Transportation Archives

Southeast Missouri could see severe weather Saturday; snow expected in far northwest Missouri (AUDIO)

February 22, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Saturday and Saturday night across parts of southeast Missouri.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says severe storms and isolated tornadoes are possible in southeast Missouri on February 23, 2019 (map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter)

NWS meteorologist Melissa Byrd expects wind gusts of close to 40 miles per hour in places.

“As far as any kind of severe weather, we could see some isolated strong to severe storms tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon and tomorrow evening, especially over portions of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois,” Byrd says.

Towns like Cape Girardeau, Dexter, Farmington, Perryville and Sikeston could see storms Saturday, and Byrd says isolated tornadoes are possible.

She says the thunderstorms are expected to develop, when the atmosphere destabilizes ahead of a strong cold front.

“Well we got warmer air moving into the region with a lot of moisture and instability which would help to generate thunderstorms,” says Byrd.

Meantime, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill says motorists traveling in far northwest Missouri could see slick roads and some blowing snow on Saturday, northwest of I-35.

The NWS says heavier snowfall is expected in southeast Nebraska, southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri towns like Tarkio.

NWS meteorologist Jared Leighton tells Missourinet that northwest Missouri’s Atchison County is projected to receive two to five inches of snowfall on Saturday, while other parts of far northwest Missouri could receive a dusting to two inches.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) St. Louis meteorologist Melissa Byrd, which was recorded on February 22, 2019:

Snow and ice heading for much of Missouri (AUDIO)

February 19, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill and the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) are warning about possible white out conditions across parts of Missouri on Tuesday evening.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill says much of Missouri will see snow and some ice (February 19, 2019 map courtesy of NWS Twitter page)

NWS meteorologist Pamela Pietrycha says the heaviest snowfall will be in northwest Missouri, where Maryville and Bethany could see six inches.

“There will be periods of some moderate to heavy snow later this evening that will impact visibility,” Pietrycha says. “It will quickly accumulate on roads.”

The Kansas City metro is projected to receive three inches of snowfall, while Columbia and Jefferson City should receive about two inches. St. Louis and parts of southeast Missouri are also expected to receive about two inches of snow.

MoDOT says snow and freezing rain will impact the commute of many Missourians this evening, into tonight. Pietrycha says the snow is moving up from the south, which means Springfield and Joplin will see the first band of snow.

“Coming up from the south, probably 4 to 6 (p.m.) south of the Kansas City I-70 corridor,” says Pietrycha.

Snow is expected to begin falling in Kansas City, Sedalia and Jefferson City between 5 and 7 p.m., and snow will begin in far northern Missouri’s Chillicothe and Kirksville after 7 o’clock.

MoDOT is urging you to slow down and to have a full tank of gasoline, before you drive.

The NWS in Pleasant Hill says a large portion of Missouri will also receive ice during the winter storm. Pietrycha says the snow is expected to begin changing to freezing rain at around midnight, into early Wednesday morning.

“As that snow moves further to the north overnight we’ll see a gradual transition to some freezing drizzle, maybe some light freezing rain,” Pietrycha says.

Kansas City, Columbia, Jefferson City and Hannibal are just some of the towns that will see ice. The freezing rain will also impact bridges and overpasses.

MoDOT encourages anyone with questions about road conditions to call their customer service center. You can call 1-888-ASK-MODOT to speak to an operator anytime 24-7.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service meteorologist Pamela Pietrycha, which was recorded on February 19, 2019:

Winter weather has been deadly in Missouri; I-70 in Concordia has reopened

February 15, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

UPDATE: The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says westbound I-70 at Concordia has re-opened, after being closed for more than five hours.

BRIAN’S ORIGINAL STORY IS BELOW:

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield is warning travelers that Friday evening’s commute will be difficult across the Ozarks, because roads have deteriorated from snow and ice.

The National Weather Service in Springfield is urging motorists to finish their travel as soon as possible (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter)

NWS meteorologist Mike Albano in Springfield says Branson, Monett, Neosho and West Plains are seeing ice. Some of those areas have seen almost two-tenths of an inch of ice already.

“For people traveling along and south of the U.S. 60 corridor, we’d suggest avoid any unnecessary travel,” Albano says. “Between a tenth and two-tenths of an inch of ice certainly has its problems that it could cause out there on the roadways,” Albano says.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain continue to fall across the Ozarks this afternoon, and the NWS is urging you to complete your travel as soon as possible.

“And this is a system that’s going to be around really through the evening commute, probably not pulling out of maybe the Branson, the Springfield metropolitan areas until maybe after 6 o’clock this evening,” Albano says.

The NWS says the Warsaw and Osage Beach areas could see up to three inches of snow, by Friday evening.

Numerous Missouri school districts either canceled classes today, or dismissed early. That meant some of school buses were taking children home during the snowstorm.

Meantime, the NWS in western Missouri’s Pleasant Hill, near Kansas City, says multi-vehicle crashes have caused closures on numerous highways and interstates in the Kansas City region, across the metro and beyond.

Here are some other big stories from today’s winter storm, across the state:

** Missouri state troopers in Lee’s Summit say one person has been killed in a 15-vehicle crash today on westbound I-70, near Oak Grove. Westbound I-70 at western Missouri’s Oak Grove remains closed because of the crashes.
** Snow-covered westbound I-70 in west-central Missouri’s Concordia remains closed. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) tells Missourinet at least six or seven tractor trailers crashed there, and one of them “tore open”, spilling items onto the highway.
** Snow-covered westbound Highway 54 near the Cole-Miller County line south of Jefferson City saw a pileup involving numerous vehicles today. One listener tells us about 40 vehicles were involved, while another listener says it involved hundreds of cars.

Winter weather advisories issued for much of Missouri; Kansas City expected to receive most snow (AUDIO)

February 14, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued a winter weather advisory for Friday for large portions of of western, northwest and west-central Missouri. The NWS in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory for all of the Ozarks, for Friday morning and afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory for all of the Ozarks (February 14, 2019 map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter)

NWS meteorologist Chris Gitro expects a fast-moving storm and says the Kansas City metro will likely see the highest amount of snowfall Friday.

“We’re expecting accumulations on the order of four to six inches for the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas, and by late tomorrow (Friday) afternoon and into the early evening hours the system is expected to depart pretty quickly,” Gitro says.

Snow is expected to begin falling in Kansas City at about 9 Friday morning.

Meantime, the National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory for all of the Ozarks, for Friday. Lebanon, Waynesville, Warsaw, Osage Beach and the Lake of the Ozarks are expected to receive three to four inches of snow.

The NWS says Springfield is projected to receive one to two inches of snow. Most of the snow will fall across the Ozarks Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Gitro in the NWS’ Pleasant Hill office tells Missourinet that Columbia, Jefferson City and Sedalia are expected to receive about three inches of snow.

“It’s definitely looking like they’re going to be under the gun for some accumulating snowfall tomorrow as well,” says Gitro.

Northwest Missouri’s Chillicothe and St. Joseph could also see four to six inches, while the St. Louis region is projected to receive two inches. The NWS in St. Louis is warning motorists that Friday evening commute hazards are likely in the St. Louis region.

A light glaze of ice is expected Friday in southeast Missouri towns like Farmington, Perryville and Sikeston.

The cold front is already in northwest Missouri. The NWS tweeted Thursday afternoon at 2:45 p.m. that it was 31 degrees in St. Joseph, while it was 57 degrees in Lee’s Summit, which is a Kansas City suburb.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Gitro, which was recorded on February 14, 2019:

(AUDIO) North Missouri under winter weather advisory; Ellington urges Missourians to check on the elderly

February 11, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill and St. Louis have issued winter weather advisories for virtually all of northern Missouri, until midnight tonight (Monday).

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for much of northern Missouri on February 11, 2019 (map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter page)

The NWS says St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Edina, Kirksville, Macon, Tarkio and Trenton are expected to receive a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow on Monday evening.

The NWS says the Edina area could receive about 0.11″ of ice. Most of the other towns are expected to see minor ice and snow accumulation.

State Rep. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, tells Missourinet the recent ice storm and snow have been very difficult on elderly residents in his Kansas City district and across the state.

“With the power outages, with the streets being filled of ice and the sidewalks being filled with ice it’s hard for them to get out and go to the grocery store,” Ellington says.

The NWS is warning that parking lots and walkways will be slick across northern Missouri, because of the wintry mix. Ellington is urging you to check on your elderly neighbors and family members.

“Please look out, take some salt or something over there and check on them,” says Ellington. “Check to see if their electricity is out.”

State Rep. Brandon Ellington (D) briefs Capitol reporters on January 28, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Ellington tells Missourinet he learned today that a Kansas City resident in a nearby legislative district fell in the ice and broke her cheek.

“I was actually just talking to Representative (State Rep. Ingrid) Burnett and she was telling me about her neighbor that literally just fell and broke her jaw, broke her cheek, excuse me, broke her cheek,” Ellington says.

Representative Ellington spoke to Missourinet Monday afternoon at the Statehouse in Jefferson City, after the House Democrats held a press conference on criminal justice reform.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, which was recorded on February 11, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Hartzler discusses opioid epidemic, transportation and broadband with Missouri lawmakers (AUDIO)

February 8, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A congresswoman who represents a large portion of central and western Missouri traveled to Jefferson City this week to meet with state lawmakers from her district.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, meets with Missouri lawmakers on February 4, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Congresswoman Hartzler’s office)

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, says it makes sense to join forces with state lawmakers, since they both serve the same constituents.

“And I feel so honored that so many of our state reps and senators from the Fourth District came to spend a little time discussing issues that impact both at the federal level and state levels,” Hartzler says.

More than a dozen state lawmakers from across the sprawling Fourth Congressional District met this week in Jefferson City with Congresswoman Hartzler. She says numerous topics were discussed during the “Working Together for Missouri Summit.”

“Such as the opioid crisis, the need for rural broadband, need for affordable, accessible health care, transportation, infrastructure,” says Hartzler.

Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, says about ten Missouri school districts currently lack access to high-speed broadband. The governor calls that “unacceptable.” Hartzler says broadband continues to be a big issue in rural areas.

Governor Parson has also proposed a $350 million infrastructure plan, aimed at repairing or replacing 250 bridges across the state. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says more than 900 Missouri bridges are in poor condition.

Congresswoman Hartzler’s district includes Columbia, Moberly, Sedalia and Fort Leonard Wood. She represents all or parts of 24 counties. Hartzler, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, supports GOP President Donald Trump’s border wall.

“Because 90 percent of the heroin that is ending up in our districts and people are overdosing and dying, is coming across the southern border,” Hartzler says.

She tells Missourinet the overwhelming majority of her constituents favor the wall.

Hartzler says 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017 and adds that Congress has approved $10 billion in funding for states to fight the opioid epidemic.

State Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, and State Reps. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, Robert Ross, R-Yukon, Glen Kolkmeyer, R-Odessa and Donna Pfautsch, R-Harrisonville, were among the lawmakers who participated in Monday’s meeting.

Click here to listen to Missourinet news director Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, which was recorded on February 4, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

National Weather Service issues ice storm warning for large section of Missouri (AUDIO)

February 6, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued an ice storm warning for a large section of western and northern Missouri, including Kansas City, Chillicothe, Sedalia and Bethany.

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has a detailed map of the February 6, 2019 ice storm warning area (map courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

The ice storm warning is in effect until noon Thursday.

The NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for a large section of Missouri, including Columbia, Jefferson City and Hannibal.

NWS meteorologist Ryan Cutter tells Missourinet there have been many reports of crashes across north Missouri, because of freezing drizzle and slick roads.

“Numerous accidents across Missouri especially as that freezing drizzle continues to fall, and is causing a slick glazing of ice on roadways,” says Cutter.

The NWS in St. Louis has also issued a winter weather advisory for four northeast Missouri counties, including the towns of Edina and Shelbyville. Motorists can expect hazardous travel there.

Cutter says the commute home Wednesday afternoon will be “slick and icy” in communities stretching from Columbia to Boonville to Kansas City to Kirksville.

“The temperatures where they’re going to stay, we’re going to be well enough below freezing and the continued misty stuff that’s falling from the sky is just going to continue to make things slick through the afternoon,” Cutter says.

Jefferson City and Columbia are expected to receive small amounts of ice accumulation through Thursday afternoon, but the amounts will be larger in northeast Missouri towns like Edina, which is expected to receive 0.18″.

Cutter also reminds you to be safe in stairwells, which could be ice-covered. The railings also could have ice on them.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Ryan Cutter, which was recorded earlier on February 6, 2019, before the ice storm warning was issued:

Missouri governor answers media questions on multiple topics during 43-minute briefing

January 31, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor addressed numerous topics with reporters Thursday afternoon in Jefferson City, ranging from transportation to sports wagering to the Sunshine law.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson speaks to print, radio and television reporters at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City on January 31, 2019 (Brian Hauswirth photo)

Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, spoke at the Governor’s Mansion during the Missouri Press Association and the Associated Press (AP) day at the Capitol. Parson answered questions from print, radio and television reporters for 43 minutes, and also had lunch with reporters before the question and answer session.

Parson will be in southwest Missouri’s Joplin on Friday morning to tour a deteriorating bridge near I-44 that would be replaced under his proposed $350 million infrastructure plan. Parson says the plan would repair or replace 250 Missouri bridges.

The governor told reporters Thursday that while his plan doesn’t fix Missouri’s infrastructure issue, it will help.

“I’m going to try my best, I’m going to try my best to make sure that that gets through the process to realize that the state of Missouri is doing something,” Parson says.

The governor was a vocal supporter of Proposition D, which would have increased the state’s gasoline tax by ten cents per gallon to help pay for Missouri’s highway system. Missourians defeated the measure at the polls in November by about 173,000 votes.

Parson will tour the Rangeline Road bridge over Joplin’s Kansas City Southern Railroad Friday morning, and will be joined by Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) chief engineer Ed Hassinger. The governor will brief Joplin-area reporters Friday morning at 10, near the bridge.

MoDOT says more than 900 Missouri bridges are in poor condition, while another 1,194 are weight restricted.

Parson also says he believes sports wagering is coming to the Show-Me State. During Thursday’s press event, a reporter asked Parson about legislation from State Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, to authorize sports betting.

“And I think it just depends on what the legislators do, but I think that’s going to be an issue that the state of Missouri is going to have to deal with,” says Parson. “And I’m going to see what that package is, or whatever is that comes out of the Legislature before I make a decision.”

The Senate Small Business and Industry Committee heard testimony on the bill Thursday morning. Hoskins, who chairs the committee, tells Missourinet that under his legislation, you would have to register for a sports betting app at one of Missouri’s 13 casinos. He says after registering at a casino, you’d be able to bet anywhere in Missouri, under the bill.

Hoskins predicts sports betting could raise millions of dollars for education and veterans programs.

The governor is not taking a position on a potential merger between St. Louis City and County, which is a controversial issue. Governor Parson was asked about the proposed “Better Together” proposal.

“Now, how it ends up on a statewide vote or it don’t, I’m not sure what the details of that is going to be yet,” Parson says. “I think it’s early to predict that, there’s a lot of moving pieces of that.”

While he’s not taking a position on the issue, Parson says everything must be on the table, adding that Democratic Mayor Lyda Krewson says there are “serious problems” in St. Louis.

State Rep. Bruce Franks, D-St. Louis, has filed legislation to require the potential merger to be approved by a majority of voters in St. Louis City and County.

Parson also says his office has hired a full-time attorney, just to work on Sunshine Law issues and requests. He emphasizes the importance of transparency.

The governor also spoke about his family and the job itself. He says the hardest part of the job is the demand on the position. Parson says the demands are also tough on his family and his farm in southwest Missouri’s Bolivar.

Parson’s plan to fix Missouri bridges includes about $100 million in interest

January 30, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri has more than 900 bridges listed in poor condition. Gov. Mike Parson’s budget proposal calls for borrowing $350 million to fix 250 of the state’s bridges. During a budget hearing at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, says Missourians would pay for more than $350 million.

Parson’s plan to fix Missouri bridges includes about $100 million in interests

“We’re not just indebting ourselves to the $350 million,” he says. “There’s going to be another $100 million of interest we’re going to have to pay over the next 15 years.”

Missouri Transportation Director Patrick McKenna says the agency’s five-year bridge repair plan includes weigh-restricted and poor conditioned bridges.

“Annually, about 100 more bridges come into this category because of age and condition,” he says.

Eigel questions the list of bridges chosen for repair.

“Of 250 bridge projects, St. Louis city, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, which represents about one-third of the population of the state, three of them are in those three areas,” Eigel says. “So, I think there’s some real imbalances at this point in the list.”

Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, has echoed the same concern. McKenna says Eigel’s eastern Missouri district, which is St. Charles County, does not have poor conditioned bridges.

Legislative approval is required for the plan. Hearings are underway to consider the governor’s budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning in July.

Missouri’s Blunt and Clay see federal government shutdown differently

January 25, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Key members in Missouri’s congressional delegation have different perspectives on the end of a 35-day federal government shutdown, and their perspectives are divided along party lines.

Congressman Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis)

President Donald Trump (R) announced Friday afternoon that a compromise deal had been reached to re-open the federal government, adding that furloughed federal employees would receive their back pay as soon as possible.

“I want to thank all of the incredible federal workers and their amazing families, who have shown such extraordinary devotion in the face of this recent hardship,” Trump said Friday in the Rose Garden.

The “Washington Post” reports the U.S. Senate and House approved the plan by voice vote, and both chambers then adjourned. The newspaper says the plan will impact about 800,000 federal employees who had missed two consecutive paychecks.

A Democratic congressman who represents a large portion of the St. Louis region on Capitol Hill is blaming President Trump for the shutdown.

“For 35 days, the President inflicted needless suffering, pain and real damage on federal employees and our nation for absolutely no good reason. The Trump shutdown was never about border security. It was about the President’s ego and his ridiculous campaign promise,” U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay (D) says in a statement. He represents St. Louis City and a large portion of St. Louis County.

Clay, who’s in his tenth term on Capitol Hill and is a senior member of the state’s delegation, also says that “real leaders don’t build walls, they build bridges.”

Congressman Clay had been calling on the president to open the government first, before negotiating about border security. About 100 laid-off and furloughed federal employees met Friday morning at Congressman Clay’s St. Louis office on Gravois.

Clay says more than 12,000 federal employees in Missouri were impacted by the federal government shutdown.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R), sees it differently. Blunt, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, says it’s time for Democrats to come to the negotiating table.

“Shutdowns are bad politics and even worse government. Democrats say they’re for stronger border security. It’s time for them to get to the table. And then this process should be done through the normal structure. The president has a clear responsibility to secure the border and if Democrats cooperate we won’t end up in a place where this is done through declaring an emergency. That precedent could create real problems in the future on other issues,” Blunt says in a statement.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R), who was elected in November, tweeted Friday “After (the) President’s announcement, Democrats now have chance to demonstrate that they are truly serious about securing the border. Democrat members of Congress have said over and over that they support border security. Now it’s time to prove it.”

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City, also tweeted Friday about the issue. “I’m pleased that the President has come to his senses and decided to reopen the government,” Cleaver tweeted.