MoDOT Closes 19th Street for Repairs

The Missouri Department of Transportation will close eastbound and westbound 19th street on the west side of I-35 in Kearney for drainage repairs next week.

The closure will be between the roundabout and Nation Road starting on approximately Monday, October 14 at 6 a.m. and continue until Thursday, October 17 at 5 p.m. All work is weather permitting.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

New KC Roadway Safety Coalition Launches

The Kansas City Region of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety recently kicked off its new partnership of safety advocates who come together for a common purpose: to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Missouri public roadways.

More than 60 partners from various organizations in the nine counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Platte, Ray, and Saline gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Missouri Department of Transportation Kansas City District office in Lees Summit for the first meeting of the regional coalition.

“We were so encouraged and excited to see the support from across the region for improving highway safety,” said MoDOT District Engineer Chris Redline. “Focusing on reducing highway injuries and fatalities is something we can all play a role in and make a personal difference.”

Topics covered at the meeting included local traffic issues, the Missouri Hands-Free Law, working together as partners, and the state’s Buckle-Up Phone-Down campaign. Speakers included representatives from agencies like MoDOT, MSHP, MCRS-KC board members, and a testimony from Jo Higgins-Hines whose son, Jomari Hines, passed away tragically in a car crash just 10 days after graduating from high school this past summer.

“I have a deep-seated passion for improving safety standards and achieving measurable goals for safety enhancements, with a commitment to safeguarding lives and futures,” said Ashley Stark, Director of Safety & Security at the Sedalia School District and one of the KC MCRS board members. “I am driven to serve on our coalition to promote a culture of safety in our district, ensuring every journey is a step toward a safer, more secure environment.”

The focus of the coalition is education, community outreach, enforcement, leadership, and partnerships that advance Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan. Safety campaign focuses include occupant protection, distracted driving, speed and aggressive driving, impaired driving, teen driving, older driving, pedestrians, and other road users.

Membership in the coalition is open to any person or organization in the nine counties of the Kansas City Region wishing to participate in developing and implementing traffic safety strategies. Meetings are held quarterly across the district with both in-person and virtual options. The next meeting is in January.

Get more info on the website at www.savemolives.com/mcrs/Kansas-City-Region.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Highway 33 Closed due to Culvert Failure

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced the closure of Missouri Highway 33 between Kearney and Holt.

Missouri Route 33 between MO Route CC and Burris Road near Holt and Kearney will be closed until further notice effective Wednesday, August 28. The closure is expected to begin between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm.

The closure is due to a culvert failure according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. The official signed detour for this closure is I-35 in both directions.

The reopening date is currently unknown until the project can be designed, awarded, and replaced.

For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at www.modot.org/kansascity.

 Brian Watts contributed to this story.

MoDOT to Repair Pavement on I-35

The Missouri Department of Transportation will be conducting pavement repair work on I-35 near Kearney resulting in various lane closures. See below for dates and times. All work is weather permitting.

Thursday, July 25 at 7 p.m. to Friday, 26 at 6 a.m.

- I-35 southbound between mm 30.2 and 28.4, 2 miles north of Kearney

Saturday, 27 at 7 p.m. to Sunday, 28 at 6 a.m.

- I-35 southbound at mm 30.2, 2 miles north of Kearney

- I-35 northbound at mm 30.2/Muddy Fork River

Monday, July 29 at 7 p.m. to Tuesday, July 30 at 6 a.m.

- I-35 southbound from north of 19th St in Kearney to south of Fishing River Bridge

- I-35 northbound at mm 30.2, 2 miles north of Kearney

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Drainage Repair to Close 19th Street Interchange

The Missouri Department of Transportation is conducting drainage repairs on 19th Street in Kearney resulting in a full closure between I-35 east ramps to Watson Drive.

The road closure will begin Monday, July 29 at 6 a.m. and continue to Wednesday, July 31 at 4 p.m. There will be no posted detour. Motorists should use the I-35 and Route 92 interchange as an alternate route. All work is weather permitting.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.

For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at modot.org/kansascity.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.