Training Road Wise Teen Drivers

As the mom of two teenagers and a preteen, I cherish any quality time I can get with my kids in today’s fast-paced world. But I wasn’t so sure how special that time was going to be when I first learned some of the QT – 40 hours precisely - was going to be spent on the road with my just-learning-to-drive, 15-year-old son (a requirement of Missouri’s Graduated Driver Licensing Program).

When I really thought about it, though, I realized he really needed to practice his driving skills and our time together would give us teachable moments about the rules of the road. So, first it was off to the Capitol Mall parking lot in the family car. It was great! We had a lot of wide open space, yet he had to drive slowly and it gave us lots of opportunities to practice turns, stopping at stop signs, yielding to pedestrians, etc.

Eventually we hit the streets and went on longer drives outside the city limits. This is where my comfort zone was tested … often. I did my best to stay calm and helpful, but my knuckles got a little whiter and there were many times I tried to slam on brakes that just don’t exist on the passenger side floorboard, especially riding down the very narrow lanes on Rte. 179 to our church.

Most of the time, his dad or I practiced with him during the daytime. But, the GDL program requires that 10 of the 40 hours of practice driving occur at night. Good thing, too, because since he got licensed more than a year ago, he has done plenty of night driving; i.e., closing at work, late night arrivals after Friday night football games, etc.

Overall, our 40 hours of QT behind the wheel was a good experience. And somewhere along the way, I became MoDOT Mom because of my constant reminders to him to wear his seat belt. Many times, both then and now, I have shared tragic stories about teens who have died in traffic crashes because they weren’t wearing their seat belt. I can only hope and pray this will drive the message home.

Unfortunately for many teens, their lack of experience behind the wheel puts them at a higher risk for traffic crashes. Did you know that our teen drivers only make up 9 percent of licensed drivers, but they are involved in nearly 24 percent of traffic crashes? Or, were you aware that of the 104 teens killed in traffic crashes in 2009, 76 percent were not wearing their seat belt. We don’t want our son to become part of these statistics, so his dad and I gladly took on our responsibility of helping him become a good, safe driver.

Ahh, but that will soon start all over again. You see, our daughter begins driver’s training next year. This time around, we look forward to using MoDOT’s newly redesigned teen safe driving guide, Road Wise. The parent tips in the booklet will help guide her learning experience and we will use the log in the back to track her practice time. It will be a great tool to help teach her the importance of driving safely. But even greater will be the 40 hours of quality time we will have together.

At the Top

Congratulations to those working with the kcICON Project in Kansas City, selected as the top road project and the fifth best bridge project of 2010 by Roads and Bridges magazine! Check the photos of the ribbon-cutting event last month. For a view from the top, don't miss the Shaky Cam video at http://bit.ly/am7fIU.

October's Missouri Miles

In this month's edition of Missouri Miles we take you to Tuscumbia, Mo., for a look at an amazing bridge demolition. We also take you behind the scenes of a chip sealing operation in Missouri.




In part two of Missouri Miles, we take you to the Show Me Safety Fair in St. Louis. The fair is complete with lessons about the dangers of drinking and driving and stresses the importance of wearing your seat belt. We also have a story on how MoDOT is going green in a very big way.

A Nostalgic Ride on the Rails

I haven’t ridden on a train in a very long time, so yesterday was an awesome experience. Instead of heading to the office as usual, I boarded the Columbine car, one of several Union Pacific heritage series cars being pulled by the Challenger 3985 – a 1940s-era steam engine. It is one of only two steam engines of its kind that still runs today.

Soon we were departing for Washington, Missouri. I was awed by the site of the fog still rolling off the Missouri River as we pulled away from Jefferson City. The thick, billowing steam from the engine continuously rolled over the top of the train, helping block the bright glare of the sun on this crisp fall morning. The sway on the tracks and the clacking of the car connectors wasn’t enough to distract from the beautiful view of bluffs and trees now beginning to sport their fall colors.

Not too long into the journey, we passed over the Osage River. This is where a second train bridge will soon be built with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds awarded to MoDOT. This project will help eliminate another bottleneck that impacts the speed and velocity of today’s modern trains.

Later, we passed over the Gasconade River where UP eliminated a bottleneck two years ago by completing a second track over the Gasconade River. Then just before we got to Washington, the train correctly stopped to let the westbound Amtrak train go by.

Throughout the journey, we must have been quite a sight to see for the many people who were stopped at crossings along the way and in the quaint towns nestled by the tracks.

Although the Challenger left us behind there to travel on to Illinois, it will return to Missouri this weekend as a part of Sedalia’s sesquicentennial celebration. What a fitting tribute to a city that was shaped by railroad history. What a great way I have discovered to see Missouri!

Couple Walks 91 Miles to Raise Funds for Fallen Workers Memorial

91 miles. That’s the distance Jim and Theo Feeney walked to raise funds for MoDOT’s Fallen Workers Memorial. The couple hiked nine hours a day for four days. At night, various friends put them up along the way. It’s the second year the Feeneys have made the journey.

Jim Feeney is a maintenance crew leader in MoDOT’s St. Louis district. He came up with the idea for the fund-raising effort two years ago.

"I told my wife I wanted to walk to Jefferson City to raise awareness of the memorial," Feeney said. "She said: ‘Can I go?’ "

This year, the Feeneys started their trek on the Katy Trail in Weldon Spring, Saturday, Oct. 2 and finished in Jefferson City, Tuesday, Oct. 5.

"Aside from my wife almost stepping on a couple of snakes, the most interesting part of the walk was the people," Jim said. "It’s humbling to find out how many good people are out there."

Since 1932, 130 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty. Plans are under way to create a statewide memorial honoring these fallen men and women. The memorial will be funded by private donations. Feeney has personally raised over $3,000 toward the cause.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the memorial fund can make a check payable to State Highway & Transportation Employees Association of Missouri and mail it to: District 7 Highway Credit Union, Attn: Dave B. Taylor, 3901 East 32nd St., Suite A, Joplin, Mo., 64804



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.