A media event was held near an I-70 construction site on Tuesday, April 21. Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain

Managing Editor

A backdrop of vehicles traveling along Interstate 70 (I-70) hummed as representatives from Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Clarkson-Radmacher Construction and Missouri State Highway Patrol emphasized construction work zone safety and called for the public to “Work With Us” during a media event on Tuesday, April 22.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is observed from April 21 to 25, just as highway construction projects across the nation begin. In Kansas City, construction for the Improve I-70 KC Project — a five-mile stretch between The Paseo and U.S. Route 40 at 31st Street — began last week and will continue in phases through 2028.

According to an April 21 MoDOT press release, 23 people were killed in Missouri work zone crashes in 2024, with distracted driving contributing to at least four fatalities in that time frame. 350 work zone crashes — fatality and non-fatality — were recorded statewide.

Matt Killian, assistant district engineer for MoDOT KC, began the program sharing that the Kansas City district covers nine counties and there are 60 active work zones within the region as repairs of interstates and state highways commence during the warmer months.

Billy Clarkson, president of Clarkson Construction, stated that its employees were “prepared as possible for safety,” but driver awareness is the biggest component to keeping employees safe as they construct roadways for increased motorist safety.

Concluding the brief program, Missouri State Highway Patrol Lt. Andy Bell remarked that all work zones are marked with flashing lights, and Missouri enacted the Move Over Law (RSMo 304.022, 2017) requiring drivers to change lanes or slow down when encountering any vehicle with flashing lights.

“Distracted driving is dangerous and sometimes deadly. We can not emphasize enough the importance of the Hands Free Law, which is simply this- put your phone down and pay attention … the first time offense is a $150 fine,” said Lt. Bell.

Even cautious drivers can be impacted by those who are not, Lt. Bell said, and wearing seat belts can save lives.

“Please, 100 percent of the time, wear your seat belt. It is your best defense in the event of a crash,” Lt. Bell said. Last year, 955 people involved in collisions died from not wearing a seat belt, statewide.

Lt. Bell emphasized that highway patrol officers will be monitoring construction work zones to ensure motorists comply with reduced speeds and Missouri state laws.

More information about Missouri’s Move Over Law and Hands Free Law can be found at www.modot.org as well as updates on interstate and state roadway work zones.