Express Lane

April 6, 2023

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MoDOT hosting this year's National Work Zone Awareness Event

"Work with us" theme asks drivers to make smart choices for everyone's safety

With a record-breaking $1.5 billion allocated for road and bridge work, Missouri drivers can expect to encounter several work zones and ongoing maintenance operations during their travels this year. MoDOT's Work Zone Awareness campaign helps get employees home safely.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is hosting the National Work Zone Awareness Week April 17-21, urging motorists to “work with us” by making smart, safe driving choices behind the wheel to protect themselves and those they share the road with, including highway workers. There will be educational work zone safety messages throughout April as well as various high-impact work zones highlighted on statewide social media.

There will also be a statewide news conference on the morning of April 18 with several federal and local guest speakers in attendance. This event will not be open to the public due to limited space on the Rocheport bridge construction site but will be livestreamed on the statewide MoDOT Facebook page.

People are encouraged to share these safety messages as well as the news conference with loved ones and colleagues. And remember, it’s not just a courtesy to slow down and move over for these work zones—it’s the law.

Be aware of changing traffic conditions, observe warning signs and merge before reaching lane closures.

You can help make your travel safer by checking out what work zones you’ll encounter before you go. Visit MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for more information, and be sure to follow MoDOT’s Facebook and Twitter pages for the National Work Zone Awareness Week event on April 18.

More states share BUPD initiative across the nation

MoDOT's Buckle Up Phone Down campaign began in 2017 and was recently recognized by USDOT's Call to Action campaign inviting citizens to eliminate roadway fatalities.

Since then, 12 other states have shared the BUPD message on social media and many have adopted the campaign in their own transportation departments. Learn more.

Important tips for safer travel through work zones

Driver inattention was the number one cause of work zone crashes last year. The average text takes five seconds to read. Traveling at 55 mph, that means you will travel more than the length of a football field while texting, which can be catastrophic in a slow-moving work zone. Awareness saves lives. Remember, Buckle Up Phone Down! Learn more.

Focus on Bridges program nears completion

In 2019, Gov. Mike Parson recognized the need for additional funding for infrastructure projects and put forth a $351 million proposal to repair or replace the state’s 250 worst bridges. Last month, the Governor’s Focus on Bridge program hit a major milestone with the final bridges going under contract. To date, 223 bridges have been completed. Learn more.

Today in Transportation History - April 6, 1926

Varney Air Lines began "America's most modern and rapid mail transportation" service with a history-making airmail flight that started in Pasco, Washington. This was one of the first airmail contracts to be awarded to a private airline by the U.S. Post Office Department. Varney Air Lines was eventually acquired by the airline group that formed United Airlines. Learn more.