Smartie or Dum Dum: Which will you choose?

Will your school be a Dum Dum or a Smartie?

Using Dum Dum pops and Smartie candies is one way students enforce seat belt use in Battle of the Belt. Students wearing their seat belts receive Smarties to reinforce this lifesaving decision while students failing to buckle up get a Dum Dum.

According to the results of the latest statewide seat belt survey, teen seat belt use is up to 66 percent from 61 percent. Unfortunately, that means 34 percent still aren’t wearing their seat belts and are at a greater risk to get injured or killed in traffic crashes.

Battle of the Belt 2010 kicks off today. Missouri high schools will be competing to increase seat belt use among students.

More than 200 Missouri high schools signed up for this year’s competition, an 38 percent increase in participation from last year.

Battle of the Belt consists of two surprise seat belt checks at each high school to measure student seat belt usage before and after an educational campaign on the importance of safety belt use.

Statewide awards are given to schools who reach 91 percent or higher seat belt usage. Awards are also given at the regional level to schools with the highest overall seat belt usage and most improved seat belt usage.

Schools also have the opportunity to submit a 30-second video spot aimed at encouraging their peers to buckle up.

Last year’s winning PSA came from Washington High School and can be viewed below. It featured the slogan “Everyone’s a Winner when you Buckle Up.”

Teen seat belt usage increased by 5 percent in 2010. Sixty-six percent of Missouri teens buckle up. Teen seat belt usage remains below Missouri statewide usage (76 percent) and national seat belt usage (85 percent).

Find out more about Battle of the Belt here.

Two Feet, Two Wheels: All it Takes To Cross the Wide Missouri in KC

Pedestrians and bicyclists in the Kansas City area now can cross the wide Missouri River, thanks to years of cooperation, collaboration and the timely arrival of funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Last spring, the Heart of America Bridge began the transition from a motorist-only bridge to a multi-use Missouri river crossing with paths for bikes and pedestrians. That project opened to a crowd of bike, walking and running enthusiasts at 2 p.m. on Oct. 1.

The new accommodations include a barrier-separated bike and pedestrian path on Route 9 extending from 10th Avenue in North Kansas City to 3rd Street in Kansas City.

MoDOT retrofit the 8-year old bridge as part of already-scheduled bridge work. The department used existing pedestrian access to provide more opportunities for both foot and pedal traffic. Pedestrians need protection from vehicles that cross the bridge at high rates of speed. Casual cyclists are not always comfortable riding in motorist lanes that travel at a higher speed.  Advanced cyclists will continue to ride in lanes following the rules of the road, but with greater exposure to traffic.

In tandem with this project, the Chouteau Bridge is also under rehabilitation.

When complete by 2010, the Chouteau and Heart of America bridges will help Kansas City achieve its goal of a phased network of 600 miles of on-street bicycle routes within the city.

For more information, check out the project page on www.modot.org/kc under "Major Projects."

I Like to Move It, Move It

I was a lazy kid. Despite living a stone’s throw away from my school growing up, I can count on one hand the number of times I walked to school. Looking back at grade school pictures, I probably could have used the exercise.

But when I was growing up, I don’t remember anyone encouraging walking to school the way we do now. The entire month of October is Walk to School Month, October 4-8 is Walk to School Week and October 6 is International Walk to School Day.

Kids need 30-60 minutes of exercise each day. Walking or cycling to and from school is an ideal way to get some of that activity. Roughly 10% of children nationwide walk to school regularly. Even among those kids living within a mile of their school, only 25% are regular walkers.

So why not use this month as an opportunity to stretch your legs and get moving. Encourage others to do the same. Organize a Walk to School Day or week this month. You might find that your kids enjoy it so much they’ll want to do it every day (weather permitting of course – we do live in Missouri).

MoDOT oversees the Safe Routes to School program which provides safer biking and walking accommodations for children in grades K-8. The program is designed to provide public awareness and outreach efforts and improve biking and walking conditions around schools.

To find out more about Safe Routes to School, visit http://www.modot.org/safety/SafeRoutestoSchool.htm.

To find out what events are planned in Missouri or to plan one of your own, visit http://www.walktoschool.org/who/seestate.cfm?st=MO.

MoDOT Selling Retired Maintenance Buildings, other properties

MoDOT is putting four more real estate properties up for auction or sealed bid in October. Two are former maintenance facilities complete with buildings and utilities. Another property has a former residence on the property!

The maintenance buildings are located in Maries and Miller counties. The main structure at each location has several overhead doors, water, electricity and telephone hook ups. There’s also easy access from the highway. Both sites are between four and five acres of land and have been well maintained and managed. The main building located at either site has more than 3,200 square feet.

These facilities were closed as part of an effort to consolidate operations. Once MoDOT showed area residents that maintenance services would not decline after consolidation, the properties were put up for sale. Money generated by the sale will go back into funding improvements to Missouri roads.

Not many of MoDOT’s excess real estate sites are this complete. This opportunity is rare and interested buyers need to act as soon as possible! Check them out at these links:

Property in Belle, Mo.: http://modot.mo.gov/realtyforsale/Maries.htm#modot

Property west of Tuscumbia, Mo.: http://modot.mo.gov/realtyforsale/Miller.htm#modot

The property with the home is located in Carter County adjacent to Route 60. The 11 acre site has a long gravel driveway that sets it away from the highway, a car port, a detached garage and other amenities.

You can check out photos of the property by visiting:

http://modot.mo.gov/realtyforsale/Carter.htm#modot

The other property up for auction is in Stoddard County. It is not improved, but considered a high value at a great price. Take a look at it on our web site:

Property in Stoddard County: http://modot.mo.gov/realtyforsale/Stoddard.htm#modot

More property is scheduled to be sold by auction or sealed bid in November.

Want to make sure you’re in the loop with MoDOT realty for sale? Join our facebook page at this locale: http://www.facebook.com/realtytoroads We post sales announcements, answer questions, and supply useful information you’ll need for purchases.

McCluster's Warning

Kansas City Chiefs star Dexter McCluster has a warning for you about texting while driving:

Traveler Information Map Offers More Information than Ever

MoDOT's Traveler Information Map, located at http://maps.modot.mo.gov/tim/, has been helping drivers navigate work zones, snowy roads and flooded routes since 2007. Now it will do even more.

Radar imagery has been added to the online map. Fed from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the radar layers give a snapshot of weather conditions so travelers can see what’s going on and what’s on the way.

In addition, commercial truck drivers are now able to view height restrictions, commercial zones and oversized/over dimension information.

The look of the map has also changed. Although easy navigation of the map remains the same, it now loads quicker and it’s easier to zoom in.

Make Sure Your Babies Grow Up

As a parent, I learned quickly there are so many things that are out of my control. I can’t make my kids eat or even sleep when I want them to; I can’t take their tests for them at school or make sure they get invited to all the birthday parties. But one thing I have always made sure to control is the safety of my children inside our vehicles. From day one when I brought my firstborn home from the hospital, each of my three children has been properly buckled into the appropriate car seat. Unfortunately, many Missouri children are getting injured and killed because they are not properly secured.

In fact, car crashes are the number one killer of children. During the last three years in Missouri, 55 children were killed and 655 suffered disabling injuries as a result of traffic crashes. I see small children sitting in the front seat, kids standing inside vehicles unrestrained, babies riding on parents laps and many other examples of negligent care and it makes me angry for them. They deserve to get where they are going safely.

A recent NHTSA study reveals nearly three out of four parents don’t know how to use child safety restraints properly. Child Passenger Safety Technicians in Missouri report an even higher misuse rate, so during Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 19-25, parents and other caregivers can join in a Twitter Party, hosted by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, where they can find out from experts how to protect their kids. The first ever Missouri-hosted car seat Twitter party is from 1-3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23. Certified car seat technicians will answer any question tweeted to #savemokids via Twitter.com.

National Seat Check Saturday also is Sept. 25 and technicians will provide on-site car seat checks and education at locations across Missouri. Seat Check Saturday is the culmination of a week-long child safety seat campaign that began Sept. 19. The annual campaign 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. Violators could pay fines as much as $50 plus court costs.

In case you don’t know though, Missouri law requires all children under eight to be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, unless:
• They are at least 80 pounds.
• They are at least 4’9” tall.

There are many choices I want my kids to have in life, but buckling up is one choice I make for them -- because I choose their safety. Buckle Up and Arrive Alive.

Being Green

Any environmental conscience statistic or answer I get that’s in the billions tells me something impressive is going on – so when I heard that the Missouri Department of Transportation has recycled more than 8.4 billion pounds of waste since 2005 I about fell off my chair. Click here for news release.

MoDOT has recycled in two ways in order to get to the 8.4 billion pound mark. The first involves industrial waste coming from mines, steel furnaces and power plants. This waste that normally goes directly to landfills has been collected and recycled, which over the past 5 years has totaled 3.56 billion. I called a few landfill managers here in Missouri and I found out 3.56 billion pounds of waste would fill the Empire State Building 4 times! To recycle is one thing, but to do it so aggressively that it removes the equivalent of 89,000 semi-truck loads from area landfills is another.

The biggest way MoDOT recycles is by reusing material. Instead of throwing away concrete and asphalt from old projects, we use the material again on new projects. Since 2005, MoDOT has recycled 4.86 billion pounds of reclaimed material that goes directly to new construction projects. This not only saves our environment, but saves taxpayer money too. I’m sure many of the highway miles you travel on contain reclaimed material.

It’s good to know that billions of pounds of waste are not sitting in a landfill and my tax dollars are getting used wisely when state roads get improved. Being environmentally aware is a good thing to be and I’m glad MoDOT is a leader when it comes to being green.

The Art of The Invisible

I'm sitting at my desk, looking at some mail, watching the clock and pondering what to fix for dinner. Then it hits me.

At some point, my desk, the mail, the clock and whatever it is I'll put on the plate tonight was transported by a truck. Someone hauled the logs, loaded up the van or put my milk in a tanker and then it traveled down the road until it got to me. Maybe I passed next Tuesday's breakfast or the propane that will heat my neighbor's house way too soon on my way to the office this morning. And you know, I never even noticed.

That's a compliment to the professional drivers who run alongside my car. I don't notice them. They drive safely and respectfully. So they deserve the attention that's coming their way. September 19-25 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

There's another reason to high-five your local trucking pro. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of fatal crashes that involved a commercial vehicle in Missouri fell by 49 percent - almost HALF!

It happened because roads and visual elements are better designed. Rumble stripes keep cars and trucks in the driving lanes. Missouri's law enforcement folks are on the job, making sure unsafe behavior has consequences. Emergency responders react with skill, speed and care.

But a lot of credit goes to drivers and motor carrier companies. They respect the equipment they operate and feel an obligation to look out for other travelers on the road - even when other drivers don't seem to care for their own safety.

I bet I notice every truck I meet on the way home tonight. I might even wave at them all - especially the ones who deliver to my local pizza place. On busy days like this, I'm most thankful for them!

Critical Timing

The Route 40 Bridge in Boone County is now better than ever.

Initial plans to replace the bridge in central Missouri included a 60-day closure, and this caused some worry from area business owners. Through open communication and proper planning, that same bridge work time was cut in half and was scheduled for the best possible time of the construction season. As one local business owner states "MoDOT really listened."

The extra effort paid off. Watch below to see the work that is complete and how the community has benefitted from a better bridge.



For information on other Safe & Sound bridges under construction, visit www.modot.org/safeandsound.

Central Site Created for Companies Wanting to Work for MoDOT

MoDOT has streamlined its bidding and contracting presence on the website. Now contractors, suppliers, consultants, and disadvantaged business enterprises have one centralized location to visit for bidding and contracting opportunities with MoDOT, and consultants can also find specifics on projects for which proposals are sought.

By visiting www.modot.org/bidding the business community now has a one-stop-shop to get started on all their bidding and contracting needs.

Previously, MoDOT’s bidding and contracting presence was separated depending on the type of bidding and contracting the department solicited. Bidding and contracting information for supply and service contractors was located separately from bidding and contracting information for roadway and bridge contractors, including DBEs. By pulling these locations into a consolidated “hub page,” MoDOT hopes to minimize any confusion and simplify the bidding and contracting process for businesses which may not be familiar with Department structure and processes.

A navigation button for bidding and contracting has been added to the left hand navigation of the site to make it even easier for online visitors to find what they need.

Leaner, Cleaner and Greener

The carbon footprint just got a little smaller in Poplar Bluff and Warrensburg.

MoDOT's Transit Unit used a federal grant to help two local public transportation agencies in these communities purchase a new hybrid vehicle that promises to run cleaner and cheaper than standard buses. Missouri is one of the first states to introduce hybrid technoliges on rural transit routes.

The buses have the potential to reduce fuel use by up to 40 percent, lower maintenance costs by 30 percent and reduce emissions by up to 30 percent.

Watch below to see how the Poplar Bluff community is enjoying their leaner, greener bus.

September's Missouri Miles

In this month's edition of Missouri Miles, we take you to Tuscumbia Missouri for the grand opening of the first project to begin construction under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Plus, how many Missouri teens are buckling up? We'll show you the latest numbers.



In this second part of Missouri Miles for September, we take a trip with the Show-Me 60 Caravan in southern Missouri. Plus, sit down with some of Missouri's best truck drivers and ask them some questions about life on the road.

I-64 St. Louis Project Getting National Attention

The I-64 St. Louis Project is now a grand prize finalist for the 2010 America’s Transportation Awards competition. Vote today!

Maybe the best two things a DOT can announce to the public for a completed project is: On time and under budget. These two goals are vital because it means money isn’t getting wasted and the impact to drivers was decreased from initial plans. When the I-64 St. Louis project finished on time and under budget back in December of 2009, it pleased many Missouri drivers, but now it has also impressed national transportation experts.

The I-64 St. Louis Project is now a grand prize finalist for the 2010 America’s Transportation Awards competition. Earlier this year transportation experts from across the country judged more than 40 entries from 29 states in the categories of on-time, under budget, innovative management and best recovery act project. The I-64 St. Louis project won first place in the Midwest region in the under budget category. Winners from each region and category were then narrowed down to an overall top 10 and the I-64 St. Louis project made the list! www.americastransportationaward.org

It’s easy to see why national transportation experts loved the I-64 St. Louis project. It was the largest highway improvement in Missouri history, yet reopened one month early and $11 million under budget. All project goals were met or exceeded despite limited funds, limited space and the need to limit the impact of construction. The project closed portions of I-64 for two years, but survey results show 95 percent of Missourians were satisfied with how the work was handled. www.thenewi64.org

As a top ten finalist the I-64 St. Louis project is now in the running for the grand prize and the people’s choice award. The grand prize will be chosen by a team of national transportation experts and the people’s choice award will determined through online voting. Online voting starts today and continues through October 18, 2010… so we encourage you to vote! It would be amazing if the I-64 St. Louis project won both awards and we would love your help! You can vote by visiting www.modot.org and clicking on the America’s Transportation Awards banner found on the top of MoDOT’s homepage. The winners of both awards will be announced October 31, 2010 and will receive $10,000 to go towards a charity or scholarship.

Go vote!

Recycling Rail Equipment

At MoDOT, we recycle everything from rubber tires, asphalt shingles and signs to entire roads and bridges. Now the Railroad Section has found a way to join in the eco-friendly efforts by reusing railroad safety equipment on a road construction project in Grandview.

Cantilevers that once extended over Route 150 to warn of train traffic on the Kansas City Southern branch line near Route 71 became obsolete when the state route was widened beyond the capacity of the train warning device. Instead of disposing the cantilevers, MoDOT and the city of Grandview found a way to reuse them. Now motorists and pedestrians have a safer highway-rail crossing at 139th Street between Grandboro Lane and 10th Terrace. The city has also posted new "LOOK" signs next to the sidewalk to provide additional warnings to look both ways for trains before crossing the tracks.

Missouri Needs to Just Buckle Up Already

Two recent Missouri surveys have just been released showing 24 percent of Missourians still don’t buckle up and even more alarming, 34 percent of teens don’t. With all the statistics out there now supporting seat belt usage, and the frequent news stories about people being ejected and killed from their vehicles because they weren’t buckled, it’s amazing that all these people still fail to do the one simple thing to save their lives – buckle up.

I have heard all the excuses why people don’t buckle their seat belts: they’re uncomfortable, it’s my choice, I don’t want the government to tell me what to do, it only affects me, etc. What do I say to these people? We all have the right to offer our opinions, but if you want to live to share your viewpoint, you might reconsider clicking that belt.

Here’s a few reasons why you should buckle up:
1. Research shows that your chances of surviving a traffic crash are much higher if you just take two seconds and buckle your seat belt, that’s the truth.
2. It doesn’t affect just you. If you get injured or die in a traffic crash, your friends and family suffer emotionally and possibly financially, and ultimately we all pay a price either through insurance or medical bills. Also, if you’re driving or riding in a vehicle with other people and you are unbuckled, you become a projectile possibly injuring or killing those around you.
3. If you think seat belts are uncomfortable, try a wheelchair or coffin.
4. Physically it is your choice to wear your seat belt, but legally it’s not. Whether or not you like it, it’s the law that you have to buckle up!

What’s the reality in Missouri? In 2009, 878 people were killed in Missouri traffic crashes, and 67 percent of the vehicle occupants killed weren’t wearing a seat belt. Young drivers are overrepresented in crashes both nationwide and in Missouri. Of all 2009 Missouri traffic crashes, 24 percent involved a young driver (under age 21). Of all fatal traffic crashes, 17 percent involved a young driver. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people 15-20 years old.

What can we do? Besides the obvious – buckling up of course, we can encourage our family and friends to do the same. Everyone can also support a primary seat belt law in Missouri by talking to their legislators. Get more information at saveMOlives.com. Buckle Up and Arrive Alive.

Highway 60 Caravan

Hundreds of people braved the heat to participate in the Show-Me 60 Caravan celebration on Aug. 13. The caravan celebrated the completion of Route 60 as a completely four-lane facility across Missouri.

Mayor Jay Waggoner kicked off the opening ceremony in Willow Springs and emphasized how long the community has waited for a four-lane corridor. "The community has dreamed of this day for about 50 years. Dreams can become reality when men of vision commit to them," said Waggoner.

"I can't even believe we are here today finally finishing it," said U.S. Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson. Emerson highlighted the importance of this corridor to commerce throughout rural Missouri. "We have a great quality of life. We certainly have people who have a magnificent work ethic. We just have a very special place that we call home... There is absolutely no doubt that our communities now will grow and prosper. While we may not see it, our children and grandchildren will," said Emerson.

In addition to Willow Springs, the caravan stopped in Mountain View, Winona, Poplar Bluff, Dexter and Sikeston.

During the whistle stop in Mountain View, participants were treated to an exhibit of historical memorabilia and photographs from along Route 60. In Winona, Representative J.C. Kuessner shared with the crowd a story about his grandmother receiving the right to vote in 1920 and riding a mule to cast her vote for a two cent sales tax to improve transportation. "She knew in her own mind that she'd never see this, but she thought for sure her grandkids might see some changes. Well, in 1925 she saw the beginning of the building of highway 60," said Kuessner.

The caravan concluded in Sikeston, where Senator Bond expressed his support. "This is going to be tremendous avenue for commerce, for transportation, for tourism, and for safety. I learned back when I was governor that communities grow when they have good transportation. That is one of the key factors in seeing communities grow and providing economic opportunity. This provides that opportunity," said Bond.


Route 60 Celebration Photos

Jonas Brothers Helping to Reduce Texting and Driving

These days with one tween and another wanna-be tween in my house, our TV is tuned to shows like Hannah Montana, Suite Life on Deck and of course Jonas L.A. featuring the Jonas Brothers. While I’m not always into watching them on TV, I am interested in a new anti-texting and driving campaign the brothers are supporting.

The Jonas Brothers will be playing recreational softball games this year at minor league stadiums throughout the country. At each venue they are working with Allstate to educate fans about the dangers of texting behind the wheel.

As Kevin Jonas said in the group's announcement: "It is really important that our fans understand just how dangerous texting while driving is. Pledging not to text and drive is a promise to your friends, your family and yourself to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel."

During the games, fans can join the Jonas Brothers in pledging not to text and drive by adding their thumbprint – the symbol of their pledge – to a banner that will be traveling with the "Road Dogs" tour. Participants will receive 'TXTNG KLLS' thumb bands to wear as a reminder of their commitment. Throughout the game, fans will also have the opportunity to win autographed t-shirts and other prizes.

The Jonas Brothers are raising awareness about a serious danger and giving the fans something to remember in a positive way. Unfortunately they are not coming to Missouri, but to take the pledge not to text and drive or for more information about the tour, visit www.facebook.com/XtheTXT.

Announcing the Amtrak Ticket Raffle Winners

Congratulations to all listed!

...for The Lincoln University WOW Weekend raffle (8/21/10) the ticket winners are:
MO River Runner ticket for one coach roundtrip- Jeff Maclin
MO River Runner ticket for one coach roundtrip- Alex Kelley

...for The Missouri State Fair raffle (8/12/10 – 8/22/10) the ticket winners are:
MO River Runner tickets for four coach roundtrip- Kristin Leiker
MO River Runner tickets for four coach roundtrip- Beth Holsather
MO River Runner tickets for two coach roundtrip- Shawn Murphy
MO River Runner tickets for two coach roundtrip- Sandy Wessel
MO River Runner ticket for one coach roundtrip- Martin Cunningham
MO River Runner ticket for one coach roundtrip- Ed Curtin
MO River Runner ticket for one coach roundtrip- Sheila Thacker
MO River Runner ticket for one coach roundtrip- Jeani Longstreth

...for The State Employee Appreciation Capitol Lawn Picnic raffle (8/20/10) the ticket winners are:
MO River Runner tickets for two coach roundtrip- Shawna Martin
MO River Runner tickets for two coach roundtrip- Wendy Libey
MO River Runner tickets for two business roundtrip- Connie Sandbothe

Amtrak provided the tickets.

Missouri Part of America's Marine Highway System

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently designated certain waterway corridors across America that will soon serve as highways of their own. The idea is to move more cargo from our highways and onto our waterway system, loading and unloading goods just like tractor trailers do. Click to see where these waterway corridors are located. http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipping_landing_page/mhi_home/mhi_home.htm

If you looked at the waterway corridor map, you'll see two corridors are in Missouri. A good portion of one of the marine corridors includes the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Louis. It is called the M-70 because it will potentially reduce freight truck congestion on Interstate 70. The new M-55 marine corridor includes the Mississippi River, which incorporates St. Louis, and is expected to reduce freight truck congestion along Interstate 55.

These marine highway corridor designations by the USDOT helps a push by MoDOT to increase waterway traffic in order to utilize all forms of transportation to their fullest. MoDOT's freight development unit has been working for close to a year to identify and prioritize strategies to increase freight traffic on Missouri waterways. http://www.modot.org/othertransportation/freight/index.htm

Increasing the usage of waterway shipping will decrease road congestion, harmful emissions, fossil fuel usage and highway maintenance costs. Think about this: one waterway barge holds the same amount of cargo that 15 rail cars and 70 tractor trailers can carry. A common waterway tow down the Missouri River has 15 barges... meaning more than 1000 tractor trailers would get removed from our roads with one simple waterway tow. Less congestion, less air pollution and possibly a less expensive product for the consumer to buy due to cheaper shipping costs. I'm on board with all of that.