Updates offered on highway construction in this area
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by Chris Redline
The winter season is fully upon us, and the Missouri Department of Transportation vehicles are out, spreading salt and salt brine and trying to clear away the snow from the roadways so that you and your families can get to school, to work and home safely.
Following a road maintenance vehicle requires cooperation not only from the vehicle driver, but from the traveling public as well. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are following a maintenance vehicle:
1) Maintain your distance to avoid collisions and damage from flying sand and salt.
2) Move your vehicle to the left of your lane so the equipment operator can see you in the mirror.
3) Snowplows cause soft snow to swirl, making it difficult to see the plow, and for the plow operator to see you.
4) Snowplows usually leave a ridge of snow, making passing hazardous.
5) Turn on your headlights and windshield wipers to provide additional visibility.
6) Snow removal equipment may have to slow down, stop or back up. Beware and stay aware.
7) Do not pass until the snowplow reaches a clear area.
8) Plowing snow on a multi-lane roadway (such as Interstate 35 or Route 36) is often done in tandem (more than one snowplow at a time). Give them plenty of room. Do not pass on the right side and stay where the operator can see you.
9) Remember, icy roads make it difficult to steer and to stop. Slow down gradually, especially when you approach curves and stops. Beware of icy spots especially on bridges and in sheltered areas.
10) Turn your headlights on in bad weather.
11) Plan your trips carefully. Use well-traveled routes and allow plenty of time for arrival. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order and filled with fuel. Let someone know where you are going, when you are leaving, and when you expect to return. Check often for current weather reports through the various media sources before you travel, then keep the radio on. Weather conditions change rapidly, and so do the road conditions.
To bring you up to date about work done in our area during the 2000 construction season, here are some of the major jobs completed or nearly completed in the five county area:
*Seven miles of Flycoats were completed on Routes RA and Z in DeKalb county. Flycoating is the application of oil to rejuvenate the asphalt already in the pavement. Minimal rock is applied n order to control oil splatters on automobiles.
*In addition, we are working to bring to “good condition” Route T in Daviess county by filling the ruts with asphalt.
*Forty-five miles of 1″ and 1-3/4″ asphalt overlays were completed on Route 136 in Harrison/Gentry counties, Route Z on Daviess/Gentry counties, Route B & C in Daviess county, and Routes 33 and PP in Clinton county.
*Seven bridges in Daviess and DeKalb counties were treated with Indeck seals. Indeck is oil applied to a bridge deck which is just starting to show signs of deteriorating. The purpose of this application is to extend the bridge life by filling hairline cracks to prevent salt and water from deteriorating the concrete.
*We’re also be patching potholes on all routes and replacing deficient signs.
Here’s a thumbnail update on area construction projects:
*The grading for the new eastbound lanes from Hamilton to the Livingston County line is almost completed. The concrete paving contact is scheduled to be let in December.
*Resurfacing of eastbound Route 36 from just west of Cameron to west of Hamilton was completed this summer.
*The southbound I-35 emergency concrete replacement project south of Bethany is almost completed. This one mile segment was an old control test section which failed quickly this past summer. Quick action by MoDOT allowed this project to be designed and constructed in just a few months.