The
Difference Is You.
Drive
Smart.
MoDOT appreciates
motorists' patience during construction and continues
to encourage drivers to slow down in work zones. For
more information about these or other transportation
related issues, please call MoDOT's customer service
center during normal business hours at 1-888-275-6636
(1-888 ASK MODOT).
April
29, 2005 -- Signals to be Installed at Routes 47/94
near Dutzow
The results of
a recent traffic study on Route 47 at Route 94 near
Dutzow have led MoDOT to facilitate the installation
of traffic signals at this intersection. Representative
Mike Sutherland inquired about the issue last fall,
and encouraged MoDOT to re-evaluate the traffic volume.
"MoDOT has been doing a routine traffic study
every year in this area because of the concerns they
get from the public," Rep. Sutherland explained.
"I'm glad that we now have the statistics to support
installing much needed signals," he continued.
Representative Kevin Threlkeld and Senator John Griesheimer
concurred. "This has been an area of concern
for many years, so I'm appreciative MoDOT is able to
move forward and make it a safer intersection," Threlkeld
said.
The project will begin with the removal of the existing
overhead flashing red light and the poles that support
it, then installation of new poles to support the signals.
Ameren UE will be performing this work over the
next few weeks. MoDOT will then install the traffic
lights and necessary signage. The signals will
be in "flash" mode for about two weeks to allow for
testing. During that time, the signal and lighting
electrician will continue to install necessary equipment
that function with the signals such as loop detectors
and wiring. The signals will be fully functional
by the first part of June.
April 28, 2005
-- Communities Invited to Apply for Enhancement Funds
MoDOT encourages cities, communities and
other entities to apply for funds that will be used
to improve sidewalks, historical projects, walkways
or bicycle paths, landscaping and many other roadside
enhancement projects. "This money comes to MoDOT
from the federal government and can only be used for
enhancement projects," explained David Hurt, transportation
planning engineer with MoDOT's Northeast District.
Hurt said a complete list of projects that could qualify
is on the web at www.modot.org/services
and click on the link Enhancement Funds.
"Since there
is only $810,000 available to MoDOT's Northeast District,
this is a competitive process which requires our committee
to evaluate each application and select the most beneficial
projects," Hurt said.
Ninety percent of the 18.4 cent federal
fuel tax is returned to Missouri to be used for transportation-related
projects. Approximately 2.3% of this money is
earmarked by the federal government to be used for enhancement
projects.
Hurt invites those interested to call him at the district
office toll-free at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636) or locally
573-248-2634.
April
14, 2005 - Scott's Corner Improvement in Audrain County
Beginning Monday, April 18, 2005, traffic
will be reduced to one lane on Routes 54 east and Route
19 north at Scott's Corner while crews remove the existing
pavement and resurface the roadway.
Two lanes will
still be open with traffic using the existing turn lanes
as a driving lane, temporary pavement markings will
direct traffic in and around the work zone. Also,
flagmen will be in place 24 hours directing traffic
through the work zone. The 24-hour lane closure
is anticipated to last approximately one week, weather
permitting.
April
12, 2005 - Speed Limit Changes through City of Hannibal
The Missouri Department of Transportation
has reviewed portions of Route 61 through the Hannibal
city limits to evaluate the prevailing speed of traffic.
As a result of this routine review, several minor
increases to the posted speed limits will be made within
this area.
Weather permitting, on Thursday, April
14, MoDOT will install signs along Route 61 reflecting
the new speed limits. "The first major change
will be to eliminate several 5 mph decreases and increases,"
said MoDOT Traffic Operations Engineer Kevin James.
Instead, the speed limit will raise and lower
in 10 mph increments. "The second major change
will be to raise the speed limit through the Paris Gravel
Road/Market Street signal to 45 mph from the current
35 mph," James continued. He said that the signals
installed at Warren Barrett Drive were one cause to
review the south part of Hannibal. He added that
several individuals had asked about eliminating the
5 mph decreases and increases along Route 61.
Establishing speed limits is based on the
widely accepted principle of setting speed limits as
near as possible to the speed at or below which 85 percent
of the drivers are traveling.
Research has shown the 85 th percentile speed
is the speed where accident involvement is the lowest.
"Our traffic committee reviewed MoDOT's recommendations
and shared them with the city council last week," said
Hannibal Police Chief Joey Runyon.
"We're glad we were able to work together to help keep
traffic moving safely," he concluded.
This speed is subject to revision based
upon such factors as accident history, roadway geometrics,
parking, pedestrians, curves, adjacent property development
and engineering judgment.
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