May 26, 2013

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MoDOT warns several roads closed due to flooding

April 18, 2013 By

The Missouri Department of Transportation cautions motorists that many state routes are closed due to flooding after several periods of heavy rain throughout the state.

MoDOT reminds motorists that road closures are posted on the department’s Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org. The majority of flooded roadways are in the northern half of the state, and most are lettered and numbered routes with low traffic volumes. There are three major routes currently closed: Eastbound U.S. 36, near Shelbina; U.S. 24, both directions, near Huntsville in Randolph County; U.S. 61 near Alexandria, near the Iowa State line.

“MoDOT crews are closely monitoring roadways and are prepared for more temporary closures as the rivers across the state continue to rise,” said Beth Wright, MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer. “We encourage travelers to visit our Traveler Information Map before hitting the road to check the latest road conditions and closures.”

MoDOT warns to never move or drive around barricades placed on roadways due to high water. “Barricades are a warning designed to protect you from an unsafe condition,” the department says. “You can put yourself at serious risk if you proceed into a flooded section of road.”

Also, motorists are cautioned that if a road is covered in flood water but is not closed by a barricade, do not drive into the high water. Stop and turn around, and then notify the local police, sheriff or the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Filed Under: News, Transportation, Travel

Highway Patrol kicks off ‘Click it or Ticket’ campaign in April

March 29, 2013 By

The Highway Patrol says Easter traffic isn’t nearly as thick as it is during other holiday weekends. However, Lieutenant John Hotz says officers will be stepping up efforts to monitor in-state traffic.

He says the Patrol is working with law enforcement agencies from throughout the state to kick off a seatbelt enforcement campaign in April called “Click it or Ticket.”

Hotz says the goal is to raise awareness about how seatbelts save lives. He says one out of every four people in Missouri still don’t wear seatbelts; And he says 64 percent of those killed in traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seatbelt.

The enforcement campaign will also pay special attention to child safety restraints.

Filed Under: Law Enforcement, News, Travel

State unveils new tourism campaign to draw more visitors

March 28, 2013 By

The State Division of Tourism is changing its marketing strategy to draw more visitors to Missouri.

Photos courtesy Missouri Department of Economic Development. Scroll down for more.

Photos courtesy Missouri Department of Economic Development. Scroll down for more.

State Tourism Director Katie Steele Danner says Missouri is a top 15 state for tourism, but has been a top ten state in years past. She says market surveys show that when people are planning their travel options in the spring, many are skipping over the Show Me State. She says Missouri has marketed itself as being relaxed, homey, traditional and charming … but that’s not what motivates people to travel.

Steele Danner tells legislators a new ad campaign that begins in April showcases Missouri’s arts, culture, sports, theme parks, fishing, wineries … even diving. She says April is when most families start narrowing the places of where to spend the next family vacation, and she wants Missouri to be on that list. Missouri is very competitive with neighboring states, even though it has less funding for tourism, she says.

The Division of Tourism, part of the Department of Economic Development, reports Missouri brought in $462 million for the state’s general revenue fund in fiscal year 2012, which was just more than the projected amount.

The Division of Tourism launches its new ad campaign in April, which showcases Missouri as an upbeat state with lots of varied activities among the tradition and charm. “Enjoy the artistry, enjoy the show,” “Enjoy the freedom,” “Enjoy the discovery,” “Enjoy the tradition,” “Enjoy the magic,” and “Enjoy the finer things.”

Economic Development says tourism is an $11.2 billion industry in Missouri, a state of 6 million people who welcome 36 million visitors each year. Steele Danner says Missouri brings in more than $3 for every dollar spent on marketing.

Missouri Tourism print ad 5Missouri Tourism print ad 4Missouri Tourism print ad 2Missouri Tourism print ad 1

 

 

Filed Under: News, Travel

MoDOT: ‘Winter has not left Missouri,’ issues severe weather advisory

March 22, 2013 By

March snow sat 1

The Missouri Department of Transportation says because moderate to heavy snow is predicted for much of the state on Saturday afternoon into Sunday, motorists are urged to use caution when traveling this weekend.

 

“The forecast shows most of Missouri, from I-44 northward, in the path of this storm,” MoDOT says. ”Some areas could see as much as a foot of snow, and strong winds could affect visibility and make driving extremely hazardous.”

To check the forecast in your area, visit the National Weather Service in Springfield, National Weather Service in Kansas City (Pleasant Hill), or National Weather Service in St. Louis. For weather conditions in Southeast Missouri portion of Missouri, visit the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.

March snow sat 2MoDOT advises motorists to not become complacent because of the late storm.

“Despite this storm coming so late in the season, MoDOT crews are prepared and ready to plow and treat state highways as needed across the state,” MoDOT says in a release. “If the snow comes as forecasted, teams will concentrate on the busiest highways first, plowing and spreading salt where needed – especially on bridges, hills and curves.”

 

MoDOT is asking motorists to remember the following tips if they must travel:

 

  • Slow down
  • Steer and brake gently
  • Accelerate slowly at intersections
  • Allow plenty of distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you
  • Stay back at least 100 feet from snow plows, and avoid passing them, even on a multi-lane road.

 

Stay informed about Missouri road conditions by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, available online at www.modot.org or through the new smartphone app. The map offers current views of road conditions for Missouri interstates and highways. Conditions for these routes are color-coded to give users the information they need at a glance. You can zoom in to a particular location, check live weather radar and view images from MoDOT’s traffic cameras and message boards.

 

Motorists can also call MoDOT’s customer service center for road conditions at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636). The toll-free phone line is answered 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Filed Under: Featured, News, Transportation, Travel, Weather

Air control towers to be closed in Columbia, Branson

March 22, 2013 By

Air control towers at the regional airports in Columbia and Branson are on the Federal Aviation Administration chopping block.

Jefferson City’s small airport was on the original list of closures, but the revised list shows that one will remain staffed.

The towers in Columbia and Branson will close sometime between April seventh and May seventh according to a letter from the FAA.

The closures are a result of the sequestration, and the FAA has largely kept the closures limited to 149 airports throughout the U.S. that have only a single runway. A manned tower is necessary when more than one airplane is taking off or landing.

Click HERE to see the full list of tower closures.

West Central Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Harzler, who represents Columbia, says she’s disappointed by the decision.

“This decision is disappointing not only because it presents a safety concern, but it is unwise from a budget perspective as Columbia’s tower is part of the Contract Tower Program that is cost-effective for taxpayers,” Harzler says in a press release. “There is plenty of waste that can be trimmed by administrators implementing the budget sequester and there is absolutely no need to put Columbia workers on unemployment because of the Obama Administration’s poor choices on where to cut.”

U.S. Senator Blunt also says it’s a disappointing decision.

“These towers were operational in 2009 when the FAA received less funding than they will under the sequestration – further proving these closures are irresponsible and unnecessary,” Blunt says. “Federal spending has skyrocketed 19 percent since 2008. There’s no reason the Obama Administration shouldn’t be able to figure out a 2.5 percent spending cut without interrupting Americans’ lives and air travel to communities like Branson and Columbia.”

Blunt’s office says a report published last summer by the Department of Transportation Inspector General found that the Contract Tower Program was one of the most efficiently run programs in the FAA.

“Notably, the report also showed the specified towers in the FAA Contract Tower Program were all operational in 2009, when the FAA received less funding than they will under sequestration,” Blunt’s office says.

Filed Under: Featured, News, Politics & Government, Transportation, Travel
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