Help Save Lives: Submit Comments to Missouri Highways and Transportation Commissioners
Eureka's One Curve At A Time founder says the deadline is June 1 to submit public comments to Missouri transportation officials who will vote on the final list of statewide roadway projects to fund the next several years.
As of today, residents only have 15 days left to voice their support of keeping the proposed Highway FF road improvement projects top-of-mind for Missouri Highways and Transportation Commissioners who will vote on July 11 regarding final Missouri Department of Transporation projects to receive funding for the 2013-2017 period.
In the draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Missouri, funding for shoulders to be added along the entire stretch of Highway FF is at the top of the list. "We need your help to keep it there. Timing is critical. Don’t wait to email public comments. Missouri Department of Transportation funding is tight. If we keep Highway FF as a top priority to be funded, we can make our region safer," said Shawn Archambault.
"The more the community supports this project, the more the Commission will pay attention."
Archambault founded a foundation dedicated to road safety and improvements after his 20-year-old daughter, Kaela, died in an auto accident on Highway FF during November 2010.
Highway FF, located on the border of Eureka and northwestern Jefferson County, has been documented as one of the most dangerous two-lane roadways in Missouri.
To submit a comment in support of Highway FF shoulders:
- Click on Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, then click on comments.
- Visit the One Curve At A Time website and place comments there.
- Email comments directly to the commissioners by clicking here to get the email address.
- Call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636).
Including the specific job number for the proposed Highway FF project—6S3011—will help comments be noticed.
In the last 10 years, great progress has been made to improve Missouri’s transportation system, due largely to funding from Amendment 3 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to MoDOT representatives. But Missouri’s transportation system is in the midst of a drastic funding shortage, and unless a solution is found, the situation will only get worse, according to transportation officials.
Missouri’s construction program has dropped from an average of $1.2 billion in recent years to about $700 million.
The draft 2013-2017 STIP lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2013 through 2017 (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2017). See related Patch article: St. Louis Area Transportation Projects Presented Monday
Transportation projects in Jefferson County that were added to STIP include:
- Add shoulders to Route FF
- Add shoulders to Route Z
- Add a third lane to northbound Interstate 55 at Route Z
"While MoDOT is pleased that we are able to incorporate these transportation projects, there will be very few like these in the future,” Judy Wagner, MoDOT Area Engineer for Jefferson County said. “We simply no longer have the resources to tackle projects that enhance our transportation system."
Kaela's Dad
10:22 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
3 minutes of someones time can make a life time change
georg
1:59 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
My husband and I travel FF many times daily. In our opinion the accidents and deaths are due to 2 main problems. First is speed. I cannot tell you how many times we have been tailgated by drivers trying to push us to drive faster than the speed limit. I personally have been almost hit head on, fortunately for me, the out of control car ended up hitting the car behind me. I have also almost being side swiped by a driver trying to pass myself and 3 other cars ahead of me. Both of these examples were related to someone driving way too fast. The second problem is the use of cell phones/texting while trying to drive. I have many times had someone tailgate me, while on the phone or texting. This combination is a time bomb waiting to go off. I do feel that having the sides of FF cleared back has helped the visability, especially regarding the deer. But, the bottom line is that Hwy FF is not the problem, speed and inattention are.
Stephanie Stemmler
5:08 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I agree that speed is an issue on the roadways, which is why MoDot also worked with Jefferson County Sheriff's office to build a new "pull-off" on Hwy FF so that police can both monitor and stop unsafe drivers. The problem is that, with no shoulders, there are only 1 or 2 places for police to do extended monitoring. We have seen stepped up patrols. One Curve at a Time believes in the three E's--Education, Enforcement, and Engineering. Educating the public about speeding and unsafe driving, enforcement by police, and MoDot re-engineering the road to make it safer. Shoulders would go a long way to enhance law enforcement efforts and keep the roads safe. MoDot has already committed to improving three curves, Jeff Co Sheriff has committed to stepped up patrols; and we now have Shoulders on FF as a top project for consideration for funding. We would appreciate if people would comment positively on this proposed funding. PROJECT NUMBER IS 6S3011; not 653011. Please make note of the project number. One Curve At A Time thanks you. Stephanie Stemmler, founding member, One Curve At A Time
Julie Brown Patton
5:40 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
@Stephanie Stemmler: The information I received indicated the project number was 653011. Did it change? Has it been confirmed? Thanks very much.
Julie Brown Patton
11:22 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Note to all readers: It was confirmed this morning via Missouri Department of Transportation documents that the updated/current project number for Highway FF shoulder work is 6S3011. That has been updated in the body of the article.
Stephanie Stemmler
8:05 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
To all those still considering commenting to the Missouri Highway Commission on the potential funding of shoulders for Hwy FF---OUR EFFORTS ARE WORKING!! One Curve At A Time has received an update from Judy Wager, Area Engineer for MoDot, and the engineer working with us to improve the safety of Hwy FF. When asked if people were submitting comments about the proposed funding, Ms. Wagner offered this comment: "Yes, we have absolutely been overwhelmed with all the comments regarding Rte. FF in Jefferson County. I have been told this is the most comments the Missouri Highway Commission has ever received on the draft STIP. Have a great and safe holiday weekend everyone, Judy" Judy Wagner, P.E.
Area Engineer, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND TELL YOUR HIGHWAY COMMISSION YOU WANT HWY FF TO BE MADE SAFER. WE HAVE ONE WEEK LEFT TO SUBMIT COMMENTS. Visit OneCurveAtATime.org and we'll take you step by step thru the process to send a comment to Missouri highway officials. Thanks everyone! Stephanie Stemmler, One Curve At A Time.
Julie Brown Patton
10:36 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
Stephanie, thanks for the update. Hopefully many more people can find a few minutes this weekend to record their comments.