Kris Sandgren's Arrival

"Not for himself, but to bring awareness to the 130 MoDOT employees that have been killed in the line of duty." - MoDOT's Interim Director Kevin Keith

Kris Sandgren arrived in Jefferson City yesterday afternoon to applause and cheers from MoDOT employees, including Interim Director Kevin Keith. Kris received a customized bicycle jersey designating him as a "highway hero" and a proclamation from Governor Nixon noting his outstanding accomplishment. Watch below for Kris' own remarks about the true motivation behind this ride.

Kris has done a remarkable job bringing attention to how vital it is to watch out for workers when traveling in a work zone. Across nine states, he was able to meet with citizens and media to offer a personal perspective on how lives can be saved by slowing down and paying attention.

Look for more information and stories from his trip in a future post, as we have a chance to sit down with Kris and hear about what it's really like to pedal so many miles. If his trip inspires you, consider a donation to the fallen workers' memorial honoring the lives that put his pedals in gear.



If you would like to make a donation or pledge by the mile in support of his ride:
Make check payable to:

State Highway & Transportation Employees
Association of Missouri

Mail to:
Fallen Workers' Memorial
c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union
3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A
Joplin, MO 64804
Attention: Dave B. Taylor

Welcome Back Kris Sandgren!

MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren completes day 28 today of his 2,600-mile ride from Anacortes, WA, to Jefferson City, MO, in honor of MoDOT's fallen workers. He will ride into Jefferson City around 1 p.m. today to circle the Missouri State Capitol Building and receive a welcome from MoDOT's Interim Director Kevin Keith and fellow employees.

Watch for an upcoming post where we interview Kris and learn more details and stories from his trip. We're so glad to know he is safely finishing up his journey. His ride has been a truly meaningful way to bring attention to the importance of work zone awareness and to honor his fellow workers that have lost their lives in a work zone.

Below are some updates from his last few days of his trip. Welcome back to Missouri!

Day 23 -- Wednesday, July 14

Kris takes the day off in Omaha, NE, and spends it with the friends he stayed with Tuesday night. He is the guest of Greg and Nancy Schuerman and their two children. "It seems weird to me today to not be pedaling." Instead he accompanies the family to the zoo. It's a very hot day with a hot breeze from the south. He's glad he decided to stay off the road.

Day 24 -- Thursday, July 15

Less wind today and the heat moderates slightly, so his ride south out of Omaha on U.S. 75 goes well. He is about to cross the Missouri River toward Rock Port on U.S. 136 and spots a Welcome to Missouri sign. "I'm just tickled to death." He calls it a day and puts up his tent at a KOA campground at Rock Port.

Day 25 -- Friday, July 16

Out of Rock Port, Kris zig-zags on various roads and winds up having to detour around a flood damaged area and head back into Nebraska at Rulo, NE. He heads south again and, traveling about 70 miles, winds up in Atchison, KS. He notes that Atchison is the girlhood home of famous 1930s pilot Amelia Earhart. Kris stops at a house on the city's outskirts and asks permission of a couple to fill his water bottles from their outside faucet. In easy conversation with the couple, Kris explains the purpose of his bicycle trek. The couple take an interest and invite him to stay with them overnight. That evening, they take him to an outdoor country-music concert at an annual festival in Atchison. "It was .. an offer I couldn't refuse."

Day 26 -- Saturday, July 17

High temperatures, humidity and hilly terrain make the going tough. He rides 73 miles between Atchison, KS, and Holt, MO, northeast of Kansas City. "My eyes were burning like crazy from all the salty sweat." He often stops, wipes his face and puts on his reading glasses. He keeps having to consult a map because of the many different roads he must follow. He finally stops in a shady spot at about 3:30 p.m. and lies down to rest. "It was about to cook me." He resumes riding at 5 p.m. and rolls into Holt where he stops at a small hotel. The air conditioning in his room does not work. The day is "not much to brag about."

Day 27 -- Sunday, July 18

Kris is able to cover 115 miles on another hot, muggy day. The most challenging part is crossing the Laramie River west of Boonville. He uses a wide shoulder on I-70 for a short distance but finds no shoulder on the bridge. He tries to hitch a ride for 30 minutes but no takers. He pedals right up to the bridge and waits another 30 minutes for a break in traffic to pedal across. Almost to the east end of the bridge, he has his first flat tire of the trip. But the tire holds enough air for him to make it across. He pulls off the road and replaces the tire. Kris reaches Boonville in the early evening and spends the night in a nice motel in a room with a working air conditioner. He' looking forward to finishing the ride Tuesday in Jefferson City. "It's almost like I'm going to make it."

Day 28 -- Monday, July 19

Another hot, high-humidity day. Kris is taking his time heading toward Jefferson City. He will stay the night somewhere close.
Kris plans to ride to the Capitol and MoDOT's Central Office by 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 20.

If you would like to make a donation or pledge by the mile in support of his ride:
Make check payable to:

State Highway & Transportation Employees
Association of Missouri

Mail to:
Fallen Workers' Memorial
c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union
3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A
Joplin, MO 64804
Attention: Dave B. Taylor

Barrel Bob Rolls Back Into Town

He may have lost his hard hat, but Barrel Bob was recovered in a field in Johnson County and is now safely back at his Kansas City home. He's resting up for a big engagement in a few weeks at the Missouri State Fair.

Bob had gone missing from his busy work zone at U.S. 50 and Bynum Road in Lone Jack over a week ago. We're so glad to know he's back safely, and hope that's true for all of MoDOT's workers each day on the job.

Barrel Bob, developed as part of the kcICON project, is a creation of Robert Ohl, a Clarkson Construction employee. All labor and materials were donated to create Barrel Bob, which took about ten hours to build. Barrel Betty, also a donation from Ohl and Clarkson Construction, joined Bob on the job this past February.

Welcome Back!

Route 100 Widens

MoDOT and the City of Washington recently celebrated the opening of the new lanes on Route 100 between Interstate 44 and Route 47 in Washington. The widening of Route 100 will improve the capacity and safety of the highway for Franklin County motorists.

The Route was also awarded the special name of Veterans Memorial Highway, honoring those who have served our country. Residents were invited to come and walk, bike or run on the new stretch of road before the ceremony.

Searching for Barrel Bob

Where in the world is Barrel Bob now? What was intended as a fun, but informative safety campaign ended with an act of vandalism this weekend. Bob was taken from his location at U.S. 50 and Bynum Road without authorization on Sunday evening.

Barrel Bob was placed in a very active construction zone to send a safety message - to slow down and drive safely in work zones. Unfortunately his message was not taken seriously.

"We would very much like to see him returned and we are working with the police to find him," said Perry Allen, Construction and Materials Engineer. "Since 2000, 15 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty. Bob is the literal representation of how important driver awareness is to the safety of workers in the construction zone."

Allen encourages anyone with information about Barrel Bob's location to contact the Lone Jack Police Department or MoDOT at 888-275-6636.

While intended to be clever and eye catching, the Barrels also represent a very important message about taking it slow through work zones. With the loss of Barrel Bob an innovative education campaign on safety is no longer available.

Barrel Bob, developed as part of the kcICON project, is a creation of Robert Ohl, a Clarkson Construction employee. All labor and materials were donated to create Barrel Bob, which took about ten hours to build. Barrel Betty, also a donation from Ohl and Clarkson Construction, joined Bob on the job this past February.

A Windy Week

MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren completed day 22 of his 2,600-mile ride from Anacortes, WA to Jefferson City, MO, in honor of MoDOT's fallen workers. Learn more about what inspired his ride, and check back here for more updates as he heads south for the rest of his trip.

Day 21 -- Monday, July 12

Kris keeps traveling east across southern South Dakota and hits Sioux City, IA, just after noon. He's riding in light rain. He skirts Sioux City, pedaling in fast traffic across a bridge over the Missouri River as close to the outer railing as he could. He puts his head down and pushes hard. "I didn't look back," he said.

He continues south on U.S. 75 along the west side of the river. He encounters hills north of Tekamah, NE, and is chased by dogs -- three of them -- for the first time on the ride. He grabs his canine repellent. "I just gave the lead dog a shot and the other two quit on their own." He has dinner at a Subway in Tekamah and checks into a local motel, small but clean. "I seem to be wearing down on the camping thing." Besides it looks like rain again and he doesn't want to be outdoors.

Day 22 -- Tuesday, July 13

Before leaving Tekamah, NE, Kris visits with the editor of the Burt County Plaindealer. Kris hits the road mid-morning and encounters strong head winds as he approaches Omaha, NE. "The wind is tormenting me. It blessed me across Montana. Now it's cursing me." He plans to spend the night with friends in Omaha.

Watch for more details as Kris completes the last days of his journey.
If you would like to make a donation or pledge by the mile in support of his ride:


Make check payable to:
State Highway & Transportation Employees
Association of Missouri
Mail to:
Fallen Workers' Memorial
c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union
3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A
Joplin, MO 64804
Attention: Dave B. Taylor

MoDOT Demolishes, then Recycles, Route 40 Bridge

Everyone knows you can recycle that old cereal box, your soda can from dinner and even a glass bottle, but what about a bridge? Yeah, you can recycle that! On July 10, the MoDOT-Kansas City district demolished the Route 40 bridge over Interstate 435, began the process to recycle 100 percent of the debris.

Built in 1966, the bridge is constructed of materials that are readily recycled today. After demolition, crews will retrieve:

• 2578 tons concrete, which will be used for base rock material or as rock ditch liner,

• 210 tons reinforcing steel, will be collected and delivered to a recycler,

• 579 feet of aluminum handrail, will also be collected and delivered to a recycler.

“Recycling our materials is a priority in this job,” Said MoDOT Construction and Materials Engineer Perry Allen. “One hundred percent of this bridge is recyclable and we plan to salvage all 100 percent.”

Large-scale recycling is not a new concept for the department. MoDOT leads the nation in the number of recycled roof shingles added to asphalt mixtures.

• 325,000 tons of concrete and asphalt were recycled and reused during the reconstruction of a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 64 in St. Louis.

• When the Route 19 Missouri River Bridge near Hermann was taken down, about 2,000 tons of steel from the structure was recycled.

• MoDOT has used enough recycled tires in its construction projects over the past two years to equip 20,000 cars.

• About 70 percent of state highway signs are produced from reclaimed material.

• Using the latest technology, MoDOT can actually recycle entire asphalt roads.

Bridge demolition is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded project to add a third lane to I-70 in each direction and improve the interchange at I-435. It also will include removing and replacing the Blue Ridge Cutoff (George Brett) Bridge over I-70 next year.

More than 50 local citizens and media stayed up into the wee hours on Sunday to watch the explosion, and treated the crew to a rousing round of applause.

The House that Cans Built

When you recycle, you really can make a difference.

Aluminum cans recycled from Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains will now be donated to the River City Habitat for Humanity in Jefferson City, Mo., to help build a house for a deserving family.

Starting this week, aluminum cans collected from the twice-daily St. Louis-Kansas City service will be dropped off daily at the capital city Amtrak station. The River City Habitat for Humanity's Aluminum Can Recycling Committee will use the proceeds from the cans on a home currently under construction at 815 Montana in Jefferson City. The project is known as the "house that cans built" because it's primarily funded by the group's recycling committee and programs such as this one by Amtrak passengers.

"Amtrak is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation and we are striving to make it even greener in Missouri," said MoDOT Rail Administrator Rod Massman. "By implementing a recycling program, we will reduce waste and help protect the environment. At the same time, we will help a family realize the American dream of owning a home."

Eco-savvy Amtrak riders can now recycle aluminum cans across the national network of Amtrak trains. Amtrak is committed to making recycling an integral part of train travel and strives to protect the environment and conserve its resources by reusing material, recycling waste and preventing pollution.

Make Your Own Great Memories at the Missouri State Fair

Ok, usually I try to eat pretty healthy, but every summer I look forward to attending the Missouri State Fair and sampling the foot-long corn dogs, kettle corn, fried Twinkies and other assorted fair food. Whether you visit the fair every summer, or have never been – this summer is a great time to come to the State Fair, and not just for the food!

“Growing Great Memories” is the theme for this year’s fair which runs Aug. 12-22. Besides the concerts, rides, shows and other exhibits, you can come visit MoDOT in our ever-popular shady Highway Gardens and air-conditioned Transportation Exposition Center.

The Expo Center will be fully loaded with interactive displays on the department’s programs and activities including games, contests and giveaways. Kids can participate in a transportation scavenger hunt, and play driving-related computer games. New displays will stress the importance of not texting and driving, a bridge display will feature pieces from an actual bridge, and a couple of other brand new things to see.

Our annual No MOre Trash! Day will be held on Friday, Aug. 13, with special activities including appearances by Buttons the Clown, trash can painting, games, snacks and a puppet show. MoDOT will stress the importance of litter prevention and keeping Missouri’s roadways clean of trash and debris. Adopt-A-Highway and Sponsor-A-Highway tables will be set-up for those interested in signing up to participate in these programs.

So, after you’ve grabbed your corndog and seen a pig race or two, head on over to our building and let us educate and entertain you for a bit. Don’t forget to pick up your FREE state road map.

Admission to the State Fair varies by day and time. Normal daily admission is $8. Visit mostatefair.com to find out more.

Missouri Miles

In part one of Missouri Miles for July, we show you how MoDOT is saving money by cleaning signs instead of replacing them. Then we take you inside a big rig for the Missouri Truck Driving Championship in Springfield, Missouri. In part two, learn everything you need to know about driving around a roundabout. We take you on a bike ride in Jefferson City as a fundraiser for the MoDOT Memorial Fund, as well as remind you that "The Heat is On" this summer!
All that and more in this month's edition of Misouri Miles.

Kris Sandgren's Ride, Day 15

MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren completed day 15 of his 2,600-mile ride from Anacortes, WA to Jefferson City, MO, in honor of MoDOT's fallen workers. Learn more about what inspired his ride, and check back here for more updates as he heads south for the rest of his trip.

After leaving Ray this morning in northwestern North Dakota, Kris pedals south to New Town, ND, where he visits with the weekly New Town News on Main Street across from the Jack and Jill market. His progress slows a bit.

"I'm in really hilly country now," said Sandgren.

It's a rolling, grass-covered landscape. He notices an increase in big-truck traffic related to an oil drilling boom in the region. He catches sight of the Missouri River. Late afternoon, he's fatigued and chilly on an overcast day and decides to hitch a ride. "I cheated. ... I just put my thumb out when I saw a pickup truck coming." The truck stops. An oil field construction inspector from Wyoming gives Kris and his bicycle a lift about 30 miles to Garrison, ND. Kris then pedals 12 miles to the Totten Trail campground east of Garrison. He pitches his tent and turns in. He looks forward to an "easy" 67-mile push further south to Bismarck, ND, on Wednesday, July 7.

If you would like to make a donation or pledge by the mile in support of his ride:

Make check payable to:

State Highway & Transportation Employees
Association of Missouri

Mail to:

Fallen Workers' Memorial
c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union
3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A
Joplin, MO 64804
Attention: Dave B. Taylor

Forewarnings for the Fourth

So I was on the phone with my mom this morning and of course the first thing she said was, “So, what are your weekend plans? You know you need to be careful for the Fourth!”

Now with me being 22 years-old and all you would think she would have given up on worrying about what I’m doing on that particular weekend. But every year around this time I can expect to get that same phone call.

However, thinking about the large amount of traffic accidents and other fatalities that occur during this busy weekend, maybe having a worrisome, cautious mother may actually be a good thing. Last year there were a reported 82 minor injuries and 11 fatalities in Missouri during the Fourth of July weekend.

Many of these injuries were due to complete carelessness while driving. And with so many activities going on this weekend in the bigger cities like St. Louis and Kansas City, a lot of people are just anxious to hop in the car and go. Meanwhile, they are neglecting to take the necessary precautions when they are on the highway.

Not to worry though. Missouri Law Enforcement will be establishing sobriety check points until July 5, making sure to keep drunk drivers from harming others. And let’s not forget that the HEAT is still on. With the HEAT campaign in full effect, speeders, texters and those neglecting to wear their seat belts should be prepared to wipe the sweat from their brow, as they will be caught!

As a final word to the wise, make sure to be extra careful on the highways for the holiday. While you may be taking the appropriate measures to stay safe, others may not. And even if you’re grown, it might be a good idea to listen to your mom, at least this weekend.

Maiden Voyage for the M/V Mary Lynn

Make way for the M/V Mary Lynn and her maiden voyage up the Missouri River!

AgriServices of Brunswick, Missouri continue their waterway shipping efforts with a new 3800 horsepower shallow draft boat that will be used exclusively on the Missouri River. The M/V Mary Lynn's first assignment is a whopper! This powerful boat will bring with it a 160’x100’x8’ Ringer Barge with a Manitowoc 4100 Ringer Crane on it, plus, a 1000 hp push boat called the M/V Cleva Lee that will get dropped off at the Amelia Earhart Bridge Project located at mile marker 422.5 in Atchison, Kanses. Four empty hopper barges will also be in tow that will soon head to Blair, Nebraska to get loaded full of alfalfa pellets.

This new boat for AgriServices of Brunswick will be used for bigger tows. Kevin Holcer, with AgriServices of Brunswick says waterway traffic is increasing and this is another effort to move more freight and encourage more shipping on the Missouri River. Holcer says the waterway shipping year on the Missouri River is going well so far, aside from a few delays due to high water. Though, I'd have to assume a few delays due to high water is far better than extremely low water levels that shippers where plagued with the previous 8 years. Waterway shipping on the Missouri River was basically non-existent since 2002. Not only is river shipping back on the Missouri River, we have new boats like the M/V Mary Lynn that can tow bigger loads to help keep the momentum going for waterway traffic.

The crane the M/V Mary Lynn has on it is quite a sight. You can follow the progress of the M/V Mary Lynn on MoDOT's twitter page, plus, if you time it right through twitter... you can go see this large shipping load on the Missouri River with your own eyes!

Massive Concrete Girders are a Missouri First

The single-longest, precast, concrete bridge girders in Missouri state history were installed this week on MoDOT's kcICON design-build project. The 150-foot girders are part of a new land bridge that will span northbound Interstate 29/35 and carry southbound Interstate 29/35 traffic headed for The Paseo, Independence Avenue, and points beyond.

"Imagine a single, I-shaped piece of concrete that stretches from a football field's end zone to the 50-yard line," said kcICON Project Director Brian Kidwell. "Moving just one of these 150,000 pound girders is like lifting the equivalent weight of 70 classic Volkswagen Beetles."

Learn more about the girders from MoDOT Engineer Tom Skinner in this podcast.

Visit the project Web site at http://www.kcicon.com/ or find them on facebook by searching "kcICON project."
 

BOOM!

The cracks, pops and booms that explode each Fourth of July are much like the fireworks that take place when bridges go down with a bang after new, safer structures have been erected.

Missouri has 10,335 bridges on the state system and the most major river bridges in the nation with 53. The average cost to build a major bridge runs from $30 million to $80 million, with some structures costing as much as $300 million. With bridges playing a major role in the state’s transportation system, Missouri has seen a fair share of bridge demolitions.

In the spirit of Independence Day, MoDOT has pulled together a compilation of bridge demolitions. Let the fireworks begin!
 

Many the Miles

MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren is now on day 10 of his 2,600-mile bicycle ride to raise money for a fallen workers' memorial in Missouri.

Today, Kris Sandgren is pedaling across the Continental Divide on U.S. Route 2 at the south edge of Glacier National Park. This is rugged country in northwestern Montana. His legs are feeling much better after experiencing soreness over the weekend. "I'm in the groove now," he said late Wednesday afternoon. He spoke while sitting outside the Super 1 Foods grocery store in Columbia Falls. He had just replenished his food supply, buying an apple, bananas, granola bars and orange juice.

On Tuesday, June 29, Kris spent the night near Fortine, MT, in an air-conditioned RV. He had asked a couple if he could pitch his tent on their property. They said absolutely not. They told him he could stay in their fifth-wheel travel trailer, having been prepared for out-of-town guests arriving later in the week. "They wouldn't take any money from me," Kris said. A good night's sleep and a hot shower boosted Kris' spirits and energy level. The night before, Kris had been stuck for three hours inside a campground restroom -- wide awake -- where had taken refuge during a severe thunderstorm.

Yesterday, Kris made the ski resort town of Whitefish, MT, where a friendly photographer at the Whitefish Pilot newspaper took Kris' photo on downtown's Central Avenue. Matt also told Kris of a shortcut out of town, saving him a few miles on his way toward West Glacier, MT.

Kris plans to travel about 65 miles into East Glacier Park by the end of today.

Be on the Watch for Paving Scams

With warmer weather comes the urge to tackle those home improvement projects. And while reputable contracting companies are the rule and not the exception, we want to remind you to be on the lookout for traveling dealers pitching driveway paving offers that are too good to be true.

Specifically, be wary of paving companies that approach your home claiming to have extra asphalt left over from a job and offering to pave your driveway. Workmanship can be poor and the costs can be much higher than what was originally quoted.

Most contractors doing business in Missouri are ethical and reliable and provide quality craftsmanship and service. The traveling dealers give legitimate firms a black eye because it's difficult to follow up with them and they often provide little or no preparation work, use cheap or not enough material and employ untrained or inexperienced workers.

The Better Business Bureau recommends the following steps to protect yourself against less than reputable paving companies:

• Ask for local references and verify that the contractor is in compliance with local licensing, bonding and insuring requirements.

• Ask for identification and make a note of the license plate number on the contractor's vehicle.

• Solicit two or three bids for the work you are planning, but don't automatically accept the lowest.

• Make sure all bids are based on the same materials.

• Read all agreements and guarantees before signing.

• Make sure you understand all terms and conditions.

• Never sign a contract with sections left blank.

• Do not pay for work in advance. Pay by check when the work is completed to your satisfaction.

You can contact the Better Business Bureau with any complaints by visiting http://www.bbb.org/. Consumers can also verify the status of a contractor with the Department of Consumer Protection at 800-842-2649.

Drunk-Driving Memorial Highway Signs Now Available

I’ve never lost a friend or loved one in a traffic crash, so I can only imagine the heartbreak involved. Add to that a senseless and preventable death due to an impaired driver and it’s absolutely heartbreaking.

Well, now families of drunk-driving victims can memorialize their loved ones with signs along our highways. Not only does this offer families a chance to remember their loved ones, but a way to send a message to others about the dangers 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." The signs can be requested and paid for by the family of a drunk-driving victim.

The signs are the result of a new law called, David’s Law. Twenty-six years ago, David Poenicke was 19 when he was killed on his way home from a Cardinals baseball game. He pulled his motorcycle over to the shoulder of I-270 when a passing car struck him and his motorcycle. The driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.14 and was charged with manslaughter and vehicular injury. The first sign from the new program was installed today on Interstate 270 in Florissant in his honor.

Impaired driving continues to be a problem in Missouri. In 2009, 280 people were killed in our state, 1,140 seriously injured and 3,719 received minor injuries in crashes involving an impaired driver. Hopefully these new signs help get people to think twice before driving impaired.

Applications for the memorial signs are available on MoDOT’s website.

Saved by the Heat

Now that Missouri Law Enforcement has taken its mark and the HEAT is On Campaign is in full effect, I started to think about one of the most dreadful road trip experiences I ever had in my life.

One boring weekend in Columbia, 11 of my friends and I decided to take a two- day adventure to St. Louis. I opted out of driving my car, but three others volunteered. So we piled up in all three cars and headed out to the highway. Little did I know that this two-hour car ride was going to be beyond awful!

Not only did my friend do between 85 and 90 MPH the whole way there, but she also decided to text and neglected to wear her seatbelt. We heard the tires hit the rumble strips alongside the highway several times as she almost swerved off of the highway.

All of my friends including myself asked her to slow down, put her seat belt on, and even call instead of texting. But we got the textbook response, “stop being a backseat driver!” In my opinion, she was the one that needed to be in the backseat.

Reflecting on that horrible experience made me wonder if many other drivers my age behave so recklessly on the highways. If so, Missouri Law Enforcement officers have their work cut out for them. And I’m all the more grateful that they are turning up the HEAT this summer, keeping unsafe drivers off the road.

Speeders, texters and drivers who neglect to wear their seatbelts beware, as you will all be under the radar on Missouri highways. Law enforcement will also be cracking down on alcohol offenders.

Although the HEAT campaign will be over in September, Missouri drivers should always drive safely so that experiences like the one had that weekend never occur.

To learn more about “The HEAT is On” Campaign please visit saveMOlives.org.

Saving Signs

Teens and others may think it's a hoot to vandalize highway signs with spray paint and paintballs.

Not us.

We think it's ripping off taxpayers who have to foot the bill for a new sign, and that's money that could go to road repairs.

So we're fighting back. We're the first transportation department in the nation to test various paint removers on highway signs so they can be cleaned rather than replaced. And we're pleased to report our efforts have met with success.

While there are many paint removal products on the market, the trick was finding one that wouldn't render a highway sign "dead," meaning it wouldn't strip away the materials that make the sign reflective at night or leave a shadow where the paint hit. Our crews recently put the products to work on several signs near LaMonte, Mo., with positive results, and we'll be sharing our findings with other states.

Cleaning a sign rather than replacing it saves as much as $1,000 depending on the sign's size. That might not take away the thrill some folks get from hearing the splat of a paintball hitting a highway sign, but it sure makes us feel better.

Reflecting on the Ride for Remembrance

Nothing but beautiful people and beautiful memories graced the Jaycee’s Fairgrounds last weekend as co-workers, friends and loved ones attended the 2010 Ride for Remembrance in honor of MoDOT workers killed in the line of duty.

Although it was scheduled to rain the day of the celebration, attendance was high. I was happy to see the many motorcyclists that came to participate. One of the most memorable moments was when family members released white balloons into the air in honor of their loved ones. Seeing so many people in cheerful spirits reminded me that the day was not meant to mourn losses, but to celebrate lives.

I had never been to such a ceremony and was very touched by all of the activities that took place. As much as I was touched, I was also tickled by the MoDOT Divas performance. The singing group is made up of three MoDOT employees who sang beautifully at the celebration. I must admit that the dunk tank contest was quite amusing as well. The cool water must have felt good to the employees that participated on such a humid and muggy day.

While the Ride for Remembrance celebration has only been around since last year, I am sure it will be an event that co-workers and family members will continue to enjoy throughout the years.

Many of us know what it feels like to lose someone that we love, but a helping hand always eases the pain. The Ride for Remembrance celebration was certainly a very fun and sincere way for MoDOT employees to extend themselves to such deserving families.

All of the funds raised at the Ride for Remembrance celebration went towards the fallen workers' memorial. For more information about the celebration or to donate to the memorial, please visit http://www.moshea.org/.

Sun Power

When the racers in the American Solar Challenge roll into Jefferson City on Tuesday, June 22, for a checkpoint at the Capitol, they will be greeted with a portable highway sign bearing the message, "Welcome Solar Racers."

So what, you might ask?

Well, the cool thing is the sign is powered by the sun just like the cars in the race. Using solar power is just one way MoDOT strives to be energy efficient and a good steward of the environment.

One of MoDOT's hybrid bucket trucks will also be on display at the Energy and Innovation Fair sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the race check point. MoDOT was the first government agency in the nation to test the energy-saving diesel-electric truck.

The department is also a leader in using alternative fuels and recycled roof shingles in asphalt. Plus, each year MoDOT crews pick up more than 80,000 tires that are left on state highways. The tires are ground up and used as fuel at power plants.

So it's just natural - no pun intended - that MoDOT is helping sponsor the Solar Challenge Race event. You can find out more about the race at www.dnr.mo.gov/solarrace.htm. More information about MoDOT's green efforts can be found at www.modot.org/goinggreen/conservation.htm.

A Vacation to Remember

When I plan a vacation, it usually involves relaxing and doing as little as possible. For MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren, his plans are much more noble.

Sandgren is a Maintenance Crew Leader with MoDOT and an avid bicyclist from Springfield, Mo.. Today, he began a 2,600 mile bicycle journey today to bring attention to the importance of work zone safety and raise money for a Missouri Fallen Workers' Memorial.

"When I first heard about the monument, I thought it was a great idea," Sandgren said. "Some of our losses were close to home. It made me think about the monument a lot harder when it happened to people I knew."

Sandgren left from Anacortes, Wash., to spend three weeks of his own vacation time pedaling through seven states. He will ride approximately 100 miles per day and end his journey in Jefferson City, Mo. In between, he will travel through Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa.

Since 1932, 130 MoDOT employees have died in the line of duty. Sandgren's ride highlights the importance of slowing down and using extra caution when traveling through a work zone and honors those workers who have lost their lives.

The memorial will be paid for entirely by private donations. About half of the needed $94,000 has been raised. The planned location is near the MoDOT headquarters building in Jefferson City, on the Capitol grounds.

To make a donation or pledge by the mile:

Make check payable to:

State Highway & Transportation Employees

Association of Missouri

Mail to:

Fallen Workers Memorial

c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union

3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A

Joplin, MO 64804

Attention: Dave B. Taylor

Cell Phone Chronicles

Now I know many Missourians think you have it bad ever since the text messaging law went into effect last summer. But Illinois, my friends, is a whole different ball game.
One night, while driving home from the city after a night out with some friends, who else but a Chicago police officer pulls me over while stopped at a red light. And why was I pulled over? Two words: cell phone.
It was brought to my attention that night that the city of Chicago prohibits the use of a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle, PERIOD. Not only are drivers banned from placing or accepting calls without a hands-free device, but they are also restricted from composing or reading messages. These messages can be instant messages, text messages and even emails and Internet content.
Although I was annoyed with being stopped for a cell phone violation, the truth is that I try not to make a habit of using my phone in any way while driving. It is rather distracting.
I must admit that Missouri's new text messaging law somewhat bothers me simply because it only applies to those 21 and under. However, after being stopped I now understand that the true goal behind it is to make Missouri roads safer. Who can truly argue with that?
No matter how mad I must have been after receiving a ticket for using my cell phone, looking back on the experience, I am happy that I did. This year, the National Safety Council reported that 3 percent of all traffic accidents could be caused by texting. This year alone Missouri has experienced about 562 traffic accidents caused by cell phone use.
These numbers are pretty serious and I certainly do not want to contribute to them in any way. And as much as it pains me to see past the irritation that texting and other traffic laws may bring, it made me feel better to think that one less person texting while driving could save one, two or even three more lives.

Congratulations to Our Winners!

Just in time for the official start of summer, Tina Armstrong of St. Louis and Donald Steward of Linn Creek will soon be riding the Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains and enjoying a major league baseball game and other attractions in Kansas City and St. Louis. Armstrong and Steward are the “Catch a Train, Catch a Game” grand prize winners, randomly selected from more than 8,300 entries.

Amtrak, MoDOT and the Missouri Division of Tourism co-sponsored the sweepstakes to encourage tourism and train travel in Missouri. It was launched on May 8 in celebration of National Train Day (May 8, 2010) and National Travel and Tourism Week (May 8 – 16, 2010).

MoDOT Rail Administrator Rod Massman said the contest is a way to “motivate more people to take the Missouri River Runner because it is an exciting way to travel across the state and experience many great family-friendly destinations.”

The grand prize winners were announced earlier today via MoDOT’s, Tourism’s and the Missouri River Runner’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. All prizes were donated.

Steward won the Cardinals Grand Prize, which consists of four Amtrak Missouri River Runner round-trip tickets; four tickets to the Cardinals baseball game on July 17, 2010; a stay at the Millennium Hotel-St. Louis; and four passes to ride a tram to the top of the Arch.

Armstrong won the Royals Grand Prize: four Amtrak Missouri River Runner round-trip tickets; four tickets to the Royals baseball game on June 26, 2010; a stay at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; and four passes for Science City at Union Station Kansas City.

Congratulations to our winners!

All About a Roundabout

Not many people enjoy traffic congestion, extra pollution or intersections that consistently include speeding drivers. These issues are not only annoying, but potentially dangerous. To alleviate these concerns, MoDOT is changing the shape of some traditional traffic signal intersections … into circles.

A Roundabout is a one-way circle of traffic that motorists yield into to keep traffic moving. Once drivers enter the roundabout, they will continue to circle around until they exit on the street they want to continue on. Roundabouts help keep traffic flowing, plus emissions decrease because cars aren’t idling at red lights. Roundabouts force motorists to slow down and they remove the chance of a driver speeding through a yellow or red light.

Navigating through a roundabout is simple, but it’s understandable if you aren’t 100 percent sure on how they work. Watch our new video below to see what a roundabout is, how to drive through one and the many other benefits of these intersections.

Sunrise on Route 87

Just had to share a couple of pictures our photographer, Cathy Morrison, caught of a beautiful sunrise along Route 87. She was driving to an early morning assignment on the Glasgow Bridge, but stopped to grab a few of these great shots on the way.

Championing Workforce Diversity

kcICON Project team member Jontell Jones was bestowed the 2010 Rosa Parks Award at the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity’s fifth annual Imagine Banquet held June 10 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center.

MORE2’s Rosa Parks Award is given to individuals or companies who exemplify the courage to stay the course and change the inequity in the metro area.

Just over two years ago, Jones, 28, with two children, was working construction jobs that paid cash and provided no benefits. Jones was then hired by Paseo Corridor Constructors to participate in the On-the-Job Trainee Program offered through kcICON Project.

MoDOT provides up to $1.25 million for kcICON Project workforce training. This training is designed to create opportunities that will grow a more diverse workforce in the Kansas City region and to increase the number of minority, female and economically disadvantaged individuals working across the state of Missouri. There are currently 35 On-the-Job Trainees employed on the kcICON Project. Jones is one of 14 individuals to date who have graduated from the program.

Jones, now a Quality Assurance Technician, has completed over 2,000 hours of training in heavy highway construction. During his acceptance speech, Jones said, “It feels good to go from having a job to having a career.”

Jones thanked MORE2, MoDOT and the supervisors and co-workers at Paseo Corridor Constructors who have guided him through the training process. “I am grateful for the support I have received on the project, and grateful to be able to represent others, like myself, in the community who can excel if given the chance.”

The $245 million kcICON project will reconstruct/rehabilitate 4.7 miles of Interstate 29/35 from just north of Route 210/Armour Road in North Kansas City into the northeast corner of the downtown Kansas City, Mo. freeway loop. The project includes improving outdated interchanges and the construction of the Christopher S. Bond Bridge – a new landmark, cable-stay Missouri River Bridge. Additional information is available on the project’s Web site: www.kcicon.com or on Facebook “kcICON Project.”

Ride for Remembrance

You may notice a larger than usual number of motorcycles out on the highways this weekend. That's because the second annual Ride for Remembrance to raise money for MoDOT's fallen workers memorial is being held Saturday, June 12 in Jefferson City. Hundreds of riders from across the state are expected to descend on the Jaycee's Fairgrounds to honor MoDOT workers killed in the line of duty. A memorial ceremony will be held at 1 p.m.

The day is also meant to bring families and friends together for a day of fun, food and camaraderie. Attractions include a motorcycle, car and truck show, face painting, a bounce house, kettle corn, barbecue and much more. All are welcome to attend the event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please visit http://www.rfr2010.com/.

Here is a video from last year's event to show you what's in store for you!

Champions of the Highway

I met some folks this weekend who are experts at the Funky Monkey, the Flying H and the Two-Pole Serpentine. They’re not dances or cooking techniques. Those are the names of some problems built into this year’s obstacle course at the Missouri Truck Driving Championships.

The Missouri Trucking Association calls together dozens and dozens of the state’s best accident-free professional drivers for two days of challenges. The marquee event is a
six-station obstacle course. Everyday driving and delivery skills are tested to the extreme. Supporters roared their support as drivers maneuvered large delivery vans and tractors pulling flatbed, tank and van trailers through obstacles demonstrating tight turns, backing skills, distance estimation and safe operation.

Curious, I started asking drivers about their road history. How long had they been accident-free? Five years, two years, 13 years. One gentleman reported an accident-free career of more than 20 years! He’d driven more than enough miles to backhaul moon rocks.

I asked what caused them worry on the road. Family problems? Schedule deadlines? No.

Other drivers.

Given the chance, they’d beg other highway users to put down the cell phone, stop texting, stop with the mascara, quit reading books (what?) and concentrate on driving.

What else? They want everyone to buckle up and to realize that trucks are big. Big stuff takes time to stop. Big trucks have big blind spots. Big vehicles take time to climb big Missouri hills.

What do professional drivers worry about when they’re on the road?

Your safety.

Rate Our Work Zones

Next time you travel through a work zone on a state highway, take a second to evaluate it. Did you have enough warning that you were approaching the work zone? Were the signs understandable and easy to see? Did you feel safe?

Then when you return home or reach your destination (not in your car, please), go to http://www.modot.org/ let us know how we’re doing. The work zone customer survey gives you a chance to rate our work zones with the goal of making them safer and better.

Since the survey was made available last year, more than 2,000 people have provided feedback and MoDOT work zones are meeting customer expectations 90 percent of the time.

What about that other 10 percent? That other 10 percent is the reason we need your help. Leave your comments and let us know what we can do to improve the work zone. Visit http://www.modot.org/ and click on the Rate Our Work Zones button.

Better Think Twice Before Drinking and Driving in Missouri

It’s never a good time to drink and drive, but this week Governor Nixon is visiting four cities to sign a bill that makes Missouri DWI laws tougher on anyone caught drinking and driving.

Even though common sense tells us all that drinking and driving is a bad idea, many people still do it with devastating consequences. In 2009, 268 people were killed in Missouri and 1,134 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. I’m sure all those impaired drivers probably thought they were fine to drive. Maybe some of them had only had a drink or two – but that’s the thing, we never know how much is too much or what kind of deadly consequences our actions will have on ourselves or someone else.

House Bill 1695 is designed to change Missouri laws regarding driving while intoxicated. The 16 provisions increase penalties for all levels of drivers under the influence including first time offenders to drivers with multiple DWI infractions.

Although there are many parts of the lengthy bill, the biggest change means that drivers getting pulled over for driving while intoxicated, even for their first offense, will now face jail time. And if you’re a repeat offender and get a third DWI charge, you will go to jail for 30 days instead of 10. It also makes it a class A misdemeanor to refuse to take a blood alcohol content test. All changes begin August 28.

Now more than ever in Missouri, You Drink and Drive. You Lose. To learn more about impaired driving and how you can Arrive Alive, visit http://www.savemolives.com/.

Mr. Maninga Goes to Washington

It's an experience not to be missed.

Erick Maninga, area engineer for MoDOT's District 5 office, has headed to Washington, D.C., for a one-year full-time engineering fellowship with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Engineers nationwide competed for the honor.

The opportunity allows him to bring a Missouri voice to policies and procedures for highway design, maintenance and engineering.

Maninga will be checking in with his Jefferson City office, sharing the perspectives he'll gain about transportation issues on a national level. We look forward to hearing about his experience!

On The Road

Would you like to talk to Missouri Highways and Transportation Commissioners? They might be closer than you think.

The commission is taking to the road, and the remainder of the 2010 monthly meetings will be located in one of seven cities throughout the state.
The commission road tour kicks off June 2 with a meeting at the Lee's Summit City Hall and ends Dec. 1 at the Hyatt Regency in St. Louis.

Here are the other stops along the way:

July 1  --  Missouri Western State University St. Joseph
Aug. 4 --  City Utilities Springfield
Sept. 1   --Hawkins Theatre Shelbina
Oct. 6 --  Ketcham Center Trenton
Nov. 3 --  Country Club Plaza Marriott Kansas City

The commission typically meets in Jefferson City, MoDOT's headquarters, when the state legislature is in session January through May. For the past several years, the commission has taken its business on the road from June to December to offer taxpayers a better voice in transportation issues and to help commissioners be better informed about decisions made for the state.

Learn more about your commission, including meeting agendas and minutes, at http://www.modot.org/.

Do You Know the "No Zone?"

Do you know where the "No Zones" are located around an 18-wheeler? Learning them could save your life.

In a effort to educate the driving public on these over-the-road truck blind spots, Wal Mart worked with MoDOT to set up a special display and presentation, May 28, at the Conway rest area on Interstate 44

"A No Zone is the spot beside a truck where you’re not supposed to be driving," said Dwayne Davidson, Wal-Mart OTR driver and safety promoter. "We want people to be able see these blind spots for themselves and learn how to stay out of them."

To help illustrate these zones, Davidson and fellow driver Mark Henley, set up an 18-wheeler in the Conway rest area just before Memorial Day weekend. The side of the trailer shows visitors exactly where the danger areas are. But to fully get the idea of where these spots eclipse a driver’s line of sight, the pair goes one step further.

"We let people sit in the cab so they can what we see," said Henley. "We actually park cars in the No Zones so folks can see where the blind spots are around the truck."

Davidson imparted one simple rule of thumb for drivers.

"If you can’t see my face in my rearview mirrors, I can’t see you at all," he said.

They two men have been promoting safety for the past three years. To get the message out, they set up displays at rest areas regularly around weekends and holidays. They also will visit schools and other organizations to help people learn how to stay out of the No Zone.

　

Accelerated Innovation

Safe & Sound bridge projects are kicking off across the state. Yesterday, the ribbon was cut on a design-build project completed on Route 61 over Buckeye Creek in Cape Girardeau County. It embodies the goals of the Safe & Sound program by illustrating both flexibility and innovation.

The project was accelerated by one year to accommodate the low weight posting of the previous pony truss bridge. Construction on nearby Interstate 55 that reroutes vehicles over Buckeye Creek meant that an innovative solution was needed quickly.

The pony truss structure was replaced with twin Super Cor structures -- prefabricated metal culverts with concrete retaining walls. It's the first bridge of this type on the Missouri state system. Using the Super Cor components meant the project could be completed more quickly and with less labor.

The picture above shows the demolition of the old pony truss bridge.

The new and improved bridge using the Super Cor structures.

Road Trips: Memorable Versus Miserable

One of the most memorable road trip memories I have is of traveling from Jefferson City to St. Louis for a Cardinals baseball game when my husband and I were first married. We had taken I-70 and were about halfway to St. Louis when we approached slowing traffic that eventually brought us to a dead stop.

It was a hot, summer afternoon and as we sat stalled in traffic due to road resurfacing work, the air conditioner started to sputter and then conked out altogether. After a few minutes, we were both getting a little irritable. Things only got worse when my husband said, "You did remember the tickets, didn't you?" I can still see those tickets lying on the kitchen counter at home.

MoDOT works hard to make sure your trips are memorable, not miserable, but there are still going to be some inconveniences along the way. It's the price we pay for road and bridge improvements. Fortunately, there are tools that can help. MoDOT recently issued a list of 10 work zones to watch out for this summer. In addition, the department's Traveler Information Map provides details about construction work up to a week in advance. Find them at http://www.modot.org/.

These items would have come in handy when my husband and I made that road trip 21 years ago. We might have taken Highway 50 instead and sailed right into St. Louis. But, then again, we wouldn't have nearly as good of a story to tell the kids.

All Aboard, Cardinals Ahead!

There's still time to Catch a Train and Catch a Game!

We were able to catch a train and visit some of the St. Louis Cardinals. Watch some of the Cardinal greats in batting practice below and hear infielder Tyler Greene's message to motorists.



The sweepstakes runs until June 8, and two lucky winners will be selected! 

Click It or Ticket Day and Night

How can we get more Missourians to buckle up?

That was the question on everyone’s mind the past two days at the Missouri Seat Belt Summit where safety experts from around the state gathered in Jefferson City to come up with a strategy for improving Missouri’s seat belt usage rate.

Seat belt use in Missouri has remained relatively unchanged in the last six years and consistently below the national average. Missouri has 77 percent seat belt usage, well below the national average of 84 percent. Missouri’s teen seat belt use is even lower at 61 percent. Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.

Law enforcement officers will be cracking down on motorists who aren’t wearing seat belts May 24-June 6. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was present at the summit and made it clear that there is ZERO tolerance in Missouri for not wearing your seat belt.

Last year during the two-week Click It or Ticket campaign, 188 law enforcement agencies issued 7,243 seat belt and 243 child restraint violations. During the campaign, law enforcement also issued 10,322 speeding violations and made 375 DWI, 187 felony and 241 drug arrests.

Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing and not wearing it can cost you everything.

Creative Kids With a Message

Children across Central Missouri got out their art supplies last month to help spread the message to Buckle Up and Arrive Alive.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety's Central Region asked children to download a "Buckle Bear" coloring sheet and turn it into a work of art. Almost 200 children sent in their creative works, which were displayed at the Missouri State Capitol Building last week.

If you missed them, keep an eye out - the coalition plans to display them at other locations throughout the central region this summer.

A Better Way to Stay Informed

The latest news in Missouri transportation is easier to access than ever before!

MoDOT's newsroom has been recently redesigned and we think you're going to be impressed by the result. You can quickly and easily watch, read, listen or look at the latest transportation information that affects you.

Up-to-date information includes:

• A video library updated regularly that brings you the most recent MoDOT news stories, PSAs and educational pieces
• Revolving pictures that let you access our Flickr photostream site
• Easy access to all news releases sent statewide or from each district office
• Weekly podcasts from MoDOT Interim Director Kevin Keith
• Quick access to all of our social networking sites

Visit http://www.modot.org/ and look for the Newsroom link in the right-hand column.

A Celebrated Beginning

Yesterday was a big day for bicyclists and pedestrians in central Missouri, and for tourists across the state.

The groundbreaking began for a new Missouri River Bridge attachment that will allow bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the Missouri River on the U.S. 54 eastbound/U.S. 63 northbound bridge, providing easier access to the popular Katy Trail from Jefferson City. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the 225-mile trail crossing the state from St. Charles to Clinton.

The bridge will now be safer for everyone, and will help promote the economy in Jefferson City. Those using the Katy Trail will be more likely to cross the river to enjoy the views and visit the state capital.

The new attachment will be eight feet wide and include two look out points with a view of the Missouri State Capitol Building. A ramp structure will be constructed on the north side of the river to allow access to the katy Trail via the Missouri Department of Conservation public fishing area. The project should take about one year to complete, so mark your calendars for a visit next summer.

Catch a Train, Catch a Game!

Who doesn't love trains and baseball? Sit back, relax and let an American icon take you to enjoy America's favorite pastime.

Amtrak, MoDOT and the Missouri Division of Tourism are partnering to celebrate National Train Day (May 8, 2010) and National Travel and Tourism Week (May 8 - 16, 2010) with the "Catch a Train, Catch a Game" Sweepstakes. Two grand prize winners will be selected, one for a St. Louis Cardinals prize package and one for a Kansas City Royals prize package.

The sweepstakes is open to all U.S. residents 18 years of age or older. No purchase is necessary to win. Enter to win online at http://www.morail.org/ between May 8 and June 8.

Whether you wear a red or a blue hat to the game, we think you'll have a great trip.

May is National Youth Traffic Safety Month

Traffic crashes continue to be the #1 cause of death and injuries for teens in the United States. National Youth Safety Month is held each May by the National Organization for Youth Safety to help spread traffic safety awareness in an effort to change this startling statistic.

In Missouri, one in four Missouri traffic crashes involves a young driver. Between 2007 and 2009, 304 teens (15-19) were killed in traffic crashes. And although there are many reasons for crashes, our biggest concerns for teen motorists are texting and driving, and their failure to wear seat belts.

Last year, Missouri passed a law prohibiting drivers 21 and under from texting, along with a $200 fine if caught. Distracted driving is the leading cause of traffic crashes in Missouri and nationwide and 28 percent of all crashes a year on U.S. highways are caused by drivers using cell phones.

Under Missouri’s Graduated Drivers License Law, seat belt use is required for young drivers. Yet 40 percent of Missouri teens don’t buckle up. You can remind a teen to buckle up by sharing these top 10 reasons for buckling up:
1. I just don’t like the taste of glass.
2. I don’t have a license to fly, yet!
3. I can see the road fine from inside my car.
4. It takes less time to buckle than text message.
5. Road rash isn’t attractive.
6. My head won’t fit in the CD player.
7. It’s not cool to be stone cold dead.
8. My friends won’t look good without me.
9. Wrinkled clothes are better than blood stains!
10. Would a casket be more comfortable?

The Missouri Coalition continues to sponsor various teen programs to help promote highway safety, but we need everyone’s help. You can get more information and send an electronic postcard reminding a teen to buckle up at www.savemolives.com/play/postcard.htm. And please if you know a teen – encourage them to buckle up and put their phone down. Let’s work together to ensure all Missouri teens Arrive Alive.