March 30, 2021

EMPHASIS: Operation P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Scheduled During National Work Zone Safety Week April 26-30, 2021

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to make the public aware of the Operation P.R.O.T.E.C.T. (Patrol Response Operation To Enforcement of Construction zone Traffic) enforcement projects scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021, and Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The projects are part of a joint effort with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) to raise awareness about work zone safety.

"Last year in Missouri, 27 people died and another 661 people were injured in crashes taking place in a work zone," said Col. Olson. "Speed limits are lower in work zones and the roadway may be narrowed to accommodate the construction. This leaves less room for drivers to react if the vehicles in front of them slow down or stop suddenly. Please stay alert, obey the posted speed limit, and watch for changes in traffic patterns. Let's make work zones safer for our highway workers as well as others who are traveling through the area."

Operation P.R.O.T.E.C.T. coincides with National Work Zone Safety Week, which is April 26-30, 2021, and is scheduled for the following locations:

Troop	Type of Construction	County(ies)	Location
A	Bridge Repair to the Interstate 435 bridge over the Missouri River & acceleration lane expansion	Clay/Jackson	Missouri River Bridge on I-435 & MO Highway 210 Interchange to southbound I-435
A	Bridge replacement over 56th Street	Platte	Bridge A1669 at Interstate 29 and NW 56th Street
C	Interchange improvements & bridge repair	St. Louis County	Interstate 44/Interstate 270 Interchange & Meramec River Bridge
D	Pavement replacement	Jasper	South on Interstate 49 for 1.25 miles from Interstate 44
E	Diverging diamond	Cape Girardeau	Interstate 55 at Exit 99
E	Resurfacing	Perry & Cape Girardeau	MO Highway 51 (Exit 129) to U.S. Highway 61 (Exit 105)
H	Pavement repair	Clinton	North on Interstate 35 for 1 mile from the MO Highway 116 / I-35 interchange
H	Pavement repair & asphalt overlay	Caldwell	MO Highway 36

Operation P.R.O.T.E.C.T. identifies and prioritizes construction/work zones with critical issues or problems affecting highway safety through complaints from the public, highway/construction workers, law enforcement, and emergency responders, and takes into account recent crash statistics. In addition, a Zero Tolerance enforcement policy has been established for the operation as well as routine construction zone enforcement focusing on traffic violations, such as speed, following too close, other hazardous moving, and commercial motor vehicle violations. This zero tolerance policy directs troopers to take appropriate action on all observed traffic violations in construction/work zones by issuing uniform citations or warnings.

Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back …”

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