In an effort to reduce the number of head-on and run-off accidents in Texas and other surrounding counties, the south central district of Missouri Department of Transportation recently awarded contracts for rumble strip installation and guardrail, guard cable repair.
The rumble strip contract, awarded during the August meeting of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, involves various routes in Carter, Crawford, Dent, Howell, Phelps, Pulaski, Shannon, Texas and Washington counties. The focus of the work will be major routes such as Interstate 44 and U.S. 60, 63 and Highways 8 and 72.
The project, at a cost of $107,978, was awarded to Penhall Company of Rogers, Minn. Crews could begin installation of the strips as early as September 2007. Completion of the work is expected by July 2008.
According to Chris Rutledge, MoDOT South Central District transportation planning manager, the number of fatalities on Missouri roadways must be reduced.
“We are simply losing too many lives on our roads,” Rutledge said. “Several engineering options are available to MoDOT as we work with our Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety partners to reduce roadway fatalities. One of these is the installation of rumble strips.
“Rumble strips have proven very effective in alerting motorists when they are about to leave the travel lane. By drawing their attention to it right away, they are afforded the opportunity to correct before it is too late.”
According to Rutledge, the purpose of the guardrail, guard cable contract is to allow damaged guardrail and guard cable to be quickly repaired. This ensures the guardrail or guard cable will perform according to design, increasing safety, should it be hit again.
The guardrail, guard cable contract is an on-call agreement, meaning the contractor will respond to the scene of the damaged guardrail or guard cable and perform necessary repairs. The contract extends from August 2007 through June 2008.