Highway Construction Halted for Thanksgiving Travelers

To help people travel around Missouri this holiday weekend, Missouri Department of Transportation officials stated in a news release today they are restricting construction work on interstates and state highways. Work on all MoDOT construction projects that would impact travel lanes will stop at noon on Wednesday.

Traffic still will be restricted in areas where there are permanent barriers. Crews may continue to work on sections of roadway closed to the public (such as the Route 141 construction in St. Louis). If required, crews also will close lanes where needed for emergency maintenance.

Work on construction projects will resume at 9 a.m. on Monday.

To check on the most recent traffic conditions on interstates or major state routes, travelers can dial 5-1-1 from most cell phones. If the 5-1-1 connection isn't working, motorists also can dial 877-478-5511 (877-4STL-511).

"The Thanksgiving holiday is about togetherness and fun for many," said Don Hillis, MoDOT assistant chief engineer. "It can also be a time of long drives and bleary-eyed early morning shoppers. You can't count on other drivers to be attentive, so be sure to keep a sharp eye out and be ready to react."

Thanksgiving also marks the start of winter weather awareness in the Midwest, as snow and ice tend to make their winter debut in late November or early December, Hillis reminded in a media statement.