tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65803928036270605382024-02-02T11:27:30.443-08:00MoDOT St Louis districtMoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-20222470781766274822018-12-21T11:23:00.002-08:002018-12-21T11:23:23.531-08:00MoDOT Area Engineers Work With Communities to Further Projects
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<em>By Judy Wagner, Franklin/Jefferson County Area Engineer</em></div>
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When you see a problem on the highways, who ya gonna call?
MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a concern or issue, please let us
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Some calls are more complex and that’s when one of our area
engineers may step in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area engineer
can discuss specific needs and priorities in their area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the St. Louis District there are five area
engineers - one each for St. Louis City, north St. Louis County, southwest St.
Louis County, St. Charles County and Franklin/Jefferson Counties.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRzda6J4XzOLeiZVBfw5d7LE8hjx2zu6x0kSBOjPGXMq_2ZDL6A8wZfCuriI_EeD-rfWvyQLRoOBQIABNYGEEU0FctvQWS5IYeMYNg4vpeFfa8ahO3dWyOe-Y7z9Wz5MYWk-s0_C5oy8/s1600/AEPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="1080" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRzda6J4XzOLeiZVBfw5d7LE8hjx2zu6x0kSBOjPGXMq_2ZDL6A8wZfCuriI_EeD-rfWvyQLRoOBQIABNYGEEU0FctvQWS5IYeMYNg4vpeFfa8ahO3dWyOe-Y7z9Wz5MYWk-s0_C5oy8/s320/AEPhoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The area engineers of the St. Louis District. To see <br />
full map go to <a href="https://www.modot.org/modot-area-engineers">https://www.modot.org/modot-area-engineers</a></td></tr>
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The area engineer may help find funding when a road needs
resurfacing a bridge needs replacing or a signal needs to be added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we look to local agencies for
financial help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great example is Route
47 from Washington to St. Clair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
communities along the corridor asked that Route 47 be widened to better handle
congestion and improve safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the
area engineer for the area, I suggested we all get together and form the Route
47 Corridor Committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The committee includes members from various agencies in St.
Clair, Union, Washington and Franklin County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The committee decided they couldn’t wait for Route 47 to come up for
funding in 2030, which is what was listed on the Long Range Transportation
Plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working together they funded a
corridor study to identify short, medium and long term solutions. </div>
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Public meetings were held to get others involved and we are
now working to determine the next steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We hope to find a funding solution that the communities and MoDOT can
afford together to improve Route 47. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02950756914079233905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-88922190109492840982018-08-27T11:33:00.000-07:002018-08-27T11:33:24.419-07:00Eyes in the Sky
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>By Brian Umfleet, Traffic Operations Engineer</em></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDLggLMZbaGwQ1Qcd_gBHHUbKQOzX1ToSANRUT8hSx-5CnS4nPBwDLNx1Y3Lx0HzQDz_IJw4_2cjWjOAebd5tDy8kiJJzMvtf1iUZcN615e-6iLaoFcLxFfjYezcEJDUoDTvqF4ssP8M/s1600/CCTV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDLggLMZbaGwQ1Qcd_gBHHUbKQOzX1ToSANRUT8hSx-5CnS4nPBwDLNx1Y3Lx0HzQDz_IJw4_2cjWjOAebd5tDy8kiJJzMvtf1iUZcN615e-6iLaoFcLxFfjYezcEJDUoDTvqF4ssP8M/s320/CCTV.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left, a MoDOT camera along the interstate.<br />
On the right, a close up of the camera.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever noticed the cameras
above you on the interstates when you should be focused on the road? No need to
worry, it’s not the police and you are not being recorded or photographed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just MoDOT and our 24/7 closed-circuit
cameras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MoDOT has roughly 500 cameras
along area interstates and state routes in the St. Louis District, which
includes St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson Counties and the City
of St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our cameras are not spying on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are used by the operators at the Traffic
Management Center for traffic monitoring, incident management and traveler
information purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They help us help
you with your daily commute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
congestion on the roadways to accidents and stalled vehicles, we use our
cameras to provide the appropriate response to that incident – whether it be
dispatching our emergency response crews or lighting up one of our message
boards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also have cameras at some of our
traffic signals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are not red light
cameras, but are used to figure out the timing of signals based on traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a vehicle moves towards an intersection it
enters the camera’s field of view which alerts the signal to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you would like to see what we
see on the roads you can access our traffic cameras by going to the </span><a href="http://www.gatewayguide.com/index.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">MoDOT Gateway Guide</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> home
page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02950756914079233905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-91406613039847529602018-08-06T12:45:00.001-07:002018-08-06T12:45:48.290-07:00Need a Job? MoDOT is Hiring!
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>By Linda Wilson Horn; Assistant to the District Engineer</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking for a new job or a career change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may have the right opportunity for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MoDOT’s St. Louis District is
hiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re looking for diverse opportunities,
challenging and purposeful work and a family friendly work environment, come
join our team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MoDOT is recognized as
one of the top departments of transportation in the country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The MoDOT St. Louis office includes 700 employees located
over the four metro counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson
as well as the City of St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Currently there are open positions for seasonal and full-time
maintenance workers and bridge maintenance, and civil engineers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also employ people with backgrounds in
equipment mechanics, electricians, surveyors, property acquisition, finance,
safety, human resources and information systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Applications for employment are accepted on a
continuing basis and will be kept in our system for up to six months for
applicable open positions. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzov3cXHW-bKKqK21Lc1ve2vTgAEehn0PtHLbHk0SYQxswyoY7OuaO9onQPuFxt1dSzhJ-0C8swYR_yq3blWl9enLQ7ZOYLMgtvZOJBQRccagCvugAsDyr3ntAGwCjHBCLRk8gt6MDXH8/s1600/modot+2018+diversity+color+ad6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="877" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzov3cXHW-bKKqK21Lc1ve2vTgAEehn0PtHLbHk0SYQxswyoY7OuaO9onQPuFxt1dSzhJ-0C8swYR_yq3blWl9enLQ7ZOYLMgtvZOJBQRccagCvugAsDyr3ntAGwCjHBCLRk8gt6MDXH8/s320/modot+2018+diversity+color+ad6.jpg" width="175" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For full-time and seasonal maintenance workers, MoDOT requires
applicants be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma and possess
a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with interstate designated status
and no airbrake restrictions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Civil engineering positions at MoDOT provide you with many
career paths and opportunities in the areas of bridge, design, construction,
materials, traffic, planning, maintenance and research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In your career at MoDOT, civil engineers can
pursue experiences in any or all of these areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entry level engineering positions require a
Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The benefits of being a state employee include more than pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New employees can earn up to three weeks of
annual leave and three weeks of sick leave each year, twelve paid holidays,
medical insurance, educational assistance, opportunity for overtime and vesting
in the state retirement system after five years of employment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">MoDOT is an equal opportunity employer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are committed to equal employment
opportunities without regard to age, race, creed, religion, sex, national
origin or disability status. If you are interested in employment at MoDOT,
please visit our website at </span><a href="http://www.modot.org/jobs"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.modot.org/jobs</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuVj8uOKSuCWd7swI7PU-AdnlMsAoSAtJU3T-g4ypR9TqgBzOrPrXgRoh3ZAiVQtfPd4j9UUof_UHnDY__iqgi9Std0nn-Zu_w5BMU4dMYqSjHr8um-qdjr6s_r-Jf82onxowlyfM8qU/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuVj8uOKSuCWd7swI7PU-AdnlMsAoSAtJU3T-g4ypR9TqgBzOrPrXgRoh3ZAiVQtfPd4j9UUof_UHnDY__iqgi9Std0nn-Zu_w5BMU4dMYqSjHr8um-qdjr6s_r-Jf82onxowlyfM8qU/s320/IMG_0216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02950756914079233905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-53129314410181607832018-07-09T12:18:00.001-07:002018-07-11T05:44:08.413-07:00Parterning Helps MoDOT Stretch Funding Dollars<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>By Andy Tuerck, MoDOT's St. Charles County Area Engineer</em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a
team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that’s what legendary coach Vince
Lombardi said and that is so true when it comes to building roads and
bridges in Missouri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes MoDOT
can’t do it alone so we partner with local cities and counties to get projects
done. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Partnering can be done in several ways and thanks in part to
St. Charles County’s ½ cent transportation sales tax; it’s something very
common in St. Charles County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of the ways we partner together is through the statewide
cost-share program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The program is
specifically <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">designed to build partnerships by pooling resources to deliver
state highway and bridge projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MoDOT
<span style="color: black;">allocates a specific amount of funding for cost-share
projects across the state and local governments apply for that funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new interchange being built at </span>Route
61 and Route P/Peine Road is a cost-share project with the $15 million project
being paid for by MoDOT, St. Charles County and the city of Wentzville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The I-70 Traffic Flow Improvement project that
just started in O’Fallon is another cost-share project with the cost being
shared by MoDOT and the city of O’Fallon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cost participation projects are similar to cost-share projects
except that MoDOT’s share of the funding comes from money already allocated to
the local district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The I-70 and Fifth
Street project came about when the county came up with a plan to make
improvements at Fifth Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MoDOT
contributed $1 million in funds for the rebuilding of the Fairgrounds Road
overpass so improvements could be made at both interchanges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another example of a cost participation
project is the upcoming project to build ramps at Gutermuth and Route 364. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MoDOT is also partnering with St. Charles County on the upcoming Route
N study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The study will look at what
improvements could be made between Interstate 64 and David Hoekel Parkway to
improve safety, congestion and traffic flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Making improvements to Route N is a priority for St. Charles County, but
due to funding constraints MoDOT has not been able to prioritize the route to
keep up with the explosive growth of the county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Route N is a state maintained road,
MoDOT agreed to conduct the study if the county would pay for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">These different partnerships are important to MoDOT not only
because of the improvements to state owned roads, but also the opportunity to
maintain relationships with local governments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those relationships are vital to the future of the state’s
transportation system and help the local community by improving the
transportation system as a whole.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjre41DDbcuGIHH0rcf1mio6xfpKyit4NPP_0UzowQNhWTRcowuM8TY7_w2Zi25LNL_Y21R3xHilZuIoMCEyMx2D68ga1Ey3DaJWt9JjQxa1KGFr_th3Fu1WvaWDQqnOtOyPCPSr6xvYMI/s1600/BlogPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjre41DDbcuGIHH0rcf1mio6xfpKyit4NPP_0UzowQNhWTRcowuM8TY7_w2Zi25LNL_Y21R3xHilZuIoMCEyMx2D68ga1Ey3DaJWt9JjQxa1KGFr_th3Fu1WvaWDQqnOtOyPCPSr6xvYMI/s400/BlogPhoto.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Projects funded through partnering - (upper left) I-70 and Fifth Street; <br />
Route 364 Page Phase 3, (upper right)Route 364/Page Phase 3 and <br />
(bottom) Route 61 at Route P/Peine Road. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02950756914079233905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-34097328073778505752018-06-19T11:04:00.001-07:002018-06-19T11:09:41.144-07:00Just Build It Already! <br />
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<em>By Lou Creamer, MoDOT St. Louis Transportation Planner</em></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsN30ZO6mO4SfAVEsPInqX4AAJQcr3VVsfbpogUFLDy3W9XsWJD0iWGoVASyBsGoneU91qUPxBN9Wlfkz9LtM9mzMJWmO4NNp9Z2zhVj6rZYTsvR_coLcpt5SHnroUWPzVXyGiOGVyZo/s1600/DRAFT_STIP2019-2023.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="388" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsN30ZO6mO4SfAVEsPInqX4AAJQcr3VVsfbpogUFLDy3W9XsWJD0iWGoVASyBsGoneU91qUPxBN9Wlfkz9LtM9mzMJWmO4NNp9Z2zhVj6rZYTsvR_coLcpt5SHnroUWPzVXyGiOGVyZo/s200/DRAFT_STIP2019-2023.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The DRAFT Statewide Transportation <br />
Improvement Program for 2019-2023</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Why don’t they just add another
lane?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When are they going to fix my
road?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t they just put a signal
at this intersection?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are all
valid questions when it comes to state maintained roads and bridges. </div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As MoDOT employees, we understand
that your tax money is valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
don’t take lightly the responsibility of being a steward of the taxpayer
dollars you pay and that’s why there is a process in place to make sure we get
the best projects for the dollars we have.</div>
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</div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The process is started after a need
is identified either by a local government, MoDOT’s planning committee or the
public (yes, we do read and listen to your comments).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The need is then studied, or “scoped” as we
call it, to see what the problem is and explore the best possible solution.</div>
<br />
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</div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Plans are developed and costs are
analyzed to find the most cost effective way to move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Projects are then reviewed, prioritized and
placed in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The STIP, as we call it, covers a five year
period and is updated every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The STIP
is then put out for public comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, the newest draft STIP is out for comment right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to know the public’s thoughts and
concerns about the projects and needs in their area. </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Comments are then presented to the
Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for review before they approve the
final STIP at the July 11 meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
To comment on the current draft
STIP, go to <a href="http://www.modot.org/plansandprojects/construction_program/DRAFT_STIP2019-2023/index.htm"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.modot.org/plansandprojects/construction_program/DRAFT_STIP2019-2023/index.htm</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The comment period ends July 6. </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02950756914079233905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-289545346645176292018-05-11T06:05:00.001-07:002018-05-11T06:05:43.291-07:00Littering is a growing problem - It's time to change that<strong>By Assistant District Engineer Mark Croarkin</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Trash on our state roads and/or right-of-way is a growing
problem in Missouri. It impairs public health, pollutes the environment and can
even lead to crashes on the highways. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Each year, MoDOT spends more than $5 million to clear litter
along Missouri highways. In the St. Louis region, over the past few years there
has been a significant increase in the volume of trash left on our roadway
system. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cleaning the trash off the highways has become an issue that
maintenance crews alone cannot keep under control. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been one instance where crews from a
single maintenance building picked up more than 1300 bags of trash in one week.
To offset that, MoDOT offers an Adopt-A-Highway program that provides volunteers
the opportunity to select an area that they will commit to pick up litter at
least four times a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Everyone can make a difference by educating friends,
neighbors and co-workers. Loose trash is more likely to end up on the roadways
than bagged trash. Simple acts such as bagging trash at home, work or community
events can account to saving millions of dollars and a far more attractive
region. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When driving, never let trash escape from the car. Keep it
contained in a bag inside of the vehicle. Help create a culture where people
speak up when they see someone with loose trash or an unsecured load on a
truck. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Littering is illegal and law enforcement is on the watch out
for offenders. The act can lead to a class A misdemeanor with a $1000 fine and
up to one year imprisonment. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Come and join the journey to making a cleaner and healthier
Missouri by eliminating litter. For more information on how to get involved,
please visit </span><a href="http://sharepoint/systemdelivery/mt/roadsides/Shared%20Documents/No_MOre_Trash!/Bash2017/www.nomoretrash.org"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">www.nomoretrash.org</span></span></a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />MoDOT Shaunda Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368361405429913721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-75408234748624587412018-04-19T08:11:00.000-07:002018-04-19T08:11:11.116-07:00Road Damage Claims - Not Just from Potholes<em>By Keri Essien</em><br />
<em>Senior Risk Management Technician</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Potholes, debris and aliens – oh my! Those are just some of the
damage claims turned into the MoDOT St. Louis risk management department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The department receives between four and 30
claims a day for incidents on Missouri roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The common complaints damage caused by potholes, road debris, falling
signs, signal malfunctions and wet striping paint but one of the more bizarre </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">cases<span style="color: black;">
involved a customer who </span>reported<span style="color: black;"> an
unidentified flying object </span>struck<span style="color: black;"> her vehicle
on an open stretch of I-70 in 2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>MoDOT unfortunately had to deny </span>any liability for the phenomenon.
</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">MoDOT’s liability is based on Missouri Revised Statu</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">t<span style="color: black;">e 537.600
which states MoDOT is not legally liable for a hazard unless it had sufficient </span>time
and knowledge<span style="color: black;"> to have taken measures to protect
against it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, MoDOT must </span>determine<span style="color: black;"> an accident was caused by willful negligence in order for
a customer to be reimbursed for expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 2017, MoDOT paid<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>approximately $3.2 million for 222 claims
statewide.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most people are surprised to learn they have the right to file
claim</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">s<span style="color: black;"> for damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span>claims
<span style="color: black;">process </span>reflects<span style="color: black;">
MoDOT’s</span> transparent approach to customer service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Claims can be filed online and are analyzed<span style="color: black;">, processed and submitted to a Jefferson City claims
adjuster for investigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Customers
usually receive a response within 48 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The one difference is for claims in construction zones, which are sent
to the </span>contractor for investigation. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As long as there are roads and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">customers<span style="color: black;"> to travel on them, </span>we
can assume that <span style="color: black;">liability claims will keep life at MoDOT
</span>busy <span style="color: black;">and </span>a <span style="color: black;">little
amusing. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpnxPCTOc01YSQBt0JWUIy-BsEP9VJUy33PbxNN0yrb6z3J9ob2RonT5NmN7F_dagqd6kL10x6qsufTBqLEfQ435UgNsc6GgOJYXBTz1sjCgCcakAel46x6wmGG-gOuVSXGhL1jomaKc/s1600/UFO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="504" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpnxPCTOc01YSQBt0JWUIy-BsEP9VJUy33PbxNN0yrb6z3J9ob2RonT5NmN7F_dagqd6kL10x6qsufTBqLEfQ435UgNsc6GgOJYXBTz1sjCgCcakAel46x6wmGG-gOuVSXGhL1jomaKc/s320/UFO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02950756914079233905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-37491806812190452532018-04-09T12:56:00.001-07:002018-04-09T12:57:02.093-07:00Avoid distractions and buckle up when driving through work zones.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv1Ce-GbR1UGF5nJfq-kwtODqtR2QFwkvLjGhX8o9hDViaBWAtLFUkmu-jQxHFI81Pzifk4hYGNOn4DooHdOwALzrY0sNPQKNQWzGR-PUCpGEaUkwvpvS0882ldR868xTc5H9J7XYIxg/s1600/2018-04-09WZAW_kickoff_80.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv1Ce-GbR1UGF5nJfq-kwtODqtR2QFwkvLjGhX8o9hDViaBWAtLFUkmu-jQxHFI81Pzifk4hYGNOn4DooHdOwALzrY0sNPQKNQWzGR-PUCpGEaUkwvpvS0882ldR868xTc5H9J7XYIxg/s320/2018-04-09WZAW_kickoff_80.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Fresen, a former MoDOT employee struck and injured in a work zone on I-270, speaks at the 2018 Work Zone Awareness Week kickoff event in St. Louis.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By Tom Blair, P.E.<br />
MoDOT St. Louis District Engineer<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>(April 8-14 is National Work Zone Awareness Week, a campaign to remind drivers to slow down and avoid distractions while driving through any work zone.)</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s spring in St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s been a wild ride this year – In the last month, we had a lot of
rain, followed by a snow or two in April. Despite the weather, we have a lot of
work zones this year, and many of them are along the I-44 corridor.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We have a lot of work scheduled on I-44 and several other
roadways this year, and we want to make sure people remember that they need to
pay attention every time they travel through one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy to become complacent when we drive
through a work zone every day, but we really shouldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work zones can change – from one day to the
next, or even from one hour to the next.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And it doesn’t matter which side of the river you are on –
when it comes to work zones, whether you are in Illinois or Missouri, we are all
on the same team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one wins if there
is a crash in a work zone. For the past year, MoDOT has been encouraging
drivers to wear their seat belt and put down their phone while driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of these habits can help keep you, and
us, safer as you drive, especially when you travel with work zones. I encourage
you strongly to take the Buckle Up/Phone Down Challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We’ll have work zones on almost every interstate this year.
We have work on I-44 from the Poplar Street Bridge all the way to the Crawford
County line, including several bridges in and just outside St. Louis City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also have a major project coming up on
I-270 near I-70 that will require several lanes to be closed around the clock.
At night, we’ll have resurfacing projects on I-270 and on I-44. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see more specifics on some of the
biggest work zones this year here by </span><a href="http://www.modot.org/stlouis/news_and_information/District6Release.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=214442"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">clicking
this link.</span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Paying attention to work zones is important because it helps
prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities. For instance, in the last year:</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In
2017, 13 people<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were killed in work zone
crashes on state roads and an additional three on local roads, for a total of
16 fatalities. One<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of those fatalities
was in St. Louis.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Between
2012 and 2017, 50 people were killed in work zone crashes on state roads and an
additional six on local roads, for a total of 43 fatalities. 11 of them were in
the St. Louis area.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Between
2012 and 2017, 2,844 people were injured in Missouri work zones on state roads
and an additional 965 on local roads, for a total of 3,809 injuries.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Since
2000</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, 19 <span style="color: black;">MoDOT
employees have been killed in the line of duty, 13 in work zones. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
best defense in a work zone crash, or any crash, is a seat belt. In 2017,
nearly two-thirds of the people who were killed in crashes were NOT wearing a
seat belt.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We believe that one fatality on Missouri roads is too many,
but we cannot reach our goal of zero roadway deaths by ourselves. We need your
help.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As you are driving, please watch out for us. If you see
flashing lights ahead of you, please be prepared to slow down or move over.
Many of work zones on our roads are the short-term work zones where our crews
are repairing roadways, patching potholes, mowing or cleaning trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These slow-moving work zones can show up on
almost any roadway at almost any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These operations travel at about 10 miles per hour. You can quickly
approach a lane closed for road work if you aren’t paying attention. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our crews work hard to help keep you safe. By slowing down
and moving over, you can help keep us safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are all in this together – together we can ensure drivers on both
sides of the river and our crews – go home safely at the end of every day.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You can also help by using the Traveler Information Map
before you travel, and by filling out our on-line work zone report cards to let
crews know how they’re doing. Work Zone Awareness is about keeping MoDOT crews
and motorists safe.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-11377996214844340032018-03-19T11:18:00.000-07:002018-03-19T11:19:04.718-07:00Construction, construction -- everywhere construction!<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTGJfa6d7b6gZ26mykQJ5CyeotTeETtlpKYi1YBp-wzQAOaVzfA5fpEcJ49lVchqwXWiUnf7QrMjQM1kIK1bGIyqHN6N5Ipyq-MN_anl0ZqUZX7LOiAkrZKRFnhA3JKkL9gCx5kgJfSA/s1600/28872829_10155248676611752_976178927295954777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTGJfa6d7b6gZ26mykQJ5CyeotTeETtlpKYi1YBp-wzQAOaVzfA5fpEcJ49lVchqwXWiUnf7QrMjQM1kIK1bGIyqHN6N5Ipyq-MN_anl0ZqUZX7LOiAkrZKRFnhA3JKkL9gCx5kgJfSA/s320/28872829_10155248676611752_976178927295954777_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction on the I-64 bridge over the Mississippi River.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">By Michael Castro<br /><em>St. Louis District Construction and Materials Engineer</em></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, it’s spring, and construction work zones are springing
up on surrounding roads like crabgrass in your lawn – and are almost as
welcome.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we move into the construction season, especially when
there are projects that have stopped through the winter, one of the big
questions the department is often asked is “why can’t you finish one project
before you start another?”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There are several reasons, but the two biggest ones are
keeping up with roadway maintenance needs and money.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With more than 33,000 miles of roadway in Missouri and about
1,600 miles of roadway in St. Louis (most of which have multiple lanes), there
simply is too much maintenance that would need to be done to keep the roadway
in good, safe operational condition without working in several locations. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But as importantly, it would be an ineffective use of the
construction forces in the area, and would drive up the cost of construction
significantly.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You see, most of the day to day repairs on the roadway –
pothole patching, signal or sign repairs and the like – are done with MoDOT
maintenance teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, MoDOT
typically designs major construction projects and then puts them out for bid to
the contracting community – a process called design-bid-build.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MoDOT simply doesn’t have all the specialized
equipment needed to complete major construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having several projects working at the same
time means that contractor equipment and workers that aren’t needed for one project can
move to another and help the construction contractors stay efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most construction projects have a specific
path of construction that needs to be completed – you can’t place the driving
surface for a roadway before you have completed the necessary repairs to the
support network and fill underneath the roadway.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">All construction projects have impacts, and MoDOT does
attempt to minimize those impacts as much as possible – or use the impacts from
one project to help reduce the impacts of another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good example is the work along I-44 in and
near St. Louis City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bridge repair
work between Grand and Kingshighway reduces traffic to three lanes on westbound
I-44.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lane merging causes a significant
amount of congestion around construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, having one lane merge back here improves the safety and reduces
congestion between the two work zones. However, the department works very hard
to avoid putting additional construction on surrounding routes that people may
use to detour around the work or the congestion.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There are more impacts from construction than just congestion,
especially in an urban area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light and
sound around construction zones are very impactful in a residential
neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working around the clock
on construction may save time, but it usually is more expensive (because of the
hazards of working at night, even under lights) and the impacts on the
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MoDOT does look at working at
night – especially when the traffic impacts may need to be significant (such as
interstate resurfacing work), but that does have to be balanced with the costs,
and the impact to the surrounding residents.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The primary goal in all of this is to ensure that all
Missourians have a safe and operational transportation system, while still
being good stewards of the funding that Missouri has entrusted to the
department.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While driving through work zones, remember to slow down to
the posted speed limits, avoid distractions – especially cell phones, wear your
seat belt and pay attention to the signs around the construction.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-54694490977713516192018-03-01T08:34:00.000-08:002018-03-01T08:34:49.910-08:00Work along I-44 to significantly impact commuting traffic through St. Louis City<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQGahtVGqAa_kYlZlqCfCkypq8SwrAzfOLaKhQ8B9sCow41jQNAmvLldl67ErKjn0s5I3bqHjm7wgCdqcegyoc3g7YqBfnzV9GAu8DFW0A4aU_ElTAEQqvjQFr4mNbRnvdVANWtKyJU4/s1600/i-44+work-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQGahtVGqAa_kYlZlqCfCkypq8SwrAzfOLaKhQ8B9sCow41jQNAmvLldl67ErKjn0s5I3bqHjm7wgCdqcegyoc3g7YqBfnzV9GAu8DFW0A4aU_ElTAEQqvjQFr4mNbRnvdVANWtKyJU4/s400/i-44+work-2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction in the St. Louis City area that is among the work that will be impacting travel along the I-44 corridor for the next year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em>Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a revitalization of the Missouri
Department of Transportation, St. Louis area, blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, we are anticipating sharing a
new blog item about every two weeks on topics of general transportation
interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have an item you would
like to have considered for discussion, please feel free to let us know.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><strong>By Tom
Blair, MoDOT St. Louis District Engineer:</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s
spring in St. Louis, which means that the delays commuters experience from
snow, ice or other incidents is replaced by those from construction.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
year in St. Louis is no different with several dozen construction projects
underway, ranging from signal replacements to interstate river bridge
replacements.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
work is all a part of taking care of the system – making sure that the 6,800
miles of state roadway in the St. Louis area remains safe and in good
condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s somewhat similar to the
regular maintenance that homeowners get used to as part of taking care of their
property.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And like
that maintenance, sometimes the impacts can be inconvenient, especially on the
interstates, multiplied by the thousands of vehicles that use the roadway
daily.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So what
can you expect for the next year, and where do we anticipate some of the larger
delays may be?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Drivers
who currently use the I-44 corridor to travel or as part of your commute will
have the most impacts in the 2018 construction season. Several projects along
the corridor – both in the city and in St. Louis County, are expected to have
around-the-clock lane closures </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We have
several projects along the I-44 corridor – from the Mississippi River all the
way out to the Crawford County line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
of them – the bridge replacement near Shrewsbury and the bridge work between
Kingshighway and 39<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Street in St. Louis City – will have a very
large impact on travel into and through the St. Louis City area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, work will start the week of March 5
on the I-44 bridge project at Shrewsbury. Crews will close two westbound lanes
and one eastbound lane and will shift traffic from the eastbound to the
westbound lanes. If traffic levels continue as they are today, that will mean
long delays during peak traffic times, especially westbound. We encourage
drivers that regularly use that section of I-44 to start looking at some of
their other options now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some,
adjusting the time of their commute may be an option, or talking to their company
about telecommuting options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others may
want to consider alternate routes to get around the construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For others, using ride-sharing, carpooling or
transit options may be the best choice. Drivers need to make their decision now
about what their choice will be to avoid the possible backups and congestion</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As we
determine what work needs to be done in the region, we look at the bridge and
roadway conditions and we prioritize the work, scheduling the needed work based
on what funding we are projecting for the year. That means that we tend
to focus on one corridor for a long period of time. I-44 is more than 50
years old, and most interstate roadways/bridges have an expected lifespan of
about 50 years. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
understand the frustration with lane closures and congestion; the less we
try to impact the traveling public (with lane closures and the like), the
longer projects take. We try to ensure that we get as much traffic
through as we can, but we also encourage drivers to consider options, where
they can use them. That is one of the reasons we started sharing
information about impacts as early as we did – to be open about what drivers
can expect, so they can make the choices that work best for them.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">To stay
informed, the department has several avenues where drivers can get information
about upcoming lane closures and impact in the St. Louis area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put out a work zone report every Wednesday
afternoon detailing work for the next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also share information on social media – namely Twitter (@MoDOT_StLouis)
and Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/MoDOT-St-Louis-286948911751/).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People can sign up for the e-update lists of
our larger projects –such as the Poplar Street Bridge and I-44 work at
Shrewsbury. You can find out more information on projects in the greater St.
Louis area at http://www.modot.org/stlouis/. Finally, people can check out
information on our Traveler Information Map: </span><a href="http://traveler.modot.org/map/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">http://traveler.modot.org/map/index.html</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-28908796204877709042015-08-17T12:08:00.001-07:002015-08-17T12:09:58.235-07:00MoDOT investigates history at base of PSB ramps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE3WH1IdHHGMHdvUXvj3Z02dYbrKoJspX4vhxzwzrLHpESfvOzX0jrqoWzAVrsuTBkhIBQK2nD9Tq2AtNioCElYjCEkjz7oBxL_fWGMBnwxVobmxpoGk0tVUalPLZJdZfJ69up3qWpS0/s1600/DSCN8577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="MoDOT preservation specialists participate in a study of an area in downtown St. Louis" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE3WH1IdHHGMHdvUXvj3Z02dYbrKoJspX4vhxzwzrLHpESfvOzX0jrqoWzAVrsuTBkhIBQK2nD9Tq2AtNioCElYjCEkjz7oBxL_fWGMBnwxVobmxpoGk0tVUalPLZJdZfJ69up3qWpS0/s320/DSCN8577.JPG" title="Studying history of downtown St. Louis" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5sazvaYj9fdc91CVX8Oz6PNn7Q2Jbh-yplAxv0LdoEq5rcbO03HM0_OCyLpsLNFmfkrhOii5rKK1l0ClBByBsd0zcUz0FOZNVS4yAApoFR_BpdjyHmamqW1Yw2Cq8dT776VdRjmfpcc/s1600/DSCN8577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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ST. LOUIS --He’s not Indiana Jones, but he’s MoDOT’s closest thing to
it. </div>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of the distinctive fedora and leather jacket, he
jauntily sports a bright yellow hard hat and florescent work vest.</div>
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And fortunately, the most dangerous thing around him is the
noise from the nearby trains and the occasional passing tractor trailer truck.</div>
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But like the famed fictional archeologist, Michael Meyer
found himself intrigued and excited by history at a young age.</div>
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“I have never grown up – this is something I wanted to do as
a kid. I have a job that fascinates and intrigues me. I can’t imagine doing
anything else,” he said.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meyer leads a team of
preservation specialists for the department who are currently investigating a
portion of cleared land between several elevated railroad tracks and the Poplar
Street Bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are preserving a
portion of St. Louis history that may be impacted by next year’s construction to
widen the ramp from northbound I-55 to the eastbound bridge.</div>
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“What we do is more than archeology – we are tasked to
consider how our projects may impact the history the general public wishes to
preserve,” said Meyer.</div>
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That “tasking” is due to the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The act instructs
organizations involved in construction to consider the impact that work may
have on historic areas, such as the downtown St. Louis area.</div>
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In many cases, MoDOT’s historic preservation office works
with the design team to adjust projects to avoid an impact to a historic
site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In others, such as this one, where
it is impossible to move the bridge or the ramps, the office sets out to
investigate and document historical areas to ensure the information is
preserved for future<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>generations and for
additional study.</div>
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In the specific area where Meyer and his four person team
are investigating – a mid-19<sup>th</sup> century settler’s home constructed
over a mid-18<sup>th</sup> century French settler.</div>
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“We were able to determine through a records search that a
French soldier built a home here in about 1765. Then, about the mid-1860s an
American settler built a three story home in about the same location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted to see what we could find of both
homes. This was a very significant historical site and potentially a fragile
one. Most of the earth over the site was about one to two feet deep. So, there
was a distinct possibility that historical features could be damaged by
something as simple as a loaded truck driving over the area,” said Meyer.</div>
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Finding the home from the 1860s was easy, Meyer said. They
were able to find clear evidence of the 18<sup>th</sup> century French
soldier’s home as well. French construction at the time used a process called
“post-in-earth,” where the builder digs and trench and places vertical walls in
that trench – somewhat like a log cabin with vertical logs instead of
horizontal. The preservation team was able to locate and identify the
distinctive footprint of the “post-in-earth” trenches, despite the challenges
the terrain and time have taken.</div>
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Meyer reads the patterns and lines of earth in the dig site
like most people read a map. He points out features of the two homes based on a
different shade or type of earth that has been uncovered. Most of the time, he
is excited about the history that those shades or types of earth represent.
That is, until he points to several thick, darker lines of earth that cut
across the area that he identifies as looter’s trenches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was where collectors dug up the area about six or
seven years ago looking for bottles to ‘preserve’ them. About the same time, a
historical building was demolished in the area and they probably decided to
come here and look for bottles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may
be preserving history, but are disturbing a much more important historical site
to find something commonplace. In doing so, they make it harder to interpret
what happened in the past,” Meyer said.</div>
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The team has also found some evidence of prehistoric cultures
– mostly chert flakes from tools. Meyer believes that the tools may have been
discarded as the hunter-gatherers moved from their settlements in the north to
a creek entering the Mississippi River in the south.</div>
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This work complements work done before around the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meyer says the team is creating a database of
property around the St. Louis area from the French Colonial time. </div>
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“We have contributed to creating a small picture of the
colonial era in St. Louis. We’ve looked at houses, outbuildings and other
buildings that give us a broader view of life in colonial St. Louis. Different
buildings, different status – merchants, solders and the like which give us a
better understanding of life as St. Louis was colonized. This is important
because we need to understand where we came from,” said Meyer.</div>
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“Historically, people settle and travel around the area for
the same reasons then as we do now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
important to study how people dealt with the same problems in the past –
infrastructure, bridges, sewer systems. We make a mistake if we don’t take a
look at how people in the past solved the same problems we face.”</div>
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In this case, Meyer hopes that the work that he does will be
part of a greater study of the area. </div>
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“It’s a challenge to find something new to build on what
we’ve learned before – and it’s exhilarating to find something new that
challenges what we thought we knew before.”</div>
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MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-40207594095689282912011-04-12T11:45:00.000-07:002011-04-12T11:46:23.706-07:00MoDOT launches new, improved Gateway GuideIt’s been a long time coming, but the new, improved MoDOT Gateway Guide is here. <br />
<br />
Now, like many people, when I hear new and improved, my cynical nature kicks in and I wonder if I am going to be the butt of some cosmic marketing joke where someone added a fragrance to some product just so they can say it's "new and improved." Though adding a scratch and sniff element to the MoDOT Gateway Guide website is an interesting thought – perhaps new car? – there’s more to the website’s improvement than a few cosmetic changes.<br />
<br />
The biggest change is to the camera views – right now, all 300 cameras are available for viewing on-line. Although every camera can't be on the home page, users can now select the route they want and see all the available cameras. Viewers have the option of viewing a still image or a 60-second live view updated every two seconds. The map for the camera is zoomable, which makes grabbing the camera icons easier and the new highway snapshots gives users a quick view of all the cameras along one roadway.<br />
<br />
Another major change is My STL Traffic. This program will allow you to subscribe to a set of roadways between certain times and on certain days to get information on roadway closures on the routes you take to work, to school or on your day to day activities. You can sign up for either e-mail or text alerts, or view information on your mobile phone. You can also be notified if the roadway is completely closed at any time.<br />
<br />
Although behind the scenes, another huge improvement is the web site’s compatibility. The old site was optimized for Internet Explorer, so all the people who liked other web browsers had two choices:<br />
<br />
1) Use a browser they didn’t care for, or<br />
2) Use their browser, but lose some significant functions (like the minimal zoom function)<br />
<br />
About 35 percent of our users chose the second option, using their browser despite the stilted functioning of the website. That, however, is a thing of the past, as the new Gateway Guide is compatible with the other common, popular browsers.<br />
<br />
There’s many other improvements to check out on the updated MoDOT Gateway Guide. The new website is updated to give users a better view of the roadways before, or as, they travel to allow them to avoid congestion. This keeps traffic safer and keeps our air cleaner. We’d love to have you take a look and let us know what you think, or what we might be able to improve. <a href="http://www.gatewayguide.com">Check out the new website</a>, take our survey and tell us what you think. If it’s been a while since you’ve gone to MoDOT Gateway Guide, please give it another try. It’s new and improved, although without the new car smell.<br />
<br />
Andrew Gates<br />
MoDOT Community RelationsMoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-72679098778327870782010-12-07T12:27:00.000-08:002010-12-07T12:45:46.672-08:00Posting Travel Times on Arterial RoutesI work in a few different locations during the week, and I use the overhead message boards (at least when they have travel times) to at least give me an idea of what I can expect on the roadway ahead.<br /><br />When I am traveling west on I-70 out of the city in the evening, I can tell if there has been a crash on the road ahead long before I hit the city limits. There's a nice overhead message board that tells me how long I can expect to be on the road if I am heading toward I-270. If I see the sign indicating that it's about 25 minutes to I-270, I know there's some slowdown in traffic ahead. Depending on what other information is available (perhaps an crash location or lanes closed ahead) I can even make an early decision to change my route to something that may be a little longer, but will be faster in the long run.<br /><br />Now, MoDOT is putting that same technology to work on some of the other major roads in the city. Right now, Route 94 in St. Charles has smaller versions of the message boards active and providing travel times betwen I-70 and Route 40. In the next few months, we'll be installing and turning on similar boards on Route 141 and Lindbergh (Route 67).<br /><br />MoDOT put these boards up at decision points -- major intersecting highways and river crossings at I-70, Route 364 and Route 40/61. Paying attention to the information these signs provide can help drivers make better choices about which roadways or bridges they want to use.<br /><br />At the least, it gives them the option to decide if they want to spend some time with their fellow travelers in congestion or choose a different route.<br /><br />Andrew Gates<br />MoDOT Community RelationsMoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-69771698224518141812010-07-16T09:34:00.000-07:002010-07-16T09:38:24.316-07:00Flashing Yellow Arrows Work BetterEven as early as kindergarten, I remember reciting the basic traffic rules mantra – “Red means ‘stop,’ green means ‘go.’ Now, although many people, myself included, often believe that yellow means step on the gas, I do still remember the often unmentioned addendum to the mantra – “Yellow means ‘proceed with caution.’ <br /><br />However, paying attention to that mantra was why traffic engineers are starting to embrace the use of the flashing yellow turn signal arrows to let drivers know they can make a yielding left turn. Until recently, most intersections that allowed drivers to turn left in the spaces between on-coming traffic used a round green ball signal with a sign that told drivers to turn left on the green ball. That rule made sense, but it didn’t keep the signals consistent. When the signal was green, you couldn’t “go,” you were supposed to “proceed with caution.” <br /><br />So as St. Louis started to test these signals (three of them on Olive Boulevard in 2006) and now is installing them in locations around the area (currently, there are a number on Route K in St. Charles county, five more on Olive Boulevard, and a number on Lindbergh Boulevard), the concept made sense to me. <br /> <br />I have seen some comments from local drivers during the introduction of the flashing yellow arrows. They seemed to fall into two categories. 1) people seem to be confused by these signals, and 2) the change is simply because someone wanted to justify their continued existence and adjusted these signals just for the sake of change. <br /><br />The first part may be somewhat true – as you introduce a new element to the driver, some of them can potentially misinterpret what the flashing yellow arrow means. The second is flat-out wrong. The Federal Highway Administration sponsored a study that showed that the signals were safer, and that more people understood what the flashing yellow arrow meant.<br />Basically it breaks down this way – the green ball signal with the yield sign is equal to the flashing yellow arrow. The flashing arrow is more intuitive, is safer, and is more consistent with what we teach our youth about traffic signals. <br /><br />You can find out more information on the flashing yellow arrows at <a href="http://www.modot.org/stlouis/links/flashingyellowarrows.htm">our website</a>. You can also access the Federal Study from that site. We also have a video showing how to drive through a flashing yellow arrow on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9coaImuzqk">YouTube</a>. <br /><br />Andrew Gates<br />MoDOT Community RelationsMoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-68817051819433194222010-03-16T08:21:00.000-07:002010-03-16T08:34:33.198-07:00Missouri's largest ARRA project startsYesterday, MoDOT and local politicians got together to launch the last section of a project that has been in the works for about 40 years -- the final section of Route 141.<br /><br />Route 141, between Ladue and Olive Boulevard is still a three lane road (one lane in each direction with a turn lane). Often, during the spring or heavy rainfall, the section of Route 141 there has to be closed due to flooding. Also, anyone who has driven through the area during morning or evening rush hours can expect to be backed up for some time at Parkway Central or as Route 141 goes from a four lane divided highway to a three lane road.<br /><br />This $44.5 million project is paid for by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money will pull Route 141 above the flood plain and improve the traffic flow on the route. Not only that, but by relocating the new route to the east, a great deal of through traffic from Route 141 (people accessing the Maryland Heights Expressway and Route 364 to St. Charles County) will be removed from a roadway that services two schools, a school bus depot and a number of businesses and subdivisions.<br /><br />This project will make the roadway safer and move traffic more efficently. Work on the project starts this month and work should be completed by summer 2010.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-12325929087280819182009-07-24T07:40:00.000-07:002009-07-24T07:59:38.465-07:00Saving money, one project at a timeMoDOT has found a silver lining in the dark cloud of the economic decline. The department has seen a decline of revenue in the past year since people are less likely to drive long distances or buy new vehicles. Since the department relies on gas taxes, registration fees and vehicle taxes for funding to maintain and build roads and bridges.<br /><br />Fortunately, last fiscal year, in St. Louis, the department saved $33 million in its construction budget -- nearly 24 percent of what was budgeted for the year. These savings will be rolled back into other construction projects -- allowing the department to complete more work for you.<br /><br />One of the more successful methods of reducing costs is what the department calls practical design. This method takes a look at making sure that transportation projects are fixing specific needs, rather than putting in unneeded "frills." Another extensively used method brings contractors into the design process early to let them propose innovative methods to complete the work. So far, we've seen proposals involving alternate materials, varied designs and revised schedules.<br /><br />All in all, by aggressively managing projects to get them completed on time and under budget, MoDOT continues to try to meet its commitments to the Missouri taxpayers.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-50959372510983820702009-06-17T13:22:00.000-07:002009-06-17T13:24:18.089-07:00Implementing a Travel Safe ZoneMonday, MoDOT implemented a Travel Safe Zone on eastbound I-64 between Mason Road and Ballas Road.<br /><br />MoDOT implements Travel Safe Zones on those stretches of highway that significantly exceed the number of crashes with fatalities or disabling injuries when compared with similar highways with comparable traffic counts. The department uses a formula to determine a crash rate, based on the length of the stretch of highway, the number of crashes and the daily traffic on that highway. <br /><br />In this case, there were 443 crashes over the last three years on eastbound I-64 in this area, including 180 crashes in 2008. Of those 443 crashes in the past three years, there were nine major crashes. In those nine major crashes, there were four fatalities and 33 people who received disabling injuries. Additionally, 295 of the 443 crashes were rear-end crashes, primarily during the day when the road was dry and the sky was clear. This tends to indicate excessive speed along the route, or distracted driving.<br /><br />One of the public concerns we have heard about the Travel Safe Zone is that it is at the request of the local municipalities to increase their revenues. This is completely false – MoDOT initiated the Travel Safe Zone and MoDOT gets NO money from traffic tickets written along state routes. This is truly a safety issue. Our hope is to have people increase their safety awareness in this area, slow down and pay attention.<br /><br />Currently, this Travel Safe Zone will remain in operation for a year.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-60323089777482684402009-05-06T13:43:00.000-07:002009-05-06T13:45:32.380-07:00Variable Speed Limits – What’s the deal?MoDOT is currently in a two-year study on the use and effectiveness of Variable Speed Limits (where traffic engineers raise and lower the speed limits based on how fast traffic is moving). Since the project was implemented in May 2008, the department has surveyed drivers and collected speed data. The media is reporting on preliminary findings of that survey (which include the fact that at this point, law enforcement and drivers are not convinced of its effectiveness).<br /><br />As one of the people sitting in on developing the criteria for the study, I have to admit that this was completely expected. One of the items I hoped to see as part of the study was a change in public opinion through the two-year project. This is a brand-new idea to the St. Louis area -- using variable speeds to manage the volume of traffic flow through congested areas is completely new, and people don’t like change they don’t completely understand. <br /><br />This early data from this study helps MoDOT determine what it’s doing correctly and what it isn’t. For instance, one of the big areas that drivers and law enforcement both stress is that they don’t believe the public is as informed as they need to be about how variable speed limits work. That’s a great point, and something that MoDOT (and I) need to look at. So – <a href="http://www.modot.org/stlouis/links/VariableSpeedLimits.htm">we have a website that talks about how the project works,</a> we have a flyer that we handed out, and we’ve put spots in the media. What else do you suggest? I’ll consider any reasonable request (especially if it’s cheap (since we are a state agency.))MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-43945378377635350272009-04-30T06:34:00.000-07:002009-04-30T06:49:12.004-07:00Congratulations to new journeyman graduatesIt's been a while since I've posted out here, and it's been a busy month. However, that is no excuse for not sharing through our blog format.<br /><br />However, I got some news recently that I think is fantastic (and not just because I have to say that since I am a spokesperson for MoDOT.)<br /><br />The I-64 project is about setting new methods of achieving goals, and looking for ways that we, as a community, can get the right things done. And though it may not be as celebrated as reopening half of the roadway on time, I think the I-64 team has just reached another important goal.<br /><br />As you may remember, we helped train a number of socially or economically disadvantaged individuals in pre-apprentice programs and then get apprenticeship training on the I-64 project. The first five have completed their apprenticeships and are now journeymen (or should that be journeypersons...?) Although I didn't work through the construction industry, I was in the military, and I know how I felt after about four years of hard work when I officially completed an apprenticeship. These five people (two carpenters, a mason, and two laborers) have every reason to be proud of their efforts. <br /><br />We have 12 more people who should complete their requirements for journeyman status before the end of the I-64 project. Congratulations to the recent journeyman graduates and good luck in the future!<br /><br /><a href="http://http://www.modot.org/stlouis/news_and_information/District6News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=30262">You can read more at our website.</a><br /><br />Andrew GatesMoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-44355976148554499452009-03-24T09:09:00.000-07:002009-03-24T09:21:19.408-07:00Roads are much improved, thanks to taxpayersTaypayers can thank their efforts, primarily through voting for Amendment 3, for the increase in the number of major roads that are in good condition. Across the state, the Missouri Department of Transportation has invested the taxpayer money entrusted to the department in making major roads smoother. Since 2004, the percentage of major roads across Missouri which are now in good condition has increased 36 percent. In the St. Louis area, conditions of major roads in the area, which include Interstates 70, 64/40, 44, 270, 55, 170 and Routes 30, 21 and 364 (the Page Extension) have increased from 53.6 percent in good condition in 2004 to 84.6 percent in good condition in 2008.<br /><br />Other organizations have noticed the better roads, as well. Truck drivers voted Missouri roads as the fifth best in the nation in a survey published in January by Overdrive magazine, a publication serving the commercial motor carrier industry. The Reason Foundation listed Missouri as among the nation’s leaders in maintaining its transportation system and getting good value, and the Pew Center on the States gave Missouri a B+ for its infrastructure performance.<br /><br />MoDOT is continuing to use available money to improve roadways. Better Roads, Brighter Future is making the remainder of major highways smoother with wider stripes and more visible signs. The Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement program is repairing or replacing 802 of the state's worst bridges by 2014.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-61031197141751891452009-03-20T08:57:00.000-07:002009-03-20T09:39:32.211-07:00Commission approves nine Recovery Act projects for St. LouisYesterday, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission approved using American Recovery and Rivitalization Act (ARRA) funding for nine projects in the St. Louis metropolitan area, pending approval from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. These projects, totalling $173 million, should create about 5,900 jobs throughout the region. All projects were determined in conjection with MoDOT's regional partners (to include municipal and county leadership) and meet the requirements for being ready to go. All projects in the region were selected from projects recommended for priority implementation in the region's long-range transportation plan. <a href="http://www.modot.org/stlouis/links/St.LouisdistrictARRAprojects.htm">View the list of approved projects here</a>.<br /><br />MoDOT is spending more than $525 million of ARRA funding throughout Missouri. Additionally, the state will spend roughly $151 million on other rail, aviation and transit projects, $19 million on enhancement projects and $93 million on county and municipal road projects in St. Louis, Kansas City and the Ozarks.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-8882667072368817712009-03-11T09:44:00.000-07:002009-03-11T09:46:20.132-07:00Planning to revitalize the economyLast night, the Missouri Department of Transportation outlined the draft list of projects slated for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 money. The money Missouri received for roads and bridges work is roughly 1½ percent of the entire amount required to fully meet the transportation infrastructure needs across the state.<br /><br />There are specific rules for a project to be selected for ARRA money. Half of the projects have to be able to be under contract before June 30 – the rest have to be under contract before March 2, 2010. They have to be completed within three years and have to be in areas that are economically distressed and have to maximize job creation after the project is completed. <br /><br />The projects outlined in the draft list included <a href="http://http//www.modot.org/stlouis/links/documents/Modotdraftprojectsd6.pdf">nine in the St. Louis area</a>. The major projects in the St. Louis draft list have been on the regional long-range planner for many years. All the projects on the list have been coordinated and discussed with our municipal and county partners throughout the Greater Metropolitan area. <a href="http://http//www.modot.org/firstinnation/documents/RecoveryBillpassed_alldistricts031009_withestimatechangesindescription.pdf">You can view the entire list here</a>.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-52446927809436785102009-02-02T11:35:00.001-08:002009-02-02T11:36:28.923-08:00MoDOT activates first traffic cameras in Jefferson CountyJefferson County drivers along Interstate 55 can now get a better look at their commute, as the Missouri Department of Transportation activated five traffic cameras along the interstate in the county. Drivers can view these cameras, as well as other newly activated cameras along I-55 in south St. Louis County at GatewayGuide.com.<br /> Using the new cameras, drivers can make informed decisions about their commute before they leave work or home. MoDOT can also better monitor traffic conditions and detect incidents such as crashes or congestion on I-55. That information will help the department report conditions on roadways around St. Louis on overhead message boards, Gateway Guide.com and on MoDOT’s 5-1-1 traffic information number. If an incident does occur, MoDOT can dispatch crews to help with traffic control and road clearance, and relay information to the Missouri Highway Patrol.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-47627031510734087892009-01-20T06:41:00.000-08:002009-01-20T06:56:53.458-08:00A hope for saving livesThere's no simple or sugar-coated way to put it: people die on the roadways. Although Missouri has worked hard to reduce those numbers (and done so successfully), there is sill a simple way to save about 10 percent of the people who die on Missouri roadways -- incorporating a primary safety belt law.<br /><br />This year, MoDOT is working with legislators to get a primary safety belt law passed in Missouri. Increasing safety belt use is the most effective and immediate way to save lives and reduce injuries on Missouri roads. Of more than 500 Missouri traffic laws, the current safety belt law is the only one that has a secondary enforcement provision - <em>a driver must break another law first before they can be cited for a safety belt violation</em>.<br /><br />MoDOT estimates that we can save more than 90 lives and prevent more than 1,000 serious injuries each year by passing a primary safety belt law. To do this, we need your help. <a href="http://www.savemolives.com/programs/PSB/index.htm">Find out how Missouri can save more lives each year here.</a>MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580392803627060538.post-17071854638440356102009-01-12T06:57:00.000-08:002009-01-12T07:06:53.903-08:00Traffic flow on I-270/I-255MoDOT is currently doing a study on some of the recent changes to move traffic along I-270 and I-255 in St. Louis, primarily the Variable Speel Limit project. As part of that study, the department is looking for people to take a short survey to determine how effective these traffic changes are. Provide your opinion on traffic flow on the I-270/I-255 loop in Missouri <a href="http://heartlandmarketresearch.com/surveys/vsl.htm">by going here</a>. This survey will remain open until the end of the study, in mid-2010. However, by putting information in now, and as the study continues, drivers in St. Louis can give their input on any improvement (or lack thereof) on traffic flow on St. Louis' busiest interstate.MoDOT- Andrew Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07758831412931871761noreply@blogger.com0