MoDOT’s E update service offers job announcements, flood updates, work zone info and more

Have you subscribed to MoDOT’s free “E-update” service yet? If not, you’re missing out on a lot of good information from your department of transportation.

E-update’s lets you get info on work zones, road closures, flooding, public meetings, statewide news, district news, even job announcements.

You can sign up for the e-mail service at www.modot.org/eupdate. The newest E-update feature is our job announcement service. At the bottom of the subscription page is a section called “Career Opportunities” organized by district. It allows you to pick the geographic areas where you’re interested in finding employment. Once you’re signed up, you will receive an e-mail every time a job opens up in the districts you selected.

While you’re in there, sign up to get other information for your area. If you find out E updates aren’t for you, just change your subscription or unsubscribe entirely.

You can also visit our Twitter pages at http://www.modot.org/Twitter and get the latest tweets on job announcements and other MoDOT news.

Go TIGER!

No, we're not using this post to cheer for the Missouri Tigers, although I'll have to admit that their 3-0 start has been impressive. Hope the Nevada game is not an ambush in the desert!

This entry is about MoDOT's submission last week of an application for a TIGER Discretionary Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. In this case, TIGER stands for "Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery" and it is a special program that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The program was announced in the spring, giving states and local entities the opportunity to compete for $1.5 billion in stimulus funds to enable transportation projects that otherwise were not possible. Projects were to range from $20 million to $300 million in cost and able to be built by February of 2012. No state could receive more than $300 million total.

MoDOT's I-70 team worked hard all summer to develop its application to build up to 30 miles of truck-only lanes on Interstate 70 in Saline and Cooper Counties. The application was for $200 million. MoDOT would add $40 million to that for a $240 million project. If selected, this project would revolutionize interstate corridors that have heavy freight movements, separating cars from long-haul semis. It would demonstrate just how the concept would improve safety, reduce congestion and allow for efficiencies in freight flows.

The MoDOT application and all of its supporting information can be found at www.modot.mo.gov/arra/tiger/

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has indicated that projects will be selected by January 15, 2010. In the meantime, we'll be keeping our fingers crossed that this innovative project is chosen, and hoping that Coach Gary Pinkel's Tigers keep up their winning ways.

Lee's Summit Man Wins GPS System

One Missouri man took the time to learn more about work zone safety in Missouri and was rewarded with a brand new Garmin nuvi 750 GPS system.

Lee's Summit resident, Buck Sommerkamp, entered to win the GPS while visiting the MoDOT Web site and learning how to Arrive Alive while traveling in Missouri work zones. Some of the tips included slow down, drive sober, follow the signs and always buckle up.

“I’ve been buckling up since driver’s ed in high school,” Sommerkamp said. “We couldn’t turn the key until our seat belts were buckled, and that’s something I’ve taught both my boys.”

The contest was part of the annual work zone safety campaign sponsored by MoDOT that ran April through September. The campaign utilized online advertising to drive Missourians to http://www.modot.org/ where they could find a current listing of work zones and work zone safety tips. They could also enter to win baseball tickets and the free GPS.

More than 3,000 entries were received during the campaign. From April to July, two names were randomly selected each week for free Cardinals or Royals tickets. A grand-prize winner was randomly drawn for the GPS system. The baseball tickets were donated by TrueMedia in Columbia; the GPS system was donated by Garmin International.

In 2008, 12 people were killed in work zones, an increase from 2007 when five people were killed. Three MoDOT employees lost their lives on the job during 2008. Speed, inattention and tailgating are cited as the cause of most crashes in areas where roadwork is under way.


The GPS system will help Sommerkamp travel safely through work zones in the future.

Join the Battle of the Belt Challenge

Calling all Missouri high school students to compete in the 2009 Battle of the Belt Challenge for an opportunity to win cash and prizes for your school.

The Battle of the Belt is a competition between Missouri high schools to increase seat belt use among students. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, Missouri Emergency Nurses Association and American Family Insurance sponsor the program.

During the competition, teens participate in an observational safety belt survey conducted before and after an education blitz to determine the change in seat belt use among teens. Prizes are awarded to schools for having the highest seat belt use statewide and locally. Prizes are also awarded for those schools showing the most improved seat belt use.

It’s not too late to sign up. It’s easy to do and teaches a life-saving message. A Participation Agreement Form must be completed by Oct. 2, 2009. Visit www.savemoyouth.com for more information.

Check out this student-produced video from the competition last year.

Big Bags

With holidays not so far away, the mention of big bags makes me think of the shopping that I'll have to get done pretty soon.

But these bags are far more useful. MoDOT has purchased bags -- really, really BIG bags -- in order to hold off floodwaters in the state. They can help alot more people than just those on my gift list.

Big Bags are just that -- large sand bags that unfold like an accordion to create a 15-foot long by 3-foot high by 3-foot wide storage compartment for sand. One system of Big Bags takes the place of 500 regular sand bags.

“They’ll be used the next time floodwaters threaten to rise over our major roads,” said Jim Carney, state maintenance engineer. “A new product like this can help us save time and protect lives during a crisis.”

The Big Bags work much like Legos toys; a chain of dumpster-sized bags can be stacked, attached, filled with sand and built upon to create massive floodwalls quickly and easily. The bags are made of tightly woven polypropylene with wooden frames that are screwed together. Each system weighs only 50 pounds when empty, but when deployed they are filled with 2,800-3,500 pounds of sand, depending on the moisture content.

It takes just a few minutes to fill the bags with the help of a spreader box on dump trucks. Creating a traditional sand bag wall could take several hours.

Flood waters, watch out.

Show Us Your Seat Belt Dance

More than 250 seat belt videos have been posted online in the first round of the Get Your Buckle On video competition which ended Aug. 31.

Many of the videos were filmed in the Highway Gardens Exhibit Hall at this year’s Missouri’s State Fair. Teens, young children and adults all had a blast dancing to the original song, “Get Your Buckle On.”

The winner of the first-round contest will be announced by Oct. 1 as we kick off Get Your Buckle On – Round 2.

Visit www.getyourbuckleon.com/ to check out the videos.

They Weevil and They Wobble

The weevils have a job to do in Missouri, and they're working hard to earn their keep.

Over the last couple of years, MoDOT has teamed up with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the University of Missouri-Extension, working towards the best solution for an increase in spotted knapweed along roadsides. Don't let the pretty purple flowers fool you -- left unchecked, the knapweed takes over, creating an herbicide that kills plants around it. Overall, it's not the friendliest of neighbors.

Enter the weevil. Used in other parts of the country for decades and known to focus only on knapweed, these little guys have been put to work. Over the summer, they were released in 75 sites around the state, mostly in southern Missouri.

Rand Swanigan, roadside management specialist, finds it a very positive way to go.

"It's not a cure-all, but it allows mother nature to help us control this weed in an environmentally friendly way," said Swanigan.

That, and the weevils get a free lunch.

Who do you love?

If you’re a three-year old girl, you probably love Dora the Explorer; five-year old boys covet any Star Wars character with a helmet and a laser weapon. They would probably also put mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and maybe a sibling on the list -- oh, and let’s not forget ICE CREAM.

If you are a parent like me, your love list would first and foremost include your kids. You’d likely throw yourself in front of a speeding locomotive to keep them safe. But, no one is asking you to do that. In fact, to keep your kids safe in the car, the solution is much less dramatic.

Just buckle them in to the appropriate safety seat (and make sure it’s installed correctly) for their age, size and weight. All the details can be found at www.savemolives.com/. There’s a great video there too.

Sept. 12 is National Seat Check Saturday and launches Child Passenger Safety Week from September 12-19. The week includes education on proper safety seat installation and use as well as increased law enforcement cracking down on Missouri's child safety seat law violators. A list of car seat inspection stations and locations for the car seat checkups can be found at www.savemolives.com.

Car crashes are the number one killer of children. During the last three years in Missouri, 56 children were killed and 437 more suffered disabling injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four child safety seats are improperly installed. Don’t let your child be a statistic.

Spread the love, BUCKLE UP!!

How Many Vehicles Drive Your Route Every Day? We Can Tell You!

Do you want to find out if traffic on your route has been climbing over the years? Are you thinking about starting a business near a state highway and want to know how many people will be driving by? Well, MoDOT can help you.

One of the little known offerings of MoDOT’s web site is our Traffic Volume Maps page. This page offers a collection of PDF maps that shows the Average Daily Traffic (“ADT” in MoDOT lingo) for hundreds of state maintained routes and interchanges. There is a statewide map that shows Missouri as a whole, and 10 regional maps so you can get a more refined view of the numbers. Of course, only state routes are covered, and we don’t show municipal traffic, but these maps are great tools for seeing how many people share your route on an average day. You can also go back to 2000 to see how traffic numbers have changed over the years.

The maps are updated every year and are valuable resources for safety officials, the business community, motor carriers or someone just trying to win an argument about traffic with their neighbor.

Click on the hot link above or go to www.modot.org/safety/trafficvolumemaps.htm to check out this great resource.

Smooth Ride

What is MoDOT's role in the 2009 Tour of Missouri? This week's MoDOT Minute explains how we help the race run smoothly while minimizing the impact of road closures for drivers.

Check the MoDOT Minute each week for 60 seconds of your latest transportation headlines in Missouri.

A Local Voice

The Recovery Act funding has given MoDOT the opportunity to demonstrate that funding for transportation projects can and does provide a jumpstart to economic development. Watch this video to hear from local Missouri voice Keith Miller why the funding has helped Missouri, and how the benefits extend beyond the projects themselves.

Laboring for a Safe Holiday

Like many other Missourians this weekend, my family and I will be traveling for Labor Day. For me, it’s all about the cake, since I was born on Labor Day. But, whatever the reason or destination involved, one thing we should all remember is to pay attention in work zones.

Many people get annoyed with work zones and don’t follow the signs, which can mean catastrophic results for all involved. Between 2004 and 2008, 79 people were killed in work zones. Since 2000, 15 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty. Hitting and injuring or killing a highway worker in Missouri could result in a fine up to $10,000 and loss of your license for a year.

This year alone, several MoDOT crews were involved in crashes and narrowly escaped injuries while improving Missouri roads. Inattention, impairment, speeding, following too closely and texting while driving are all suspected as the causes of the crashes. (And if you’re under 21, texting while driving is against the law now anyway.)

You can learn more about work zone safety at modot.org or call 888-ASK-MODOT. While visiting our Web site, you can enter to win a Garmin GPS system (it doesn't even have to be your birthday). The drawing will be held Sept. 10th, so there’s only about a week left to enter!

Please be courteous as you travel through work zones this weekend and help make sure everyone will Arrive Alive. Remember to buckle up, watch for signs, slow down and stay alert. Thank you!

Tomorrow's Engineers

Twenty-nine students participated in the 2009 TRAC Summer Conference this summer. TRAC stands for Transportation and Civil Engineering Program, and offers hand-on experience to high school students who may become our future engineers.

One of the activities involved working at a traffic signal to take a traffic count. Students also received an overview of MoDOT and its divisions, and had a presentation regarding the No Zone and how they can stay safe around large trucks. (See the blog post from Aug. 21, "Disappearing Dump Trucks", for an eye-opening video of what the students learned)

Elizabeth Reed, with MoDOT's Equal Employement and Opportunity division, sees TRAC as a valuable opportunity to reach out to students.

"They were given an opportunity to learn engineering concepts and apply them to real-world situations," said Reed. "Hopefully, it will encourage them to become tomorrow's engineers."

Just Like Riding a Bike

I’m not much of a bike rider. As a kid, I lived on my bicycle, but not anything that I’ve kept up with as I’ve gotten older – a bit lazy when it comes to pedaling up hills! So when I was assigned as MoDOT’s project manager for the Tour of Missouri, I was looking forward to learning a lot about a subject that was definitely new to me.

Now, in our third year of the Tour of Missouri, I’m hooked! After watching these professional athletes climb the hills, handle the curves and attack Missouri’s mountains (we really do have some out there!), they have my complete respect and admiration.

When you stand along the race route and watch the cyclists, it’s amazing what is required of them in this sport – strength, endurance, concentration, teamwork. The race happens to be the largest professional sporting event in the state of Missouri, and guess what, it’s free!

Sept. 7 – beginning in St. Louis, through Sept. 13 – ending in Kansas City, cyclists from more than 20 countries will be traversing our state at about 30 miles per hour as they move from east to west. It’s a well-oiled production and a unique opportunity as millions of eyes and ears watch the event throughout the world.

Up for being outdoors in the beautiful September sunshine? Check it out! More information about specific routes and times is available on the MoDOT Web site, along with a link to the Tour of Missouri site. And thanks to MoDOT’s primary responsibility, which is to help plan a safe route for participants and onlookers and then to help motorists travel safety and efficiently during the race, this should be another successful event for Missouri.

And I should clarify – “I’m hooked” as in hooked on watching and enjoying a new sport, not as in riding my bike again, but that could happen – never say never!

Welcome Commissioner Miller

Stephen R. Miller of Kansas City was sworn in this week as Missouri's newest Highways and Transportation Commissioner by Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice William Ray Price, Jr.

He was appointed earlier this month by Governor Jay Nixon.

"Mr. Miller's impressive background and considerable knowledge of transportation issues make him a valuable addition to the commission," said Missouri Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn. "I look forward to working closely with him to ensure that Missouri's transportation system continues to improve and to tackle the significant challenges we will face in the very near future."

Miller is an attorney with the law firm of Miller Schirger and has more than 25 years experience in construction law. He fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Mike Kehoe of Jefferson City and will complete his term, which runs through March 1, 2011.

Welcome Commissioner Miller!

DNT TXT & DRV – I WNT 2 ARV ALV

I’m not innocent when it comes to texting and driving. I’ve found myself driving 70 miles per hour on Route 63 when my text alert buzzes. Not one to ignore my phone, I reach over, read it, sometimes even respond.

I’ve read the horror stories and watched this sad (and a little too graphic) PSA and recognize the dangers of texting while driving, but it’s still an incredibly hard habit to break.

And my phone plan limits me to 250 text messages a month.

Last week I went with my 18-year-old sister-in-law to renew her cell phone plan. They looked up her text message usage and she puts mine to shame. She sends an average of 3,000 text messages per month – 100 text messages per day. I’m sure a fair share of that is done while driving, putting herself and others at risk.

A new law goes into effect this week that bans Missouri drivers 21 years of age or younger from sending, reading, or writing an electronic message while driving.
Initially when the law was passed, I questioned: why just youth? Why not everybody? Am I, at age 25, any less of a risk than someone under 22? Maybe not. But if you look at my texting usage compared to that of my sister-in-law’s you see the importance of banning her and other youth from texting while they are still novice drivers.

Eventually I hope the ban follows suit for the rest of us. With a fine of $200 if caught, I think I would find a way to ignore that pesky little text message – at least until I’m safely off the road.

Sweet Directions

While walking around town today, a car pulled up to the curb with three women inside looking for Central Dairy, a rather famous mid-Missouri ice cream stop. I could never stand between anyone and their Extreme Chocolate Moose Tracks, so I tried to make sure my directions were clear.

The importance of good direction cannot be understated. Without it, a good deal of time can be wasted looking for the right way to go. Without it, these women may have been forced to settle for a non-dairy soft-serve cone from a fast-food chain.

The new Missouri state map is hot off the presses. Order your free copy today so you'll always have the clearest directions with you for your Missouri travel.

In the meantime, my own direction now is to make an ice-cream run after work.

Disappearing Dump Trucks!

My mom always said that my first sentence was, “Me do!” And it seems that anytime I can do and see things for myself, the lesson sticks with me – especially if what I do is out of the ordinary. So I have no doubt that the young adults who participated in a recent “No Zone” event are living the lessons they learned about large trucks’ blind spots.

Wal-Mart, the Missouri Motor Carriers Association and MoDOT brought an 18-wheeler to a Jefferson City parking lot, parked full-sized dump trucks to the back and sides of the trailer and placed a car in front of the truck tractor.

The youths – all enrolled in transportation career exploration programs – climbed into the cab, settled into the driver’s position and discovered something amazing…the dump trucks had DISAPPEARED!

Check out the video. Watch the reactions when the youths realize they can’t see the bright yellow behemoths parked just a few feet away. Without leaning way out of a safe driving position, there was no way to see any of the other vehicles. The vehicle in front of the truck might as well have been a speck on the pavement.

I have no doubt that these young drivers learned a new respect for commercial drivers. When they travel near trucks, they keep look for the drivers’ mirrors, knowing that unless they see the driver, the driver doesn’t see them. They don’t linger while passing and make sure they see the top of the truck in their own mirrors before completing a pass.

Sometimes, "do by self" is the best way to learn how to Arrive Alive.

Think Before You Drink

I dropped my kids off today for their first day of school – my little girl started kindergarten. And while it was a bittersweet day for me, I realize how lucky I am to have these moments with my kids. There are families everywhere who don’t have these opportunities because of someone else’s choice to drink and drive.

Today, as Missouri kicks off its annual You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign, I urge all drivers to think before you drink.

Besides kicking off our impaired driving campaign, we’re also highlighting a new law to help memorialize drunk driving victims. A new roadside memorial sign for impaired driving victims was unveiled today that will urge drivers to think about their choices this August and in the months ahead.

The signs are part of legislation that goes into effect Aug. 28 called David’s Law. The law is named after David Poenicke, a victim of impaired driving. The blue memorial signs read "Drunk Driving Victim!" and include the person's initials and the month and year they were killed. At the bottom it reads "Think About It!"

If each and every one of us would just take a moment and think about the consequences before driving impaired, we could save so many families from so much anguish. Please think before you drink, and help ensure that each of us is there to spend the big and small moments with our families.

Can We Talk?

As MoDOT's Web manager, I love talking about the many features of the department's Web site. It offers all kinds of community services that can benefit Missourians. It's just a matter of folks using them!

One of these features is our Request A Speaker page at http://www.modot.org/requestaspeaker.

If your group or organization needs a transportation expert to talk about MoDOT projects, services, plans, policies -- or anything along those lines -- just go to the Web address mentioned above and fill out the online form. We'll work with you to find a department speaker who meets your needs.

Whether it's for a civic organization, a local business group or just a group of engaged citizens, we will send someone in person to answer all your questions and make you a part of the process.

The Request A Speaker service is one of the best ways to get first-hand information on your department of transportation.

Why Did You Do It?

Why did you do it?

Can anyone say they have never littered? We are all probably guilty of this at some point, but this video takes away all of your excuses. Keep Missouri litter-free, and feel free to pick up that soda can someone else may have left behind.

And a special shout-out to those who participated in this spring's No MOre Trash Bash. Congratulations on picking up 111,000 bags of trash!

What Lies Beneath

Why do highways need to be rebuilt? This video shows you what lies beneath, and why highways eventually need more than a facelift.

1,000 Fans!

I'd like to send out a big thank-you to each of our facebook fans for helping us reach 1,000 fans today! Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and this blog have allowed us to reach out to customers in new ways, and we appreciate each fan, follower and comment.

Keep 'em coming! We want to hear your thoughts on how to best make your travel in Missouri smooth and safe.

Missouri Is More Bike Friendly

MoDOT works hard to factor bicycle and pedestrian travel into its highway projects, and has made a lot of headway making state roads and bridges more user-friendly for bicyclists and pedestrians. In fact, the League of American Bicyclists recently ranked Missouri as the 17th most bike friendly state in the nation, an 11-spot jump from last year.

Here are just a few examples of bike-friendly projects:
· Under the planned rehabilitation of the Heart of America Bridge, which connects downtown Kansas City with north Kansas City via Route 9, the bridge will be reconfigured to provide a barrier-protected path for bicycles and pedestrians. Signs reminding bicyclists and motorists to share the road will also be installed.

· The project to rebuild Interstate 64 now under way in St. Louis called for two new bicycle/pedestrian underpasses, which are now complete. A multi-use path at Hampton and I-64 that used to cross over a heavily traveled road now passes underneath to protect bicyclists and pedestrians from traffic. In addition, a new, more open bypass just west of Kingshighway lets bikers and pedestrians cross safely under the interstate.

· A protected pedestrian/bicycle walkway was built down the center of Kansas Expressway over Interstate 44 in Springfield as part of a diverging diamond interchange project that was completed in June.

· MoDOT is collaborating with the city of Rolla on a multi-phase project that has provided 9.07 miles of biking and walking paths to date, with an additional 1.72 miles planned. Once complete, the paths will connect to provide a comprehensive bike and pedestrian sidewalk network.

· An asphalt bicycle/pedestrian trail is being built in Riverview Park in Hannibal with federal enhancement funds. When finished later this summer, it will connect Riverview Park visitors to downtown Hannibal.

You can learn more about the league’s bike-friendly report at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/.

Not So Funny

I went to a comedy club the other night and the first thing the out-of-state comedian said was that he hated Missouri cops. Apparently he had been pulled over for speeding just after he crossed the state line into Missouri. On the outside I smiled, but inside I was doing a happy dance and thinking, “Hey the Heat Is On buddy”, and it’s working!

The funny guy went on to try to find a cop in the audience that would admit to his profession so that he could humiliate him in front of a crowd. There was a highway patrolman in the front row, but he wasn’t ashamed to admit it.

I have been pulled over for speeding myself. At the first glimpse of flashing lights in my rear view, my heart rate jumps and the armor comes up. I quickly go on the defensive, “Oh, come on, I wasn’t going that fast. What, are you having a bad day?” When in fact I was 10 mph over the limit.

Law enforcement officers are there, ultimately to keep us from killing ourselves and each other. Without them, who knows how fast we’d drive or how many stupid things we’d try just because no one was watching.

I’m happy to know that the cops are out there – nabbing those funny guys and keeping us safe.

County Maps Available on MoDOT Web site

Here’s a “Didja Know?” that many Missourians might find helpful: Maps of all 114 Missouri counties are available for download in PDF format at http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/CountyMaps.htm

The maps shows county roads, waterways, airports, hospitals, cemeteries and many other county features that a city map or state map can’t highlight in detail.

If you’re interested in viewing or downloading these maps you need to make sure you have a version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. If you don’t, the program is free and easy to find with any search engine or by going to http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Mock Crash Opens Eyes

For emergency service personnel, the scene was all too real.

Smashed cars. Cracked windshields. Life-threatening injuries. A fatality. A drunk driver. Angry, grieving passengers.

Luckily, this time it wasn’t real. It was part of a mock DWI crash held last week in Columbia. The exercise was part of a three-day conference to help prevent drug- and alcohol-related accidents sponsored by Team Spirit.

Students from 11 Missouri high schools saw first hand why it’s a bad idea to drink and drive. Students witnessed a simulated head-on collision where the driver was impaired and one person dies. Last year, 951 underage drivers were involved in alcohol-related traffic crashes in Missouri.

At the end of the mock crash, the students were silent as the scene was recapped.

“It only takes that one lapse to create results like that,” said the narrator.

When asked how many people think a crash like this would affect their school, all hands were raised.

Watch the video below.

Where are the Bullet Trains?

Progress continues toward high-speed rail development in Missouri. While the bullet trains are not coming anytime soon, significant improvements could occur if the Federal Railroad Administration approves MoDOT's application for $200 million in economic recovery funding. Competition for the limited $8 billion in available funding will be strong, considering the $103 billion in applications submitted by 40 states.

However, MoDOT, in partnership with Union Pacific Railroad and Amtrak, has developed a very good list of proposed improvements. These projects will not only put people to work quickly, they will remove significant system bottlenecks and allow for increased train speeds. MoDOT has also been working with other Midwest states to acquire modern and efficient train equipment to replace the current 1960's-era trains.

Construction work on Missouri's first-ever publicly funded rail capacity project is on schedule for completion in 2009. This new 9,000-foot passing rail siding near California will eliminate a 25-mile section with no siding long enough to hold a freight train. This area has been a major bottleneck in the past.

Passenger ridership in Missouri remains strong, closing the state fiscal year 10 percent above last year. This is largely due to improved on-time performance, which has been above 95 percent since January 1st. People are running out of excuses for not using this service. What are you waiting for!? Go to www.morail.org and get aboard!

Football Fans, Buckle Up!

With school right around the corner, football teams are gearing up for their next season and fans are ready. No matter what jersey you choose, make sure a seat belt is wrapped securely around it when you're headed to the game.
And if your team is up against a 64-foot player, good luck!

MoDOT Opens Nation’s First Diverging Diamond Interchange

Ever drive on the left side of the road? A highway design common in Europe is now giving Springfield, Mo. motorists this unique experience.

MoDOT opened the first-in-the-USA Diverging Diamond Interchange in June at the intersection of Kansas Expressway (Route 13) and Interstate 44 in Springfield.

Signs, pavement markings and concrete islands at the new interchange guide drivers on Route 13 as they criss-cross at traffic signals on both sides of the bridge at Interstate 44. That puts oncoming traffic on the right, but separated by concrete barriers that also form a pedestrian walkway down the center.

Left-turning vehicles on Kansas Expressway get a "free left" onto the I-44 on-ramps. At the same time, two lanes of traffic continuing north or south on Kansas Expressway are able to travel more steadily through the interchange.

A DDI is a great solution in high traffic areas. Motorists no longer have to cross opposing traffic. Left turn crashes are eliminated and the chance of being in a rear end crash is reduced. Motorists spend less time being stuck in traffic, which is also good for the environment as idle time is reduced at the interchange. Plus, Springfield’s DDI design came out to be cheaper and shaved about a year-and-a-half off the construction time.

Look for similar Diverging Diamond projects in Missouri, including one on National Avenue at the James River Freeway (Route 60) in Springfield and in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Keep Your Butts in the Car

The other day I was driving home from work, when I saw the guy in front of me flick a cigarette butt out his truck window. So since The Litterer couldn’t actually hear me from my car, I honked at him. I guess I just wanted him to know someone was watching.

Littering is one of my biggest pet peeves. And many people don’t consider throwing out their cigarette butts as littering. Do people think that once the cigarette butt hits the road, it magically disappears? It’s really just like throwing a bag of garbage out the window. Cigarette filters can take years to degrade. And according to my online research, cigarettes are the most littered item with several trillion butts being littered worldwide every year.

I have picked up litter many times, as part of my Adopt-A-Highway group, and I’ll tell you, it’s not fun. But because people still litter, someone has get out there and clean it up. MoDOT already spends about $5 million a year to clean up litter off the roads, and our AAH groups contribute another $1 million in efforts. Although there are many different items that people throw out of their vehicles, cigarette butts are the things I see the most. Not only are they ugly and smelly, but the toxic residue in cigarette filters is damaging to the environment, and littered butts cause numerous fires every year, some of them fatal.

So what can we do? MoDOT is always accepting new volunteers in our Adopt-A-Highway or Sponsor-A-Highway programs. Just go to www.modot.org/ or call 888-ASK MODOT to join. Butt, if you happen to see someone flicking their butt out their car window, honk and let folks know you’re watching too.

A Bright Idea

You pay attention to those bright yellow signs on the road, right? At least the ones telling you about the possibility of a giant rock falling on your car?

Now those signs warning you about a sharp curve, narrow bridge or dead end up ahead will be even brighter.

MoDOT has changed the type of sheeting it uses on the diamond-shaped warning signs to a fluorescent yellow - bolder and brighter than before. So even if you're driving along singing with your favorite radio station, these signs should grab your attention.

They won't all go up at once. As a current sign is in need of replacement, the brighter one will be used. But as someone who has been known to host my own off-key live concert in my car, I appreciate all the help I can get.

MoDOT Web site lets citizens report potholes and more

See a pothole on a state road? Tell us about it!

With MoDOT’s Report a Road Concern online form, you can help your department of transportation keep Missouri roads safe and smooth.

Linked from the MoDOT homepage at www.modot.org, Report a Road Concern lets citizens contact the department about a variety of road-related issues. Look for the link on the right-hand side of the homepage.

Existing report categories include: mowing, striping, signs, potholes, signal problems, highway lighting, guardrail/guard cable issues, illegal dumping on the highway and non-stormwater discharge into a drainage ditch. There is also a blank comment field in case the problem being reported is not on the existing list.

Travelers are our most valuable resource for information. They’re the ones using our highways and bridges every day. They know if something is not right immediately. This online form is another way they can communicate with MoDOT.

You can go directly to the Report a Road Concern here: http://www.modot.org/asp/repair.htm .

All-Star FanFest 2009

Baseball greats will soon infiltrate Missouri for the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star game. St. Louis will host the event for the first time since 1966, the inaugural season of the previous Busch Stadium.

MoDOT teamed up with the Illinois Department of Transportation and TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) Coalition to promote the importance of designating a sober driver and always buckling up at All-Star FanFest July 10-14.

FanFest features interactive exhibits and attractions for baseball enthusiasts of all ages. Fans can hit against some of the MLB’s best pitchers in the video batting cages, record their own play-by-play and attend free autograph sessions with baseball’s biggest stars.

The MoDOT booth encouraged fans to film a video or take the pledge to follow MLB’s Fan Code of Conduct, never drive impaired, always have a designated driver, and to buckle up and arrive alive. Fans also took souvenir photos in the replica Busch Stadium Cardinals dugout.

Check out the video from our FanFest booth below. You can also check out a number of the Fan Videos that were submitted during FanFest here.

If you are attending the All-Star Game events or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

• Be a designated sober driver or designate your sober driver before the game begins


• Give your designated sober driver your car keys and your appreciation for making sure you get home safely


• Before you go out, program the numbers for local cab companies in your cell phone, so if you find yourself in need of a ride, it is just one touch away


• Remember, always buckle up and arrive alive.
  
  

Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet? We could be. Learn more about why we need to invest more in transportation.

Speedy Bridge Projects

Wow. MoDOT contractors have been completing and reopening bridges around the state every day-and-a-half since late April.

On Friday, Chester Bross Construction Co. completed the 50th bridge project in MoDOT's Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program -- the Route BB bridge over Island Creek in Gentry County, near King City.

Speed of construction is a key feature of the Safe & Sound program, and so far so good. The average bridge closure to date has been 40 days and the projects have been completed an average of three days ahead of schedule.

By the end of this year, more than 100 new bridges will have been completed on the way to the program's total of 802 by Oct. 31, 2014.

Soon, KTU Constructors will determine its schedule for the most ambitious part of Safe & Sound -- the complete replacement of 554 bridges.

Stay tuned.

Getting Ready to Race

When the gun is fired Sept. 7 in St. Louis, the third annual Tour of Missouri will begin -- moving along more than 600 miles of Missouri's roads before ending in Kansas City Sept. 13. As the MoDOT Tour of Missouri project coordinator, I'm teaming up with a variety of highway and traffic experts and public information co-workers around the state to take care of our two primary responsibilities.

First, we've worked with other partners to identify a race route that's safe and attractive for both the professional cyclists and those who will watch along the roads. We consider things like work zones, traffic hazards and construction projects. Most of the course is planned on low-volume, rural routes where hills and curves offer the American and foreign atheltes the challenges they like.

Second, we make sure the traveling public will be informed of the traffic interuptions throughout the seven-day event by coordinating traffic management plans with local communities and law enforcement agencies. We make plans to get the word out so those that want to avoid traffic delays can do so.

We also helped the Missouri Tourism Division by creating host city signs. These signs are being put up on the current city limit sign posts along key routes leading in and out of the communities that will be hosting a race start or finish.

We’ve worked hard to help make this a successful event for our state, and as the race goes along, safety for the traveling public and the cyclists is our main concern.

We're proud the national and international race coverage will highlight our state and that Missouri’s highways will be on display throughout the world!

You'll find race information, race route details and photographs at http://www.tourofmissouri.com/ and http://www.modot.org/.

Starts With a Bang, Ends With a Whimper

Suppose your boss surprises you one day with an unexpected one-time bonus. You decide to use the money to build that new patio you always wanted for your house. Because you’ve planned for that patio for some time and have carefully researched prices, you end up getting a good deal. The money you save on the patio lets you do some repairs and other odd jobs around your house.

But suppose looming in the future is the likelihood your income will decline to almost a third of the current amount. You’ll be lucky to keep what you own, much less buy anything new.

That’s how it is with the Missouri Department of Transportation’s five-year highway construction program. As MoDOT Director Pete Rahn puts it, “It’s a lot like when someone comes to you and says, ‘Do you want the good news or the bad news. That’s how it is with our construction program. We’re going to be able to do a lot of great things at the beginning, but we won’t be able to maintain that momentum.”

Boom!

Did you know Missouri has more major river bridges than any state in the nation? Replacing large bridges is an extensive and costly process, and the old structures go out with a bang.

Enjoy this explosive video as a complement to the fireworks you see this weekend. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Seventy Days of HEAT

The HEAT is on this summer and it won’t just be 90-degree August days. For the past four years, Missouri has recorded the highest number of fatal and serious injury crashes between July and September.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is partnering with law enforcement to take precautions to reverse this trend. Law enforcement agencies across Missouri will be using High Enforcement Action Teams to crackdown on impaired drivers and ticket speeding and unbuckled drivers and passengers.

In order for Missouri to reach the statewide goal of 850 or fewer fatalities by 2012, the spike in fatalities between July and September must be prevented.

Enforcement will be coupled with paid media in July and August.

We had a lot of fun - and a lot of heat - shooting the video spot for the campaign. Check it out.

Braking News

Knowing that I work in the motor carrier world, friend Pepper Foxpath (not her real name) asked if I would address some things she’s always wondered about commercial trucks. She asked some fabulous questions that I’ll address over the next several postings.

Today’s subject is braking distance. Pepper wanted to know how cars and tractor-trailers compare. I found some stats from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that are very interesting. If we look at average total stopping distance at 55 mph, the reaction and braking time for a car and trucks are as follows:

Passenger car -193 feet (2/3 of a football field)
Loaded tractor-trailer with cool brakes -256 feet
Loaded tractor-trailer with hot brakes -430 (twice as long as a car!)
Empty tractor-trailer -249 feet
Tractor only (driving without a trailer) -243 feet

I’m impressed that a loaded truck’s stopping distance is just 63 feet longer than a car when its brakes are cool. Think about it. The semi and its load weigh 20 times the average 4,000 lb. weight of American cars, minivans and SUVs. That’s some fantastic mechanics! Still, that same truck with hot brakes has a stopping distance 68 percent longer.

Truck brakes heat up as they’re used. That’s why in mountain states, downhill stretches of highway have mandatory pull-offs where trucks sit and cool their brakes.

So when you’re out on the road, how can you tell if a truck has hot brakes? From the driver’s seat of your car, it’s nearly impossible. I think I’ll just drive as if all the trucks around me are steaming hot. No darting in front of trucks or making a last-minute turn into the same lane. Giving trucks the full passing lane as we both descend Missouri’s steep spots. Not braking willy-nilly because I think a truck is tailgating me. Driving smart could keep me from being squashed!

Be On the Lookout for Striping Crews

This is a busy time for highway striping crews. These workers are taking advantage of the warm, dry weather to paint brighter, more visible lines on Missouri roads.

Despite the fact that several trucks, complete with flashing signs, travel behind the paint truck to warn drivers to slow down and change lanes, five MoDOT crews have already been involved in crashes this year and have narrowly escaped injuries.

So what more do motorists need, you might ask? MoDOT has a ready response: pay attention and focus on the task at hand - driving. Be patient, obey the speed limit, don't talk or text on cell phones, keep a safe distance from other cars and buckle up.

That just may keep a near-miss from happening to you.

Breathe Easier

Some people say government is full of hot air. With MoDOT and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources working together to reduce diesel emissions, our air will be easier to breathe.

The departments have joined forces to improve air quality and public health in the state's metropolitan areas. MoDNR will administer a grant that helps MoDOT retrofit more than 130 vehicles with technology that reduces pollutants.

Emissions will drop by 288 tons per year - enough to fill 427 Goodyear blimps. Updates for the fleet will also mean better fuel efficiency.
Blue skies all around!

Keep Your Cool

Summer officially began this week, and the heat is here in Missouri to prove it. If you're like me, you'll be spending some time looking for ways to keep cool. Swimming pools, movie theaters and a vacation to just about anywhere come to mind.

One of the most important places to keep your cool is on the road. MoDOT's Director Pete Rahn speaks this week about some of the biggest work zones to watch out for. There's not much use in heading to the pool or other summer activities if you're not going to get there safely. Focus on your driving, slow down when you see a work zone and arrive alive.

Tell Us Your Thoughts About Busses

When was your last road trip by bus? What would you like to see improved? Perhaps you always choose a car over a bus - why?

MoDOT is studying ways to improve long-distance travel options in Missouri, specifically what is known as long-distance bus carriers such as Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Burlington Trailways, etc. We would appreciate it if you took a few minutes to share your thoughts. It will help identify unmet needs for long-distance service in Missouri.

Ride for Remembrance

Remembering the fallen.

Saturday, June 13, was brimming with the sounds of motorcycle engines as hundreds of people rode into Jefferson City in remembrance of fallen MoDOT workers. The choppers, cruisers and even some classic cars carried riders who were themselves MoDOT employees or who had some connection to a MoDOT worker, killed in the line of duty. MoDOT has lost 128 employees since 1945.

I’ve never been on a bike with an engine, but watching the motorcycles enter the parking lot one after another stirred a sense of pride in an organization whose employees are doing their best to make traveling Missouri better and safer than it has ever been.

The spirit of comraderie at the memorial rally was nurtured with food, games, vendors and fun for young and old. The proceeds go to the MoDOT Fallen Workers Memorial which we hope to have built near the Capitol soon. If you’d like to make a donation please go to www.teamontheweb.com.

Know Before You Go

With heavy rains today, remember some of these flood safety tips, and check MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for updated road closure information.

• Slow your speed for better control on rain slick roadways.


• Allow extra distance for braking.


• Turn your lights on whenever wipers are required -- it's the law!


• Don't try to cross a flooded roadway. If you see water on the road ahead, turn around and find another route.
  
• If there is no other route, get to higher ground and wait for the water to subside.


• Even if the water appears shallow, don't cross. The road underneath could have dips or may have washed away.


• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling. One or two feet of water can sweep most vehicles away.


• If your car stalls, get out immediately and move to higher ground.


• Don't drive unless necessary.


• If it's necessary to drive, know before you go. Check which roads are closed due to flooding on MoDOT's Traveler Information Map at http://www.modot.org/ or call 1-888-ASK MoDOT or the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Giving Green to Get the Green

Recycle, reduce pollution, use alternative fuels, and get cash back. What better incentive does a contractor need?

A new pilot green incentive program allows MoDOT contractors to receive "green credits" for using environmentally friendly practices during a project. Awards are received for meeting a green credit goal and additional award levels are available for exceeding the goal.

Meet the green credit goal: Redbud award - $5,000 bonus
Exceed goal by five credits: Hawthorn award - $10,000 bonus
Exceet goal by ten credits: Dogwood award - $15,000 bonus


The flip side is that a contractor not meeting their goal will actually lose green - they will pay a charge per credit that they are short. One more reason to keep that recycling bucket handy.

Driving to Distraction

Today’s high school and college students text constantly. I should know, I’m one of them. Texting has become the favored form of communication for those in class, eating dinner, or hanging out with friends. However, if a new law passes in Missouri, young drivers will find texting from the drivers seat not just dangerous but also expensive.

The Missouri Legislature passed a bill that makes it illegal for anyone 21 or younger from text messaging while driving.

The bill seems like a good idea. The road should be the driver’s number one concern. However, I have to wonder, why the age limit on the ban? Is an older driver somehow better at texting? Sen. Ryan McKenna doesn’t seem to think so. As the bill’s sponsor, he originally wanted it to cover those over 21 as well.

Not including those over 21 isn’t the law's only loophole. Officers may not be able to tell the difference between drivers dialing a phone and completing a text message. The ban may outlaw texting, but phones today also have Internet access, which creates an entirely new level of driving distraction. Imagine music, weather, sports updates, and games all a button push away. These phone capabilities are not included in the ban, leaving drivers able to use them freely. Should an officer pull over an individual texting or scrolling through their favorite website, how will the officer be able to tell what exactly they were doing with their phone?

Don’t get me wrong, the ban has the best of intentions. Keeping any segment from texting while driving will reduce the number of accidents. I simply believe the ban’s specificity is what keeps it from being functional. For example, some states have handheld cell phones banned from anyone driving. Not much room for excuses there. Until the ban is defined a little more thoroughly we can continue to expect accidents simply because the driver is too busy texting to make good driving decisions.

Your MoDOT Minute

60 seconds of the latest Missouri transportation headlines:

New blue icon lets motorists see into the future

MoDOTs Traveler Information map gets thousands of visitors every month. With work zone season upon us, a recent addition to the online map will make traveling across Missouri even easier. A new blue icon has been added that lets travelers see the location of future work zones up to a week before they start. This means you can see what’s ahead of you days before you even leave your house. Want to know what the drive to Branson is going to be like next week? Go to http://maps.modot.mo.gov/travelerinformation/, click on the checkbox next to the blue icon and get a look. The blue icon can let you prepare for delays which makes for a less stressful drive to your destination. The feature is also great for truckers who want to schedule around routes that may cause them drive time. It’s like seeing into the future!

Go Green, Save Green

Did you know you can “Go Green to Save Green” by visiting MoDOT’s Web site? This week, we launched a new online carpooling “ride sharing” database that let’s you find -- or create from scratch -- carpools anywhere in the state.

Click on the “Find a Ride” button and follow the instructions to get started. You’ll be matched with people in your area headed in your direction. Carpooling saves money and reduces your carbon footprint. Basically, it’s a win/win scenario that’s good for you and good for Mother Earth. On the site, you’ll find a map of our state-operated commuter lots complete with directions to and descriptions of each lot. We’ve also added links to some existing ride-matching sites in Missouri who have a base of subscribers.

Summertime slide

Shriveled french fries in the cup holder, a sticky sucker on the seat and melty crayons on the floor. My car is the mecca of childhood messiness because in the summer, we sometimes let things slide. But in my car, and those of my friends, I am the car seat police. They know that in my car, or any car in which my kid is riding, they better be in the right kind of seat and they better be buckled up. No exceptions, no excuses.

I am quite often struck by how many well-loved children (and their parents) think its perfectly fine to ride to the ballpark, to the neighbor’s house or just up the road a ways without a seat belt. It’s NOT.

If you don’t believe me, conduct a summer time favorite – a science experiment. (Your kids can help!) Take your car to an empty parking lot. Put several heavy objects in your kids' seats, maybe a nice big watermelon, or a sack full of groceries with some eggs and milk, or heck, a bucket filled with water balloons. If the kids are along, position them safely out of the way, near a building, in the shade. Go ahead and get in and be sure to buckle up. Now, drive up to about 10 miles per hour and then slam on your brakes. Your precious cargo will most definitely be jolted from the seats and may suffer some damage.

Was it scary?

Thank goodness your kids weren’t riding with you – unbuckled. Please, make it a priority. It is a no-brainer, so easy and it’s one rule that you should NEVER back down on – not even on summer vacation!

Safe & Sound Web map can help you get around closed bridges

Today, five more bridges have been closed around the state to allow them to be swiftly re-decked. Two more will close tomorrow. This means 36 bridges on the Safe & Sound program are under construction. Twenty-five have already been completed!

We understand that road closures are an inconvenience. But doing so allows the construction team to work as quickly as possible. It also controls cost by virtually eliminating the need to buy new right of way and to build lots of costly new sections of roadway.

Since last fall, MoDOT has been holding community briefings to prepare residents for the projects that are coming to their areas, and to learn of local constraints that may impact construction schedules. So far, so good. A recent survey of people who attended some of those events found that 90 percent of them felt the decision-making process was open, transparent and fair; 97.7 percent said MoDOT had explained the projects in a manner that was completely understandable; and 86 percent said they were satisfied with how their concerns were addressed.

One tool MoDOT has been using to help people cope with bridge closures is an interactive map on the MoDOT Web site. The map locates each of the 802 Safe & Sound bridges with icons of different colors that indicate where the bridge stands within the schedule -- a future commitment, construction within 12 months, construction within 3 months, under construction, and construction completed. Clicking on each icon gives you a picture of the bridge, facts about the bridge and the construction plans, and in most cases a suggested detour map to get around the construction site. The data is updated every day.

It might help your travels this summer.

Back Seat Driving with Trucks

My husband, Mr. Terrific (not his real name), and I did some interstate traveling this week with a good friend. As expected, we encountered several large trucks along the way. What with all the gorgeous Missouri hills and all, we had the opportunity to pass a few.

I reminded Mr. Terrific to re-enter the driving lane only when he saw the truck’s full grille in the rearview mirror. He also got reminders about keeping the truck’s big mirrors in view when driving behind one. (Yes, I was in the back seat.)

That started a discussion in our vehicle. Good Friend remarked how anxious she gets when driving near commercial trucks. I explained that truck drivers are among the most safety-conscious people I know. It’s built into their jobs as rolling businesspeople. They check their vehicle safety systems before they start their workday. They log the location and time of every start, stop and break because there are tough rules about the amount of time they can be behind the wheel. They pull over at weigh stations so the Highway Patrol can check their paperwork and vehicle for violations.

Good Friend didn’t know about all of that. She asked about the mud flaps that say “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.” They’re not kidding! The blind spots for trucks are HUGE. They’re located directly behind and in front of the truck and from the back bumper to almost the cab on the driver’s side and the front bumper on the passenger side.

I noticed that Mr. Terrific was leaving more space between our car and the trucks. “I guess in the end, it doesn’t matter whose fault a crash is…when it’s car versus commercial truck, it’s going to be bad news for the car.”

Smart guy, my Mr. Terrific.

Rarified ARRA

I apologize for the painful headline. Missouri joined only a handful of states this week, however, in an extremely important category.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the federal stimulus bill, required states to "obligate" 50 percent of discretionary transportation funds by June 30, 2009. MoDOT beat that goal by five weeks!

Meeting the requirement is important because states that don't could lose some of their stimulus money. Those funds could then be redistributed to states who have met the deadline ... like us here in the Show-Me State. That would mean more road, bridge and other transportation improvements throughout Missouri increasing safety and supporting jobs.

Speaking of jobs, that is what ARRA is all about. MoDOT started construction on the first stimulus project in the nation within minutes of President Obama signing the Recovery Act. We wanted to show that additional investment in transportation infrastructure would indeed mean jobs. To date MoDOT stimulus projects have supported 4,970 jobs here in Missouri.

For you policy wonks, here is the full news release and our ARRA Web site .

Get on the MoDOT Express Lane

Many of us just take our transportation system for granted, but when you think about it, transportation is one of the few things in life that affects all of us.

If you ever go anywhere or buy anything, then transportation affects you. Without a dependable transportation system, we couldn’t get to work, visit with friends and family or even get medical care when needed. Transportation is one of those things we rarely consider, but we rely on every day. So it makes sense that we should know what’s happening with transportation in Missouri – even if it’s just the basics.

How can you quickly and easily get basic – yet comprehensive – transportation information that you need to know? I think I can help you out. The MoDOT Express Lane is an electronic newsletter that I put together and send out twice a month directly to your e-mail account. This completely free electronic newsletter gives subscribers quick access to comprehensive, timely and easy-to-read transportation information, in a short, easy-to-read format. We cover topics like changing transportation laws, big projects in your area, statewide programs dealing with various issues like seat belt use, impaired driving and many others.

So, don't miss another issue! If you haven’t already, take a moment and get on the MoDOT Express Lane!

New Bridges Are Popping Up All Over

Since early spring, new bridges have been popping up all over Missouri as work has gotten underway on MoDOT's Safe & Sound bridge improvement program. As the Memorial Day weekend arrives, 23 new bridges have been completed and 26 more are under construction.

This bevy of activity is part of MoDOT's plan to improve or replace 802 of the state's worst bridges by Oct. 31, 2014. It started last fall when the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission directed MoDOT to launch the Safe & Sound program in two phases. The first was to take 248 bridges that could be rehabilitated and begin rolling them out for bids in innovative packages that grouped bridges by size, type or location. The second phase was to begin a design-build procurement to identify a team that could completely replace 554 bridges.

The bridge projects that have been completed so far are all part of that first phase, and they have been done 30 percent below budget.

In the coming months, though, even more bridge construction work is going to start as a result of actions taken yesterday by the Commission. They awarded a design-build contract to KTU Constructors to replace 554 bridges at a cost of $487 million. That price includes design, construction, project management and public outreach activities. It also protects MoDOT against inflation.

To pay for the program, MoDOT will sell bonds and repay them over 24 years within its budgeted amount of annual payments in the neighborhood of $50 million. KTU's price represents a savings in excess of $500 million over the life of the project compared to the prices that were quoted to MoDOT last fall when the department was seeking to launch this program with the contracting team providing private financing and 25-year maintenance.

KTU Constructors is a group of contractors and engineering firms. Kiewit Western Company of Omaha, Neb. is the lead and is joined by Traylor Bros., Inc., of Evansville, Ind., United Contractors, Inc., of Great Falls, S.C., HNTB Corporation of Kansas City, and The LPA Group of Columbia, S.C.

They have commited to completing their work by the end of 2013 -- a full 10 months earlier that required by MoDOT, and to average no more than 45 days closure for each bridge site. That is building at light speed! The normal MoDOT bridge project takes about 90 days.

In the coming weeks, KTU and MoDOT will finalize the design-build contract. KTU has indicated that it will open regional offices around the state to coordinate the complicated logistics associated with the project, and will be seeking Missouri subcontractors and materials suppliers to support their effort.

Besides replacing many of Missouri's worst bridges, Safe & Sound will put people to work. Using the same formula as used by the U.S. government for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects, Safe & Sound will support more than 5,300 jobs either directly or indirectly.

To speed construction and to control costs, most of these bridges will be closed for construction. To help motorists, MoDOT has launched an interactive map on its Web site that uses a series of color-coded icons to identify each bridge. Clicking on an icon allows the user to view detour and construction information. At least one of these bridges is located in every one of Missouri's 114 counties.

KTU officials yesterday indicated that once they are up and running, they will be delivering a completed bridge about every two days! That's amazing. They suggested that members of MoDOT's Safe & Sound team may want to purchase new running shoes because they'll be sprinting to keep up with them.

Since MoDOT director Pete Rahn first announced this program in 2006, other states have been watching with interest because a project like this has never been tackled before. Now it's become a reality. Don't be surprised if this type of system-wide bridge improvement project isn't copied by others, because every state struggles with how to manage its inventory of deteriorating bridges.

Use Your Head

One of the reasons I'm proud to work at MoDOT is that I've seen first-hand the passion employees at all levels have for safety. Through work with the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, I've been privileged to witness this in multiple Missouri organizations, and it's staggering to realize how many individuals are truly dedicated to making sure you and your loved ones arrive home safely each night.

That passion could not be hidden at a news conference yesterday where our director released survey results showing Missourians support a mandatory helmet law by more than a 9-to-1 ratio. He urged Gov. Nixon to veto a recently passed bill from the Missouri legislature amending the state's all-rider helmet law, a law that has saved lives for longer than my own lifetime.

Director Rahn was joined by a trauma surgeon, a motorcycle crash survivor and a doctor who lost his father to a motorcycle crash. The video below shares their comments. I hope you'll take a moment and consider the consequences of repealing Missouri's current helmet law. No matter the outcome, maintain your own passion for safety -- buckle up in your car and wear your helmet if you ride.

What do you want to see on MoDOT.org?

Hello! Matt Hiebert, MoDOT’s Web Manager here. I’m posting this because I want to get your input on some things. MoDOT’s Web site has more than 6,000 pages. It’s packed with information on projects, road conditions, job openings, MoDOT news, and business guidelines. But we want to know what else you’d like to see. When you visit MoDOT’s Web site at www.modot.org what info do you want available? Blogs dedicated to projects? More detailed contact info? More contests like Name the Train? We want to make sure you’re finding what you need when you need it. Let me know what you think about our current content and what else you want to see. Talk to me, folks!

Look Out! Top Ten Work Zones in Missouri

Just like Late Night With David Letterman, MoDOT has come up with a top 10 list of its own: the top 10 work zones most likely to cause traffic delays this travel season.

The list is ranked in order of impact based on traffic volume, amount of work and level of delay. A clickable map showing the top 10 work zones, along with a printable version of the map and project information, can be found at www.modot.org/.

Drive Smart and Slow Down in Work Zones!

High-Speed Rail

There was some good media coverage last week out of St. Louis about the Illinois DOT reaching an agreement with Union Pacific on implementing high-speed rail between Chicago - St. Louis. This is good for Missouri's St. Louis - Kansas City service because as their service gets faster and more reliable, it will mean better connections for Missouri riders and more pressure to improve our service. One thing to keep in mind is that the St. Louis - Chicago line has less freight train volume (5-10 trains / day) than our St. Louis - Kansas City line (50-60 trains / day). MoDOT has been a planning partner with Illinois DOT and seven other Mid-western states since 1996 on the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, which provides a template for all improvements being discussed. Illinois's news is good, we wish them well, and will be hopefully following closely behind!

Brian Weiler, MoDOT Multimodal Director

Great Partners!

I had the opportunity to participate this week in the second annual MoDOT Day at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Jefferson City. Several divisions of MoDOT set up presentations and activities for the eighth graders as part of Partners in Education so they could learn about transportation careers and opportunities in a hands-on, interactive way.

Our community relations group set up a camera and teleprompter to let students record a video that could be used for media or the web. Many had never been in front of a camera like that before and it was great to watch them try out a broadcasting career.

Students also had the chance to sift through dirt in a mini-archeological dig, put together truss bridges, run a quick-click relay race and see just how large those stoplights really are.

Looking forward to next year!

Get Your Buckle On

Buckling up is a habit for me. Even if it weren’t, my car would make sure it was with its constant beeping. In the next few weeks, I will have another reminder – red and blue flashing lights.

Law enforcement officers will be cracking down on unbelted drivers May 18-31 for an aggressive national “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

$10 will buy you two Subway footlongs or one Missouri seat belt ticket. I'd prefer my $5 footlongs (cold cut combo, anyone?).

Wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to reduce injuries and fatalities in a crash because it provides protection from being ejected and keeps motorists from smashing into windshields, dashboards and other passengers. Don’t believe me? Watch this video.

This video has left a permanent imprint on my mind. I make sure everyone else in the car is wearing his or her seat belt. Sometimes this can make for an awkward conversation, but it doesn't have to be. Reminding a friend or family member to buckle up has never been easier.

Follow us on Twitter for updates on Click It or Ticket events, weekly citations and unbuckled fatalities. Buckle up and Arrive Alive!

How much litter could a litter picker pick if a litter picker could pick litter?

As a kid I was always taught to clean up my trash, or hold onto it until I could throw it away. Unfortunately, not everyone waits until they have a trash can handy, and litter can end up along Missouri highways.
The great news is that so many volunteers across the state Adopt-A-Highway in order to keep Missouri roadsides clean. More than 4,000 groups in the state take care of more than 5,700 miles.

Now the St. Louis area is using a cool tool this summer to clean up roadsides safely and efficiently. The Litter Picker can remove retreads, papers, cans, cardboard, cups, wood, road kill and litter. It can hold 50 bags of trash at one time and can cover up to eight acres per hour. The model of the Litter Picker that MoDOT has can be completely operated by one person from a towing tractor.

I wish I could get a smaller version to help pick up all the stray toys at my house.

Get Your Kicks at the I-44 Conway Welcome Center

If you get the urge while motoring west – or east for that matter on Interstate 44, roll into the new Conway Welcome Centers near mile marker 111. The Route 66 themed facilities feature amenities that both casual and commercial travelers enjoy.

I attended the official ribbon cutting for the sites Monday, May 4. Along with hundreds of Route 66 fans, historic car owners and surprised travelers, I boogied to music performed by Conway, Mo., high school students.

After checking out the restroom facilities, I hit the playground, pet areas, and the vending area. Machines offer sandwiches, drinks and snacks – a much better selection than I expected. The picnic shelters seemed the best place to chow down and I had my choice of mini-pavilions built to resemble diners, garages, filling stations and other businesses seen along the “Mother Road”.

Even the parking areas are cool. Dozens of passenger vehicles can park in the car area and drivers of up to 75 large commercial and recreational vehicles can take a break in the large, well-lit “back 40”. My commercial driver friends say that compared to the former rest area at this location, that’s at least three times the number of spaces for them to rest from the road. That’s important. I want everyone driving near me to be well rested and up to the task.

First-day visitors raved about the Route 66 map floor inlay, historical displays and friendly tourist-information aides. While children christened the playground with their antics I heard their elders reminisce about trips taken in years gone by.

Next time you’re traveling on I-44 down from St. Louie or Joplin, Missouri, stop into a modern tribute to a legendary era. It’s so, so pretty!