Missouri's Historic Summer Construction Push

0:00It's April 20th. This is Kansas News today, AI-powered stories from your city. Missouri's Department of Transportation is gearing up for what they call a historic summer construction push. From now until October, expect about 1,000 active work zones across the state every single day. That's double what they had four years back, all kicking off during National Work Zone Awareness Week. Earlier this week, officials gathered in grain valley to spotlight road safety as projects ramp up. Extra funding from gas tax hikes between 2021 and 2025 is fueling the boom along with catching up on work stalled by the pandemic. Drivers are already noticing the chaos, with orange barrels popping up everywhere and traffic getting tricky. Folks like those hauling down Interstate 70 are curious about the big expansion adding a third lane over 200 miles set to rat by the end of 2030. The push comes with a stark warning though. 24 people died in work zone crashes last year, all drivers or passengers, no crew.

1:05Official stress thing alert, slowing down and promise no full lane closures to keep things moving. With safer, more reliable roads on the horizon, buckle up and wash those zones close. Missouri constructions here to stay. But so was the call for, smart driving.