages about watching your speed, paying special attention and taking extra care when you see orange.
Work zones were on my mind as I traveled several hundred Missouri miles this week. What I saw was good!
When approaching a zone, I saw that motorists adjusted their speed, left room between them and the car in front of them and I didn't see a texter or cell phone using driver.
Impressive!
Still, a St. Louis area motorist died Friday when another motorist struck his car in a work zone, causing him to leave the road and overturn.
It only takes a split-second for a smooth trip to turn into a tragedy. And there are lots of close calls - as this video attests: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtSztiB4se8
For your safety and the safety of my coworkers, please ramp up your vigilance when traveling in a work zone and be sure to buckle up.
You'll likely see news stories and hear messages about watching your speed, paying special attention and taking extra care when you see orange.
Work zones were on my mind as I traveled several hundred Missouri miles this week. What I saw was good!
When approaching a zone, I saw that motorists adjusted their speed, left room between them and the car in front of them and I didn't see a texter or cell phone using driver.
Impressive!
Still, a St. Louis area motorist died Friday when another motorist struck his car in a work zone, causing him to leave the road and overturn.
It only takes a split-second for a smooth trip to turn into a tragedy. And there are lots of close calls - as this video attests: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtSztiB4se8
For your safety and the safety of my coworkers, please ramp up your vigilance when traveling in a work zone and be sure to buckle up.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Work Zone Safety - A Testimony
As work zone awareness week comes to a close, David Bower, a MoDOT employee in the Kansas City district, shares his story of why work zone safety is personal. While National Work Zone Awareness Week ends today, we'll be working throughout the construction season to raise awareness of safe driving through work zones. Look for more information at www.modot.org/workzones.
Traumatic events typically get lodged into the memories of individuals. Looking back to the events of an otherwise normal weekday in August 1996, they remain ever-present today.
The passage of this day was typical, nothing extra ordinary until late in the day when the stadium maintenance crew began taking down their work zone. For those who are unaware, work zone setup and take-down is often the most critical and highest-risk part of an operation. This is something I experienced firsthand having worked as a maintenance worker in overhead signing. There is an initial unfamiliarity of lane transitions for drivers, not to mention the congestion that occurs when drivers adjust to these changes.
Today was different though. With a promotion to an office position in Maintenance Operations, the responsibilities of two-way radio dispatch came with it. A new job classification meant there was very little to do except to communicate to others.
The call came over the radio, “We’ve been hit! We’ve been hit!”
From the district office my response was “MoDOT4, go ahead.”
The caller responded, “They’ve hit the light trailer, we have men down!”
The urgency of the voice was present --it had to be bad and we needed to get more details.
My response was, “I need you to take a deep breath and answer my questions."
Meanwhile, several other employees entered the radio work area, ready to offer their support, assisting wherever needed. Turning to another employee, I asked them to get a 911 dispatcher on the phone. The finite details: route, cross street, direction of travel, number of injured employees, whatever we could relay to emergency services was given. The events seemed lengthy at that time; however in reality, were only a few short minutes.
In that time the smoothness of coordination was exceptional. Field operations were communicating with the district office and we were relaying to emergency services. Operations management and staff automatically mobilized and took to the field. We had part of our MoDOT family in need and everyone was answering the request for assistance.
In a nutshell, this is what had happened. While MoDOT employees were taking down the work zone, a motorist had collided with the arrow-board-style light trailer, which Raymond McKelvy and Jorge Bermudez were connecting to the back of their truck.
It wasn’t until everything was finished that the accident really hit home. You see, when I hired in, I worked on the stadium campus and knew Raymond and Jorge personally. These were friends, coworkers, employees with families.
We know smaller traumatic events don’t always garner media attention. They don’t burn into the minds of the masses. Perhaps they should, perhaps the reality of potential fatal situations in highway work zones should be a call to our driving public, to slow down and draw cautionary attention. The reality is … it seldom does.
I remember where I was during the first and second space shuttle catastrophes. I remember where I was when the twin towers fell. I will remember the details of that day in August 1996.
The passage of this day was typical, nothing extra ordinary until late in the day when the stadium maintenance crew began taking down their work zone. For those who are unaware, work zone setup and take-down is often the most critical and highest-risk part of an operation. This is something I experienced firsthand having worked as a maintenance worker in overhead signing. There is an initial unfamiliarity of lane transitions for drivers, not to mention the congestion that occurs when drivers adjust to these changes.
Today was different though. With a promotion to an office position in Maintenance Operations, the responsibilities of two-way radio dispatch came with it. A new job classification meant there was very little to do except to communicate to others.
The call came over the radio, “We’ve been hit! We’ve been hit!”
From the district office my response was “MoDOT4, go ahead.”
The caller responded, “They’ve hit the light trailer, we have men down!”
The urgency of the voice was present --it had to be bad and we needed to get more details.
My response was, “I need you to take a deep breath and answer my questions."
Meanwhile, several other employees entered the radio work area, ready to offer their support, assisting wherever needed. Turning to another employee, I asked them to get a 911 dispatcher on the phone. The finite details: route, cross street, direction of travel, number of injured employees, whatever we could relay to emergency services was given. The events seemed lengthy at that time; however in reality, were only a few short minutes.
In that time the smoothness of coordination was exceptional. Field operations were communicating with the district office and we were relaying to emergency services. Operations management and staff automatically mobilized and took to the field. We had part of our MoDOT family in need and everyone was answering the request for assistance.
In a nutshell, this is what had happened. While MoDOT employees were taking down the work zone, a motorist had collided with the arrow-board-style light trailer, which Raymond McKelvy and Jorge Bermudez were connecting to the back of their truck.
It wasn’t until everything was finished that the accident really hit home. You see, when I hired in, I worked on the stadium campus and knew Raymond and Jorge personally. These were friends, coworkers, employees with families.
We know smaller traumatic events don’t always garner media attention. They don’t burn into the minds of the masses. Perhaps they should, perhaps the reality of potential fatal situations in highway work zones should be a call to our driving public, to slow down and draw cautionary attention. The reality is … it seldom does.
I remember where I was during the first and second space shuttle catastrophes. I remember where I was when the twin towers fell. I will remember the details of that day in August 1996.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Work Zone Survey Brings Public Into the Solution
You are MoDOT’s customers. You are the ones who fund our roads and bridges. You are the ones who drive through our work zones every day. You are the people we serve. And we need your feedback.
Work zones are a fact of life. Whether we’re building a new bridge or filling a new pot hole, MoDOT is going to be on the road improving and maintaining Missouri’s infrastructure throughout the summer. And we want to make the experience as smooth and safe as possible.
Yes, there will be delays. Yes, some drivers will be irritated with them. But we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to minimize both those realities.
That’s where you come in. On the homepage of our website at www.modot.org, you’ll see a button at the bottom of the page that takes you to our Work Zone Survey. (You can also go directly to the survey at http://www.modot.mo.gov/workzones/Comments.htm)
There, you can fill a short survey about your experience driving though MoDOT work zones that we will use to monitor and improve them.MoDOT reviews all the surveys we receive. We take them very seriously. There is even an option for us to contact you if you want us to.
You can help us improve our work zones by participating in the process. We know if a work zone meets your expectations, we’re doing something right. If it doesn’t, we may need to try something else.
One more thing: Don’t fill out the form on your cell phone while you’re driving! Wait until you’re home or parked safely somewhere. Duh.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Barrel Bob Pleads Safety in Work Zones
Hey there! I’m Barrel Bob - I’m 11 feet tall, 8 feet wide, bright orange and hard to miss – and that’s good cause I’m going to be watching for you in Missouri work zones this summer.
Why is work zone safety personal to me? Those are my co-workers out there and I want to them get home safe and sound every night. And those motorists driving through work zones are our friends and family, and we want them to get where they are going quickly and safely.
I think I am pretty easy to spot when I’m in a work zone. I’d think with all the orange signs and orange lights, my co-workers dressed in those fashionable neon green shirts and matching hard hats would be too. …but every year, someone gets hurt…my comrades and hundreds of people just like you.
And why do they get hurt? Well, some of you I hate to say have lead feet, I guess, and go a little fast. Others of you like to follow just a bit too close to the car in front of you. The rest of you are just too busy groovin’ to your tunes, texting your BFF, or updating your status to all your 500 friends. Whatever the reason, I don’t want anybody to get hurt out here so keep your speed down and don’t try crawlin’ up anyone’s tailpipe. After all, the folks in these work zones are improving YOUR roads for YOUR safety.
And we’ll be all over the state this year with road and bridge construction. More than 300 bridges are scheduled for construction this year under MoDOT’s Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. Statewide, work continues on a number of economic stimulus projects, as well as keeping 5,600 miles of minor roads in good condition through the Better Roads, Brighter Future program.
So stay alert, slow down and Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones. Find me on Facebook or learn more about work zone safety at www.modot.org.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Have You Seen This Barrel?
At eleven feet tall, he shouldn't go unnoticed. But if you want to follow his wherabouts, catch the inside scoop on his facebook page.
You'll likely hear him on the radio, too.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Working Together for Work Zone Safety
MoDOT and Missouri State Highway Patrol team up to keep work zones safe for everyone. Watch Trooper Kyle Green as he stops motorists that have been speeding in a work zone.
Working together, MoDOT and the MSHP show you why it is so important to stay alert and pay attention while driving in a work zone.
Working together, MoDOT and the MSHP show you why it is so important to stay alert and pay attention while driving in a work zone.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Driver Arrested After Unbelted Passenger Dies in Work Zone Crash
This story hits close to home, because even though it took place in Washington and not Missouri, it touches on two traffic issues in our state that affect us all: work zones and seat belts. And this situation is especially poignant right now because April 19 kicks off work zone awareness week, which means you’ll be seeing orange barrels all over the state soon.
And unfortunately, crashes in work zones happen more than you may think. In fact, in 2009 there were almost 2,200 crashes in Missouri work zones. Thirteen people were killed in these crashes and another 670 injured. Between 2005 and 2009, 64 people were killed and 4,260 people were injured in Missouri work zones.
Although there are various reasons for work zone crashes like inattention, following too closely, improper lane usage/change, too fast for conditions and failure to yield – the main reason traffic fatalities are so high is because motorists don’t buckle up. In 2009, of the 878 total traffic fatalities, 693 were vehicle occupant fatalities and 67 percent of them were not wearing a seat belt.
I don’t let anyone ride in my vehicle unless they are buckled, period. And I pay attention and follow the signs in work zones. If we all remembered these few rules, we’d have fewer families mourning the loss of loved ones. So remember, Buckle up and Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones. Arrive Alive.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Work Zones: What's Your Definition?
For many MoDOT employees, a work zone is simply their office. Maintenance Worker Ray Waters offers this description:
"Imagine standing on the roadway so close to passing cars that you can almost reach out and touch one. To complicate things, consider hearing so much background noise from the work that is underway that you can’t even hear a vehicle as it approaches. Instead you must stay constantly aware of your surroundings and rely on your co-workers to help keep a close eye on traffic."
Ray is not a stranger to close calls. Hear his story about how he almost didn't make it home from his office one day.
Drive Smart. Arrive Alive.
Friday, April 2, 2010
A Great Time To Be Orange
The warmer weather brings more work zones, and it's more important then ever that you're traveling safely through them.
One of the ways MoDOT gets your attention for work zone safety is through Operation Orange, our signature effort to turn significant Missouri landmarks orange. That's right, Orange! More than 70 buildings and landmarks throughout the state sported orange last year to highlight the need to drive safely in work zones.
Join us! Show your spring glow and sign up to be a part of a growing list of influential participants by going orange during National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week April 19-23. Together we can make our efforts bigger, better and ORANGER than ever before and help save lives.
Check out the video on our Operation Orange page to see some of the landmarks close to you that took on a fresh orange glow last year.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Save Gas, Time with MoDOT's New Construction Map
Want to save gas? Want to save time? Want to save yourself some aggravation when you're stuck in traffic in a highway work zone?
The Missouri Department of Transportation's new 2008 Statewide Construction Map can help with all of that. The full-color, 17-by-22-inch map details nearly 180 major construction sites across the state.
Although not a complete listing of all MoDOT construction projects, the map features descriptions of various projects that may affect traffic across the state this year. The map is useful for over-the-road truck drivers, visitors planning a trip across Missouri highways and Missouri citizens who want to learn more about roadwork on their routes.
"This map is a great way to find out in advance where you may run into traffic backups," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. "It may help you avoid work zones, and get to your destination more quickly. If you can't avoid them, the map will let you know to build in extra time and drive carefully."
Up-to-the-minute work zone information can be found on MoDOT's Web site at http://www.modot.org/
Copies of the 2008 Statewide Construction Map are available at tourist information centers, rest areas, and at each of the department's 10 district offices. Request a copy by calling MoDOT's customer service center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MODOT (275-6636), or send an e-mail request to: comments@modot.mo.gov.
The Missouri Department of Transportation's new 2008 Statewide Construction Map can help with all of that. The full-color, 17-by-22-inch map details nearly 180 major construction sites across the state.
Although not a complete listing of all MoDOT construction projects, the map features descriptions of various projects that may affect traffic across the state this year. The map is useful for over-the-road truck drivers, visitors planning a trip across Missouri highways and Missouri citizens who want to learn more about roadwork on their routes.
"This map is a great way to find out in advance where you may run into traffic backups," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. "It may help you avoid work zones, and get to your destination more quickly. If you can't avoid them, the map will let you know to build in extra time and drive carefully."
Up-to-the-minute work zone information can be found on MoDOT's Web site at http://www.modot.org/
Copies of the 2008 Statewide Construction Map are available at tourist information centers, rest areas, and at each of the department's 10 district offices. Request a copy by calling MoDOT's customer service center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MODOT (275-6636), or send an e-mail request to: comments@modot.mo.gov.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Drivers Reminded Not to Barrel Through Work Zones
JEFFERSON CITY - Too many Missouri Department of Transportation employees can tell harrowing stories of near misses in work zones and accidents that left them in the ditch, on top of their truck or in the hospital. One message these workers have for Missouri motorists is: "When you see orange signs, they are there for a reason. Slow down and be alert."
As highway construction again gears up for the year, MoDOT is working to prevent work zone accidents by reminding motorists, "Don't Barrel Through Work Zones." Billboard and radio advertising throughout the state will carry that message through the construction season.
MoDOT is also sponsoring Operation Orange for the second year to increase work zone awareness and honor fallen workers by lighting state landmarks orange during Work Zone Awareness Week, April 7-11. In addition to MoDOT buildings statewide, other facilities that will be lit orange include the St. Louis Science Center Planetarium, Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Zoo, the Boone County Courthouse, the Shelter Insurance Gardens' fountain in Columbia, the Emerson Bridge in Cape Girardeau, Hammons Field in Springfield and the Branson Landing.
More information about Operation Orange can be found at www.modot.org/operationorange.
"Work zone deaths and injuries are preventable," MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. "Most often they are caused by inattention. We need drivers to be alert."
Education and enforcement efforts, along with improved engineering measures, appear to be paying off. In 2007, five people were killed in work zones, a 74 percent decrease from 2006 when 19 people were killed. Work zone injuries decreased more than 33 percent. There were approximately 800 people injured in 2007 work zones, compared to 1,190 in 2006.
According to Missouri statistics, most work zone crashes are caused by inattention, excessive speed and following too closely. Motorists are the ones most likely to be killed or injured in a work-zone crash.
Work zones will be all over the state again this year as MoDOT continues its Better Roads, Brighter Future initiative. The plan calls for improvements on 5,600 more miles of major roadways by 2011 and will bring 85 percent of Missouri's roadways up to good condition.
The Better Roads, Brighter Future program targets highways carrying 80 percent of all traffic on the state highway system-that's 103 million miles traveled a day. When the program is complete at the end of 2011, the improved roads will prevent approximately 85 disabling injuries and save 10 lives every year.
Beginning this year, crews will also be working hard on the Interstate 64 construction project in St. Louis, as well as the kcICON project to improve Interstate 29 and Interstate 35 in north Kansas City, including a new Christopher S. Bond Bridge. Work will also begin on the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program, which will improve 800 bridges over the next five years.
For more information about construction projects statewide or to access the 2008 statewide construction map, visit http://www.modot.org/ or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).
Editor's note: Attached is a partial list of buildings and landmarks that will participate in Operation Orange during Work Zone Awareness Week. The list will be updated as additional places are added. Visit www.modot.org/operationorange for periodic updates.
Operation Orange Participants (As of March 28)
Northwest Region
East Hills Library, St. Joseph
Troop H Highway Patrol
MoDOT District Office, St. Joseph
North Central Region
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B Headquarters
MoDOT District Office, Macon
Northeast Region
City of LaGrange
Lincoln County Commission, Troy
Ayers Oil Company, reader boards on major routes
Abel Oil Company, reader boards on major routes
Mercantile Bank, Louisiana
Bank of Lincoln County, Winfield
Jim Trenary Chevrolet, Troy
MoDOT District Office, Hannibal
Maintenance facilities on major routes
Kansas City Area
Kauffman Stadium
Belton Water Tower
Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Wornall Road Bridge at Brush Creek
City of Lee's Summit, Police Station
Downtown (Kansas City) Marriott Hotel
Country Club Plaza, fountain
Unity Village Tower
City of Harrisonville, City Hall
North Kansas City, City Hall
Hampton Inn, Clinton
Memorial Fountain, Grandview
MoDOT District Office and maintenance buildings
Central Region
Boone County Courthouse
Shelter Insurance Gardens - fountain
MoDOT District 5 Office
MoDOT Central Office
St. Louis Area
Six Flags St. Louis - marquee
Lumiere Place
Maritz
Saint Louis Science Center - Planetarium
Kiener Plaza - fountain
Logan College of Chiropractic
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium - message boards
America's Center - message boards
St. Louis Zoo
Missouri Botanical Gardens - Ridgeway Center
Residence Inn
Balke Brown Associates
Kozeny Wagner Contracting
Larry West, N.B. Contracting
Vinita Park City Hall
MoDOT Transportation Management Center
Southwest Region
Welcome Center, Joplin
MoDOT District Office, Joplin
Springfield Area
Hammons Field, Springfield
Branson Landing, Branson
MoDOT District Offices
South Central Region
Westgate GMAC Real Estate, West Plains
Great Rivers Distributing (Anheuser-Busch Distributor), West Plains
Holiday Inn Express, Rolla
MoDOT District Office
Southeast Region
Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, Cape Girardeau
City of Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau Central High School
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
Drury Southwest Signs
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston offices
Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce
Pemiscot County Courthouse
City of Farmington, water tower
MoDOT District Office, Sikeston
As highway construction again gears up for the year, MoDOT is working to prevent work zone accidents by reminding motorists, "Don't Barrel Through Work Zones." Billboard and radio advertising throughout the state will carry that message through the construction season.
MoDOT is also sponsoring Operation Orange for the second year to increase work zone awareness and honor fallen workers by lighting state landmarks orange during Work Zone Awareness Week, April 7-11. In addition to MoDOT buildings statewide, other facilities that will be lit orange include the St. Louis Science Center Planetarium, Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Zoo, the Boone County Courthouse, the Shelter Insurance Gardens' fountain in Columbia, the Emerson Bridge in Cape Girardeau, Hammons Field in Springfield and the Branson Landing.
More information about Operation Orange can be found at www.modot.org/operationorange.
"Work zone deaths and injuries are preventable," MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. "Most often they are caused by inattention. We need drivers to be alert."
Education and enforcement efforts, along with improved engineering measures, appear to be paying off. In 2007, five people were killed in work zones, a 74 percent decrease from 2006 when 19 people were killed. Work zone injuries decreased more than 33 percent. There were approximately 800 people injured in 2007 work zones, compared to 1,190 in 2006.
According to Missouri statistics, most work zone crashes are caused by inattention, excessive speed and following too closely. Motorists are the ones most likely to be killed or injured in a work-zone crash.
Work zones will be all over the state again this year as MoDOT continues its Better Roads, Brighter Future initiative. The plan calls for improvements on 5,600 more miles of major roadways by 2011 and will bring 85 percent of Missouri's roadways up to good condition.
The Better Roads, Brighter Future program targets highways carrying 80 percent of all traffic on the state highway system-that's 103 million miles traveled a day. When the program is complete at the end of 2011, the improved roads will prevent approximately 85 disabling injuries and save 10 lives every year.
Beginning this year, crews will also be working hard on the Interstate 64 construction project in St. Louis, as well as the kcICON project to improve Interstate 29 and Interstate 35 in north Kansas City, including a new Christopher S. Bond Bridge. Work will also begin on the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program, which will improve 800 bridges over the next five years.
For more information about construction projects statewide or to access the 2008 statewide construction map, visit http://www.modot.org/ or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).
Editor's note: Attached is a partial list of buildings and landmarks that will participate in Operation Orange during Work Zone Awareness Week. The list will be updated as additional places are added. Visit www.modot.org/operationorange for periodic updates.
Operation Orange Participants (As of March 28)
Northwest Region
East Hills Library, St. Joseph
Troop H Highway Patrol
MoDOT District Office, St. Joseph
North Central Region
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B Headquarters
MoDOT District Office, Macon
Northeast Region
City of LaGrange
Lincoln County Commission, Troy
Ayers Oil Company, reader boards on major routes
Abel Oil Company, reader boards on major routes
Mercantile Bank, Louisiana
Bank of Lincoln County, Winfield
Jim Trenary Chevrolet, Troy
MoDOT District Office, Hannibal
Maintenance facilities on major routes
Kansas City Area
Kauffman Stadium
Belton Water Tower
Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Wornall Road Bridge at Brush Creek
City of Lee's Summit, Police Station
Downtown (Kansas City) Marriott Hotel
Country Club Plaza, fountain
Unity Village Tower
City of Harrisonville, City Hall
North Kansas City, City Hall
Hampton Inn, Clinton
Memorial Fountain, Grandview
MoDOT District Office and maintenance buildings
Central Region
Boone County Courthouse
Shelter Insurance Gardens - fountain
MoDOT District 5 Office
MoDOT Central Office
St. Louis Area
Six Flags St. Louis - marquee
Lumiere Place
Maritz
Saint Louis Science Center - Planetarium
Kiener Plaza - fountain
Logan College of Chiropractic
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium - message boards
America's Center - message boards
St. Louis Zoo
Missouri Botanical Gardens - Ridgeway Center
Residence Inn
Balke Brown Associates
Kozeny Wagner Contracting
Larry West, N.B. Contracting
Vinita Park City Hall
MoDOT Transportation Management Center
Southwest Region
Welcome Center, Joplin
MoDOT District Office, Joplin
Springfield Area
Hammons Field, Springfield
Branson Landing, Branson
MoDOT District Offices
South Central Region
Westgate GMAC Real Estate, West Plains
Great Rivers Distributing (Anheuser-Busch Distributor), West Plains
Holiday Inn Express, Rolla
MoDOT District Office
Southeast Region
Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, Cape Girardeau
City of Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau Central High School
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
Drury Southwest Signs
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston offices
Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce
Pemiscot County Courthouse
City of Farmington, water tower
MoDOT District Office, Sikeston
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