ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Jan. 2 – 8 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, bridge maintenance, striping, brush cutting, guardrail repairs and other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. With the possibility of winter weather, scheduled maintenance and construction projects may be postponed.

MoDOT reminds the public to stay alert, watch for road work, buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones and in changing weather conditions.

For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT or visit MoDOT’s website.

Buchanan County

• Interstate 29 and U.S. Route 36 – Crossover maintenance, Jan. 3 – 6
• Route 116 – From Route 116 to Route HH for sealing, Jan. 3 – 6

Caldwell County

• U.S. Route 36 – CLOSED at the Route 13 overpass for bridge maintenance, Jan. 3 – 6, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic will be directed up and over the ramps at Hamilton during the closure.

Clinton County

• Route 116 – From U.S. Route 169 to the Buchanan County line for sealing, Jan. 3 – 6
• Route 33 – From Isley Road to 209^th Street for drainage work, Jan. 3 – 6
• Route 33 – From Clinton Street to Short Street in Lathrop for drainage work, Jan. 3 – 6

Daviess County

• Route 13 – From Route 6 to Route HH for sealing, Jan. 3 – 6

Gentry County

• Route Z – Sealing, Jan. 3 – 6

Grundy County

• U.S. Route 65 and Route 6 – Pothole patching, Jan. 3 – 6

Harrison County

• I-35 – From mile marker 88 (Route 13 exit) to mile marker 84 (Route A/H exit) for drainage work, Jan. 3 – 6

Linn County

• U.S. Route 36 – Eastbound from Route 11 to Route 5 for pothole patching and sealing, Jan. 3 – 6
• Route 139 – Shoulder work, Jan. 3 – 6
• U.S. Route 36 – Westbound from Route 5 to Route FF for pothole patching and sealing, Jan. 6

Mercer County

• Route P – CLOSED at the Brushy Creek Bridge for a bridge replacement. The road will be closed until February 2017.

Nodaway County

• U.S. Route 136 – From the One Hundred and Two River Bridge to Route 46 for shoulder work, Jan. 3 – 6
• Route C – Two miles west of Clearmont at the Nodaway River Bridge for a stream bank stabilization project, Jan. 3 – 6

HAMILTON, Mo – U.S. Route 36 will close daily after the first of the year in Hamilton.

Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation will close all lanes of eastbound U.S. Route 36 at Route 13 for bridge maintenance. The road will be closed from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Monday through Friday, weather permitting, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. Motorists will be rerouted up and over the ramps at Route 13. It will take approximately one month to complete the project.

All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

MoDOT encourages all motorists to slow down, buckle up, eliminate distractions and drive safely to ensure everyone is able to Arrive Alive.

Bill Puett has officially taken over for outgoing Sheriff Mike Strong at the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.

Puett was elected as the new sheriff during the Nov. 8 election.  January 1, the role officially changed hands.

“I had to go to new sheriff’s school for two weeks.  That’s required,” Puett said. “The sheriff has been completely supportive.  We’ve worked side-by-side for a long time and we don’t want the services the sheriff’s office provides to skip a beat.  We want everything to continue to move forward and get what needs to be done, done.”

Strong said he’s looking forward to retirement.

“Fishing, maybe do a little more flying, grand kids, I’ve got some projects at the house,” Strong said. “I have a lot to keep me busy.”

Strong took the sheriff’s office in 2005.  Prior to that he began working with the Drug Strike Force in 1991.  In his time as sheriff, Strong said there have been many things he’s been able to help with.

“The sex offender list, the no tolerance approach we took on that.  Knowing where the bad guys are and being able to keep people informed,” Strong said. “I think the development of the staff is probably one of the biggest achievements.  The caliber of people we have here now is just phenomenal.”

Puett was sworn into office Friday during a ceremony.  He has appointed Mike Donaldson as his second-in-command.

“The undersheriff, he prefers the term Chief Deputy,” Puett said. “So we’ll go back to the term Chief Deputy and his rank is going to be commander.”

Puett said in the spring the sheriff’s office will take part in some community meetings throughout the city and county.

“If they have ideas or want to come meet us or talk to us I’ll encourage folks to come do that,” Puett said. “Before then if anybody has anything they can always reach out to us at the sheriff’s office.”

 

With New Year’s celebrations in the works for many the Missouri State Highway Patrol is encouraging safe driving practices.

Last year over the New Year’s holiday counting period, there were 954 traffic crashes, which injured 364 people. There were seven fatalities during the 2016 New Year’s holiday counting period. The 2017 New Year’s holiday counting period is from 6 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2016, until 11:59 p.m.on Monday, January 2, 2017.

The Patrol said many Missourians will plan special gatherings to welcome 2017.

“If your plans include alcohol, remember that nothing ruins a party like a DWI arrest or a drinking-related traffic crash on your way home. Designate a sober driver before the party starts,” the Patrol said. “The roadway is no place for a driver who has been drinking. If you cause a traffic crash, your New Year might begin with being arrested, facing legal fees and medical bills, and perhaps jail time! You could lose your license and will have to face your family and friends. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life. No one wants to begin 2017 in jail. Be smart! Designate a sober driver or take a taxi.”

in addition officers are asking people to remember to buckle up and obey traffic laws.

“Be a courteous driver: When in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Pay attention and use your turn signal to communicate your intentions to other drivers. The posted speed limit reflects the roadway’s classification and is not a suggestion! There’s no reason to speed—the party starts after you arrive safely,” the Patrol said.