Modot

MoDOT's allowing farmers to haul more grain on the road to help keep livestock fed this winter. The Missouri Department of Agriculture says livestock farmers and ranchers need more feed and supplies this winter because of the heavy snowfall.  The conditions mean many of the delivery trucks are overloaded. Farmers can now request a free permit to haul 10% more than the truck's legal limit. You can call MoDot's motor carrier services for more information at (573) 291-4517.

WILLOW SPRINGS, MO., --  A prayer vigil was held Sunday morning at the MoDOT headquarters in Willow Springs. The city's Chamber of Commerce leaders, along with members from several churches in the area, circled the building to pray to keep the MoDOT jobs in town. The transportation department is facing severe budget cuts because of declining revenues and federal funding cuts. The agency is looking at laying off about 1,200 people and closing the district offices in Willow Springs and Sikeston.

SPRINGFIELD --  The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) announced crews will be reporting to work late Sunday night in preparation of Monday morning's snow and ice. MoDOT says crews will be ready to spread salt and plow where necessary as snow and sleet develop.  Crews will be on the road throughout the region. The organization says more trucks are assigned to the busiest roads, but crews will run on lesser-traveled roads treating hills, curves and intersections.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- For many people, the buzz of cars and trucks on U.S. 65 may be considered annoying but not for Wendell Royster. "The noise hasn't bothered us," said Royster. For him, the sound is familiar and necessary. He uses it to decide when to hit the busy highway. "We look out there a lot to see when we leave at night or in the morning how the traffic's going to judge which way we're going to leave," said Royster. Royster will soon lose that luxury. Most of the people who live near him said the highway is just too noisy.

SPRINGFIELD --  They're an inevitable part of driving: pesky potholes. While some are a mild nuisance, others are a major headache. "Because if you hit a pothole hard enough, then I've seen them do as much as $1,000 worth of damage. You bend a wheel, you bend a control arm, it just depends on how deep the pothole is and stuff like that. And sometimes speed makes a difference on how hard you hit it," explained Tim Cummings, Rick's Automotive vice president of operations. Cummings said although that's the cost in severe cases, even minor run-ins with potholes can do damage to the suspension, alignment, tires and wheels.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  --  From April 16 to May 6, the Missouri Department of Transportation will conduct a public awareness campaign reminding motorists to drive safely around commercial vehicles.  In turn, commercial vehicle drivers will be reminded to obey traffic laws, use their seat belts, slow down and pay attention.   Commercial vehicles are an important part of the economy and make up a large portion of the traffic on Missouri highways. While fewer crashes involve commercial motor vehicles, they do still occur.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A pickup crashed into the back of a Missouri Department of Transportation safety truck on Interstate 44 on Wednesday morning just west of the Kansas Expressway exit in Springfield.  The MoDOT truck was following a striping crew with its lights activated.  The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Jason Kruse, 39, of Willard made a lane change and hit the MoDOT vehicle.  Kruse was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries....

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --The Missouri Department of Transportation says it will try to send crews to repair potholes in state highways within 24 hours after drivers report them. Most potholes appear this time of year after roads have been through a winter of freezing and thawing and during periods of heavy rain in the spring.  MoDOT usually fixes highway potholes in March and April before crews turn to mowing and paving the highways in May. MoDOT has crews out on the roads checking for potholes, but drivers can help report a damaged road by calling   ( 417)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- As the weather warms up, more highway workers will be in Missouri construction zones. So the Missouri Department of Transportation and law enforcement are reminding drivers to please be extra careful. Eight people were killed in work zones last year. Authorities say following too closely, inattention and speed are among the factors that contribute to work zone crashes. MoDOT has set aside April 15-19 as Work Zone Awareness Week. The goal is to make sure that MoDOT employees and highway contractors can get their work done safely, while travelers also reach their destination safely.

GALENA, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Transportation says the bid to repair a damaged section of Missouri 413, south of Galena should be awarded by Friday.  The ground beneath a portion of it washed away during the recent flooding, causing the road to crack and drop nearly a half foot in some places. The damaged 100-foot long section of road lies between Shoals Lane and Wilson Creek Road. MoDOT plans to have the work finished by Memorial Day weekend.

LICKING, Mo. -- After the Missouri Department of Transportation's budget cuts and consolidation in the last couple years, the agency is selling unused real estate.  One buyer says others should beware, however.  He backed out of a purchase of MoDOT property here after learning of potential problems.  Now, a scheduled auction of the same property on Friday has been called off. The former MoDOT Maintenance Facility in Licking was sold last summer,...

BRADLEYVILLE, Mo. -- MoDOT says it has fixed a bridge damaged by heavy rains. Crews filled in the roadway with rock and dirt Thursday at Highway 125 at Brushy Creek near Bradleyville.  Heavy rains had washed out the ground from underneath the road.  

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- As the weather warms up, more highway workers will be in Missouri construction zones. So the Missouri Department of Transportation and law enforcement are reminding drivers to please be extra careful. Eight people were killed in work zones last year. Authorities say following too closely, inattention and speed are among the factors that contribute to work zone crashes. MoDOT has set aside April 15-19 as Work Zone Awareness Week. The goal is to make sure that MoDOT employees and highway contractors can get their work done safely, while travelers also reach their destination safely.

SPRINGFIELD, --  MoDOT says its priority is trying to clear the roads for the morning commute. Officials are asking for folks to be prepared for the drive to take a little longer. They ask drivers to leave 30 to 45 minutes earlier than usual. A lot of the pavement is wet and temps are expected to drop. MoDOT engineers are concerned about the refreezing.  They want drivers to be extra careful on ramps and divided highways. Being ready for Monday morning rush hour is the priority.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Department of Transportation advises motorists to avoid travel overnight Saturday, March 23, and through Sunday, March 24, as a major winter storm makes its way through the state. The heaviest snow and strong winds are predicted for the central part of the state, which means I-70 and I-44 could become snow-covered very quickly. "If your travel plans take you through the path of this storm, be prepared for a potential whiteout effect that could make travel hazardous,” said Elizabeth Wright, MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer.

SPRINGFIELD --  They're an inevitable part of driving: pesky potholes. While some are a mild nuisance, others are a major headache. "Because if you hit a pothole hard enough, then I've seen them do as much as $1,000 worth of damage. You bend a wheel, you bend a control arm, it just depends on how deep the pothole is and stuff like that. And sometimes speed makes a difference on how hard you hit it," explained Tim Cummings, Rick's Automotive vice president of operations. Cummings said although that's the cost in severe cases, even minor run-ins with potholes can do damage to the suspension, alignment, tires and wheels.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Transportation wants people to call when they spot a pothole that needs fixing.   Its crews are about to “spring” into action on Pothole Patrol, a month-long effort to concentrate on patching potholes and keeping highways smooth and safe. The Missouri Pothole Patrol runs from March 18 through April 14.  There are multiple ways for motorists can report potholes: · MoDOT's Customer Service Center, available 24/7, at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo -- The Missouri Department of Transportation is running on fumes for new projects. To remedy the situation a sales tax proposal is making it's way through Jefferson City. If it passes the legislature, the people could decide MoDot's fate in 2014.  MoDOT is not officially picking a dog in this fight, but they say the numbers speak for themselves. Its budget went from $1.2 billion to $700 million, cutting it in half. It maintains the seventh largest highway system in the country.

We have compiled a list of relevant links and information as it pertains to winter storms. All links open in an external window. TRAVEL - Driving tips for snow and ice ( The Weather Channel ) - Tips on what to keep in your home, car, and shoveling tips for deeper snow  MoDOT )              - How to keep your driveway clear ( MoDOT ) - How does MoDOT decide which roads get plowed first? ( MoDOT )   HEALTH - Symptoms of hypothermia ( Mayo Clinic )

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The plows are connected, and the road crews are ready. They've been through these preps several times earlier this season.  But, most of the times, it's turned out to be a drill. "We just haven't had  a lot of bitterly cold days, there hasn't been a lot of weather," said Michael Middleton, district maintenance engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation's Southwest District. Another mild winter has allowed road and street crews to stay on target and on time.