City Of Kansas City: KCMO Approves New And Improved Traffic Control Policy

Kansas City MO

11 December, 2021

9:22 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Kansas City: 12/10/2021 4:35 PM NEWS RELEASE The KCMO City Council has approved new rules to help drivers get through construction zones more easily. The new Traffic Control Policy updates traffic control rules to minimize the number of lane closures and detours in construction zones on streets and sidewalks. Traffic control is required for any work occurring in the public right-of-way to ensure the safety of crews and the traveling public. These new rules will add clarity for contractors and result in more straightforward and less messy construction zones. Specifically, this new policy will: Require traffic control devices (like cones) on streets and sidewalks to be removed after 48 hours if work is not actively underway. This will ensure there is no unnecessary traffic control or closures on our streets and sidewalks if work is delayed or not occurring. Require open excavations to be covered with steel plates and embedded in the pavement to ensure the highest level of safety around our work zones. Require traffic control devices to not be placed more than 300 feet from any work site and not on side streets to ensure traffic control is clear, straightforward and directly associated with the actual work zone. "These enhanced safety measures for street construction and excavation projects will make travel throughout our city easier, faster, and safer" said City Manager Brian Platt. "This policy builds on both our vision zero efforts to improve safety and also our street excavation rules to improve street infrastructure maintenance. We have far too many traffic cones, lane closures, and redirections on our streets, often time with no ongoing construction. This new rule will dramatically reduce the number of traffic control devices on our streets and make travel easier and safer for all road users." "We know construction zones can be frustrating and confusing," said Michael Shaw, Public Works Director. "But we are optimistic that this policy, in coordination with our KCMO staff inspectors and contractor partners working out in the field, will result in less headaches for the traveling public, more straightforward routes and a safer and more pleasant drive or walk through construction zones." This policy is yet another way KCMO is investing in and improving Kansas City streets. Over the last year, KCMO rolled out a new and improved snow program, adding more trucks, drivers and longer operations, developed a new street repair strategy that includes doubling the street resurfacing budget and a goal of resurfacing 300 lane miles, updated the street excavation policy to ensure smoother streets after utility repair, and introduced a Vision Zero program to transform our streets and make them safer for everyone. For more information on construction work happening across KCMO, visit: KCMO.gov and search for "Street Closure Map". Media can contact Maggie Green, Media Relations Manager, at 816-379-6562. This press release was produced by the City of Kansas City. The views expressed here are the author's own.