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MoDOT completes 16th annual Innovations Challenge
Employees submit ideas in three categories for senior leaders to review
The Missouri Department of Transportation recently completed its 16th annual Innovations Challenge.

The challenge provides employees the opportunity to showcase their ideas to MoDOT's senior leaders while they compete to be chosen as a MoDOT best practice.

Since the inaugural event in 2007, more than 2,000 employee innovations have been submitted, and more than 300 have been selected as a best practice in one of three categories -- Project, Productivity and Tool & Equipment.

The Project category includes efforts resulting in exceptional results for transportation users or internal operations. This can range from new ways to construct transportation improvements to taking an innovative approach to an assigned project.

Productivity best practices include improvements to office and field processes, materials and products. Entries can range from automating or streamlining a time-consuming process to purchasing innovative materials or products to get work done better, faster and safer.

Tool & Equipment innovations were the focus of the challenge program for its first five years and continue to be an active area for innovations. These include items fabricated or modified by MoDOT employees.

A list of past innovations chosen to be best practices is available here, and a comprehensive photo album of the Innovations Challenge is on the MoDOT Flickr account.
Commission hands out Meritorious Safety Awards
Three employees were recognized for their life-saving efforts. SE District's Kirby Woods witnessed and immediately responded to a multi-vehicle crash, and KC District's Matthew Rohner and Clayton Hamlin saved a woman from jumping off an overpass. View pictures here.
New I-35 & 19th St interchange breaks ground
The Kansas City District partnered with the City of Kearney, Mo., to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new I-35 and 19th St. interchange project, estimated at $27 million. The interchange will be a diverging diamond, the second one in Clay County. Read more about the project here.
MoDOT holding online community briefings
The department plans to improve U.S. 160 in Howell and Oregon counties, as well as Route K in Reynolds and Iron counties. The online briefings provide interested stakeholders the opportunity to comment on projects they're interested in.
Today in transportation history
April 2000: The first Work Zone Awareness Week was held four months after the Federal Highway Administration administrator and AASHTO president signed a memorandum of agreement to form such a week. The 22nd iteration of this annual week recently concluded.
Fatality update
Statewide fatality totals as reported on the
Missouri State Highway Patrol website as of April 10, 2022
2022 totals - 230
2021 totals - 228 / 2019 totals - 185
2020 totals - 197 / 2018 totals - 214

Take the challenge
When you get into any vehicle, buckle up your seat belt. If you are a driver, put the cellphone down. Join the 19,980 who have taken the pledge so far.

Missouri Dept. of Transportation | (888) 275-6636
P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270