Innovations Challenge, DOMinno and the Future of Funding

Two weeks ago, a number of MoDOT leaders gathered in Springfield for the Innovations Challenge and the DOMInno meeting. The Innovations Challenge was great … so many good ideas. Every year I am amazed that all these good ideas keep coming. But what is more important, and really cool to see, is what happens as folks look at these innovations and it triggers the thought in someone’s mind about the next thing. I could see that going on all around the exhibit hall. This creates the environment throughout the organization to always look to make things better, safer, faster, cheaper and easier.

I also wanted to highlight what Vice Chairman Carmichael, Roberta Broeker, Kathy Harvey and I tried to covey during the opening session. Our goal was to do three things: thank Team MoDOT for what you have done, give some clear direction on where we are headed and talk about what we expect from employees as it relates to the 1-cent sales tax proposal for transportation.

Thanks!

You all are doing great work. From snow operations to delivering projects across the board, you are knocking it out of the park.

Direction

The direction is and will be the same: Keep our roads and bridges in as good condition as long as you can with what you have to work with; Keep our customers and ourselves safe; and Provide outstanding customer service. The direction is pretty simple and it won't matter if we get more money or not; the direction is the same.

1-cent tax proposal

Employees need to know the basics: it's a 1-cent sales tax and it exempts groceries and medicine; it is temporary (lasts 10 years); 5 percent goes to cities and 5 percent goes to counties! It can be used on any mode of transportation and there will be a project list of what will be delivered with the new revenues. MoDOT can talk about the facts, but cannot campaign for the tax. As employees, the most important thing you can do is a good job. Be a great example of what MoDOT is all about. Take care of what you have control over and don't worry about the rest.

- Ed 

Work Zone Awareness Week

Nature threw a lot at us this winter but we answered the challenge in stride, keeping roads cleared when it snowed and fixing potholes after the snow melted.

Now, with the kick Off of Work Zone Awareness Week, our crews will be taking on a whole new set of challenges.  Mowing, striping, and chip seal are at the top of the list.

We’ll be close to traffic and working in different kinds of work zones -- some stationary, some moving.

The new “Slow Down and Move Over” law is great. It requires drivers to give us a lane, or slow down, if they see our flashing yellow lights.  That’s definitely a step in the right direction, but it’s only the beginning when it comes to safety.

We still have to stay sharp and keep our heads up.  We still have to watch for motorists who just aren’t paying attention to what’s going on in front of them. “Safety Begins with Me” is more than a slogan we put on stickers.  It’s a philosophy that addresses our personal responsibility to making it home safely.

It’s great that we have laws that require motorists to give us room. It’s great that we have gear that increases our visibility when we’re in a work zone.

But in the end, following procedure, checking your equipment, wearing the right PPE and paying attention are the best safety measures you can take in a work zone.

Don’t rush or cut corners. Take time to be safe!