Around the District

Construction projects abound through District 4. It is the busiest construction season District 4 has ever had! Every county has projects in process. Review some of the most current projects for your county that are under construction. 

No Time Like Snow Time

You may be packing up decorations from Halloween but at MoDOT we’re already thinking about snow. One thing you can count on in Missouri is changing winter conditions. That means to keep our roads running, we have to plan for every contingency.

When the snow flies, you need to stay informed and we have a range of communication tools to keep track of road conditions.

• Traveler Information Map on the website provides a map with current conditions of all MoDOT roads during winter weather. Read the definitions associated with the road conditions so that you know what to expect when driving.
• KC Scout provides a real time look at major interstates and highways in the KC metro with maps, photos, and video. It also provides updates about accidents and delays on the roadway.
• Need to talk to someone one-on-one? Reach MoDOT 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 888-ASK-MoDOT. Customer service representatives can answer questions, complete requests for assistance, and provide additional information.
• Become a facebook fan and you will get updates as well as photos, video and tips for driving safe in winter weather. www.facebook.com/MoDOT.KansasCity
• Twitter will deliver traffic updates in 140 characters or less. http://twitter.MoDOT_KC

MoDOT has a detailed plan to address different types of winter weather, and we will continue to do a good job clearing roads. We will focus on snow routes first, and then other roads in the MoDOT system. Even if you see the snow plow, motorists always need to exercise caution driving in winter conditions. Slow down, allow more time, and drive carefully.

For full details on MoDOT’s snow routes and tips on preparing for winter, visit the Traveler Information on our homepage at www.modot.org/kc

Paving the Way for a New Route 50

If you travel U.S. 50 near Lone Jack, you will soon be riding on new pavement. Crews recently worked more than 36 hours non-stop to pour new lanes of this interchange project. A ribbon cutting is on the horizon for Nov. 9.

 Paving lanes is one of the final phases of this $5 million project. When complete, the new lanes will join the recently completed Bynum Road bridge to finish the full-diamond interchange at westbound Route 50. Adding a bridge and ramps on westbound Route 50 at Bynum brings the crossroads to modern interchange standards and provides safer local access in all directions.  

Project is on schedule to wrap up in mid-November. For complete details on the Route 50 interchange, visit the Major Projects page on www.modot.org/kc.

All kcICON Project Interstate 29/35 lanes, ramps to open by year's end

 Bond Bridge is dedicated; project is six months ahead of schedule

Under a bright blue sky and canopy of gleaming white cables radiating from the new, Christopher S. Bond Bridge, U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, Missouri Department of Transportation Interim Director Kevin Keith, Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator Kevin Ward and Paseo Corridor Constructors announced Sept. 27, 2010 that all Interstate 29/35 lanes and ramps on the kcICON Project will be open by the end of the year – six months ahead of schedule.

Thanking the nearly 700 dedication event attendees, Keith said MoDOT’s design-build method of project delivery is a great way to accelerate large construction projects.  “Our fixed-cost, best-value approach gives taxpayers the biggest bang for their buck while maximizing the innovation and creativity of the private sector.”

Prior to kicking off Kansas City’s largest “deck party,” Bond took a 316-foot basket ride to the top of the landmark structure with Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Rudy Farber, Bill Clarkson, Jr. of Clarkson Construction Company and Henry Massman of Massman Construction Co.  All signed their names on the center pylon.

“This is magnificent,” said Bond.  “The speed (of the project) is truly remarkable.  We congratulate MoDOT, the contractor, the designers and everybody who made this come together and the community support of it…a perfect operation and a fitting celebration of the great work by everyone involved.”

The bridge was opened to its first lane of northbound traffic a few hours following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.  All northbound Interstate 29/35 traffic was shifted to the new Bond Bridge Friday, Oct. 22, 2010.

The contractor, Paseo Corridor Constructors, will complete overlay work at Armour Road, 16th Avenue and Levee Road; incidental construction and the removal of the existing Paseo Bridge in 2011.

The $245 million kcICON project will reconstruct/rehabilitate 4.7 miles of Interstate 29/35 from just north of Route 210/Armour Road in North Kansas City into the northeast corner of the downtown Kansas City, Mo. freeway loop.  Additional information is available on the project’s Web site: www.kcicon.com or on Facebook “kcICON Project.”

The Safe & Sound Solution

The Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program, like many construction projects, will be wrapping up for the winter season, but not before finishing four more bridges. In fact, in the past two months, the program has completed four bridges and moved to the next four.

The Safe & Sound program is an example of how the department is putting funds to use in the most-cost effective, and innovative way possible, and more importantly, putting the money where citizens need it most.  Missouri has more than 10,000 bridges with over 1,000 in poor condition. At the end of the program, Missourians will have 800 bridges that have been improved.  

In our district alone, 47 bridges are being completed just in 2010. The team makes efficient use of time and materials, moving from one consecutive bridge to the next. With the exception of one bridge that was flooded during the spring rains, these structures are often completely removed and replaced in as little as 45 days.  

For complete details on the Safe & Sound Bridges near you, visit www.modot.org/kc, click on Safe & Sound and then look at the projects by county.

Shoot the Gap and Drive the Loop: Route 13 Wraps Up

Two major road improvements on Route 13 are among the projects MoDOT is wrapping up before winter.

First residents near Lexington are now happily driving through the new “Gap Project”, which relocated Route south of Route 24 near Lexington. A ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 13 celebrated the job coming to an end. 

This more than $7 million project has added three miles of new lanes to bridge the gap between Route 24 and the existing lanes to the south.  The new addition will improve safety, increase mobility, decrease travel time, provide, and offer a convenient and economical north/south route.

On Nov. 10, local citizens, commuters, community supporters and MoDOT staff will snip ribbon and release traffic on the Warrensburg Loop project.

This $27 million project included constructing a new 7-mile-long segment of the Route 13 East Loop to move through-traffic away from stop-and-go congestion in downtown Warrensburg.

For complete details on both of these projects, including a bird’s eye view of the new Loop, log onto www.modot.org/kc

MoDOT Customers Will See Minor Road Improvements in the Future

Over the next five years, the Missouri Department of Transportation will make some positive costs savings strides with the goal of keeping major highways in good condition and improving minor roads.  

Six months later into our 5-year plan, the department it is on track to reduce costs by more than $200 million in the next five years and has already identified $64 million to put toward fixing the pavement on lettered and rural routes. 

“Initially, the savings will be used to make improvements to the state's minor roads, whose condition has been declining,” said Beth Wright, District Engineer. “Only 60 percent of minor roads are in good condition, while 86 percent of major roads are rated good. 

In addition to improving minor roads, the department's top priorities include keeping its commitment to deliver the projects in its five-year construction program, keeping major roads in good condition, maintaining the condition of state bridges and providing outstanding customer service.

"We have to modify the way we do business," Wright said.  "But we will always strive to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. Transportation goes in funding cycles. Right now it is a low point but MoDOT fully expects funding to go back up in the next few years. When it does, we want to have a system in good shape and knowledgeable employees with the skills we need ready to work.”

Review MoDOT's 5-Year Direction on our homepage at www.modot.org/kc

What Does the bird, the Purple Gallinule, and a Missouri Highway Have in Common?

A lot more than you might think! In fact, most people don’t realize that ecological conservation is an important, if unseen, part of running a major state highway system.

With almost every Missouri Department of Transportation project, ecological factors are researched, studied and considered during the decision-making process of a highway project’s design.

In fact, MoDOT is required by law to consider the potential impacts of its federally-funded or permitted projects on the natural environment, such as a wetland. Generally MoDOT’s direction is to avoid wetlands whenever possible and replace those that are impacted from highway construction.  

Recently, the department – in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – created a 30-acre wetland within a Jackson County Park on the east fork of the Little Blue River, downstream of the Blue Springs Lake dam.

The USACE built the dam in the 1980's with the intention of developing this section of land into a fish hatchery for the Missouri Department of Conservation. When that project failed to move forward, they approached MoDOT for help.

MoDOT has built numerous wetlands on USACE-owned land in the past, including at the Truman Reservoir and Smithville Lake.

Currently open to the public, this rich oasis includes a handicapped-accessible wildlife viewing area and a parking lot. The site has become an area where bird watchers like to stop. 

For complete details, including snap shots of the wetlands, visit www.modot.org/kc