Busy roads are expected across Missouri as Memorial Day weekend travel gets underway.
With the holiday marking the unofficial start of summer, traffic is picking up statewide. MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger says Triple A expects this to be a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend for travel nationally.
“They say more than 39 million motorists are planning to travel more than 50 miles from home. And that includes nearly 800,000 automobile travelers here in the state of Missouri," Hassinger says
With more than 800,000 travelers expected on Missouri roads this Memorial Day weekend, drivers are being reminded about ongoing construction projects.
Even though work will pause during the holiday, MoDOT’s Becky Allmeroth says those projects will still affect traffic statewide.
“From the Improve I-70 to Forward 44 and dozens of other critical improvements, that means that no matter where in Missouri you are this weekend," Allmeroth explains. "If you are driving, you should expect to encounter a work zone. We know that can be frustrating at times, but we need your patience.”
MoDOT’s Jon Nelson says that after three consecutive years of declining statewide fatalities, recent trends are moving in the wrong direction.
“And in fact March was up by double digits. So, this is not the direction we want to be heading as we move into summer," Nelson says. "So right now, as we head into this holiday weekend it's as important as ever that everyone once again steps up and does their part to help us get moving back in the right direction."
Missourinet