ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – As a storm intensifies on Friday, road crews and law enforcement in Missouri will face a challenging task. MoDOT’s Transportation Management Center constantly monitors the region’s roadways for any potential issues. With numerous wet roadways in the area, drivers are urged to exercise caution.
MoDOT officials have ensured that they will be fully staffed and prepared to work 12-hour shifts starting at noon on Friday. These storm operations will continue until the storm and its impacts subside. In addition, IDOT and Illinois State Police are on standby if needed.
One obstacle posed by this storm is the inability to pre-treat the roadways to prevent freezing. The rain would simply wash away any pre-treatment applied.
During our earlier discussion with MoDOT and the Missouri Highway Patrol, they expressed their concerns regarding the storm and its aftermath. “One of the big concerns is for people to remember to slow down and be careful, especially during rush hour when there will be a lot of people out there,” said MODOT engineer Bob Becker. Dallas Thompson from MSHP added, “We’re concerned about people sliding off into ditches and being stuck for long periods of time, waiting for help. We also worry about broken-down vehicles and individuals being stuck on the shoulder without any heat.”
MoDOT and the patrol’s primary concerns revolve around the extremely cold temperatures that will follow the storm’s precipitation.
In summary, road crews and law enforcement in Missouri are bracing themselves for a storm that is expected to bring challenges to the region. MoDOT’s Transportation Management Center will be closely monitoring the wet roadways, and the agencies will remain fully staffed and prepared for storm operations. However, the inability to pre-treat roadways poses a challenge in preventing freezing. Slowing down and exercising caution is advised to avoid accidents amid rush hour traffic. The cold temperatures following the storm are also a major concern for MoDOT and the Missouri Highway Patrol.