Motorists now have 48 new dynamic (permanent) message signs to provide traffic information and help reduce congestion on heavily traveled sections of Interstates 70 and 44. Besides helping motorists avoid delays and get to their destination safely with timely traffic information, these signs will also feature Amber Alert messages, which are helpful in recovering missing children. The signs are part of MoDOT's new Driving Edge initiative, an umbrella program that provides highway information before you travel, along the way and around the clock.   

“Adding these boards has helped to help give drivers power to make better decisions and to be better informed,” said Troy Pinkerton, MoDOT traffic liaison engineer. “The information on these signs can put the driver in control of their trip-- they can take an alternate route and avoid possible problems or call ahead to let someone know their revised arrival time if they know the length of the delay.”

The new signs replace the districts’ portable changeable message signs that were used on I-70 and I-44 work zone projects. Those signs are now being used in other areas.

The signs display up to three lines, 18 characters each, of information. The signs’ messages are kept updated so the public will get important information quicker.

“These signs are an important tool to help us manage traffic and keep the roads as safe as possible,” Pinkerton said. “The more motorists know about what’s going on, the better off we all are.”

A grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Amber Plan Implementation Assistance Program helped fund the installation of these signs. MoDOT received a $400,000 grant from the program and provided $100,000 in matching funds.

There is a statewide guideline document for operation of the signs. The document strives to maintain consistency in messaging on these recently constructed signs. In addition to providing direction on responsibility, priority and verification, the various types of message formats to be displayed are also addressed. MoDOT has also developed a partnering agreement with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for how they can get information to travelers as they respond to incidents prior to MoDOT.

The department also is working to deploy signs in District 1 and District 10 this upcoming construction season.

The Dynamic Message Boards Can Display

• Advanced notice for scheduled incidents
• Work zone information
• Amber Alert messages- information about child abductions
• Emergency information- evacuations or state, military or local law enforcement closures
• Hazardous or uncommon road conditions
• Travel times, alternate routes in the event of a delay, congestion
• Other public information that requires motorists to alter their travel plans

Electronic Message Boards Message List

Standard Rotating Messages

• Travel info, 888-ASK-MODOT          
• Road conditions, 888-ASK-MODOT
• Work zone info, www.modot.org
• Drive Smart, www.modot.org
• Buckle Up, www.savemolives.com
• Speed limit enforced
• Travel info, www.modot.org
• Buckle Up, Arrive Alive
• Road conditions, www.modot.org
• Watch your speed
• Seatbelts save lives
• Work zone info, 888-ASK-MODOT
• Buckle up kids, use car seats
• No MOre Trash!  www.nomoretrash.org
• Adopt-A-Highway, www.modot.org
• Car seats save kids
• To report emergencies dial *55
• Wet pavement, slow down
• Headlights on when wipers are on
• Buckle up. It’s the law.
• Move over for stopped emergency vehicles

Specialty messages

• Click it or ticket
• Ice and snow, take it slow
• You drink & drive. You lose.
• Pickups rock. They also roll. Buckle up.
• Don’t pass snowplows 
• Give snowplows room to work
• Move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles