Cass County and MoDOT
Posted By J.T. on May 26, 2009
The Cass County Commission has received “Highway Construction Guides” for 2009. MoDOT is investing in several projects throughout the county. The County Commission continues to work with MoDOT to identify maintenance, repair, and new construction needs in the county.
Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory noted that MoDOT has been working very hard to address the needs of the county and cities within Cass. “Their door is open. Cass County has been participating in monthly meetings with MoDOT to keep them informed of needs and work with them on current projects,” stated Mallory.
The Cass County Commission has also begun implementation of several of the recommendations made by the Cass County Road & Bridge Task Force. The Commission recently hired Bob White as the new Road & Bridge Quality Assurance (QA) Supervisor. He will answer directly to the commission and work to insure that the county develops a quality road system.
“I am looking at this as a kind of ‘internal affairs’ for our roads,” stated Commissioner Baker. “The focus here is to make sure we do things right…meet the needs of citizens…and improve our service. We improve efficiency by doing things right and we improve the use of tax dollars,” Baker said. “Improving our quality means improving our service to citizens.”
County officials noted that Mr. White is a part-time employee and has a very specifically assigned task of inspecting roads, communicating with concerned citizens, and reporting to the County Commission.
The County Commission has also begun working to use technology to improve the Road & Bridge Department. GPS tracking will now accompany equipment. “From a safety and efficiency stance, this is good stuff,” stated Associate Commissioner Bill Cook. “The goal here is to develop accountability and be able to answer road needs in a fast and productive way. From snow removal to addressing emergency road repairs to knowing how long it takes crews to get rock and grade roads, using technology opens up the doors of progress.”
Baker also noted that road supervisors will now be able to use communication devices to take pictures of road or bridge conditions, send them directly to the Road & Bridge office and begin to get immediate plans in order for repairs. “If there is a damaged bridge issue, we can get a photo of that issue immediately, get the closest road crew to that location, and we can begin to address the issue in a fast and efficient manner,” Baker said. “I can think of cases in the last five months where that technology would have been helpful in serving our citizens.”
Baker complimented the Road & Bridge Department for their willingness to look at new ways to improve service. “Our superintendent, Robert Leeper, and his staff have been great to work with. They see the value of improving service…and they are working diligently to meet our goals. We are very proud of effort they are making to serve citizens. Each employee is doing their part. They know that good things have been accomplished…but they also see we can do better.”
The Cass County Commission says they will continue to work with citizens to look for new ideas and improve service in all areas of the county.
MODOT 2009 PROGRAMMED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Route 7: Resurfacing and shoulder treatments from north of the Jackson County line to 163rd Street in Pleasant Hill.
Route 71: Reconstruct interchange at 163rd Street
Route 71: Construct new North Cass Parkway interchange two miles south of Route 58
Route B: Pavement improvements from Route 71 to Route 7
Route C: Pavement improvements from Route 71 to Peculiar Drive
Route D: Pavement and shoulder improvements from Route Y to Route A
Route E: Pavement improvements from Route VV to Route 58
Route K: Pavement improvements from Route K to end of maintenance
Route VV: Pavement improvements from Route 7 to Route E
Route Y: Pavement improvements from Kansas state line to Route YY
Route YY: Pavement improvements from Route Y to Route C
MODOT 2009 PREVENTATIVE MAINTENACE
Route O: Chip & Seal from Route 2 to Route A
Route W: Chip & Seal from 307th Street to Route A
MODOT 2009 SAFE & SOUND BRIDGE PROJECTS
Route 2: Deck replacement of bridge A1391 over the Grand River east of Freeman
Route B: Deck replacement of bridge T0649 over Knob Creek near Creighton
Route O: Deck replacement of bridge N0777 over the Grand River south of Freeman
Route O: Deck replacement of bridge A0627 over Poney Creek in Freeman
MODOT AMERICAN RECOVER AND REINVESTMENT ACT PROJECTS (based on currently awarded funds)
Route 2: Pavement treatment from Commercial Street to Route ZZ
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