Missouri kicks off work zone awareness week from new Rocheport Bridge still under construction
Roadway construction and maintenance workers want motorists to put themselves into the workers' shoes when traveling through work zones.
That was a major message Tuesday as part of the kickoff of the National Work Zone Awareness Week, with speakers giving remarks from the Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps Missouri River Bridge under construction in Rocheport. About one-third of the bridge deck is finished from the west side of the bridge heading east, and workers with the Lunda Team are now working their way west from the east side of the bridge to eventually meet in the middle.
More: MoDOT provides update to Columbia REDI on new Rocheport bridge construction
Distracted driving led to 411 work zone crashes last year, where there is potential for serious injury or death of not only of workers but vehicle drivers and passengers. One such work zone crash death in 2016 led to stricter enforcement of work zone laws by 2019, known as Lyndon's Law. It is named to Lyndon Ebker. His daughter, Nicole Herbel, and granddaughter, Kelby Herbel, spoke at Tuesday's kickoff presentation.
"Over seven years ago, I got a phone call that completely changed my life," Nicole Erbel said. "There were no goodbyes to share. That was taken from him and everyone else in my family when a driver did not pay attention and did not slow down as he entered dad's work zone."
Lyndon's Law allows the Missouri Department of Transportation to revoke the drivers' license of anyone who hits a highway or utility worker in a work zone or an emergency responder in an emergency zone.
"Ever since (my grandfather) passed, I have tried to make him proud. ... No one can tell you how losing a loved one will feel. Every time I accomplish something in my life or reach a goal, I want to tell my grandfather," Kelby Erbel said. "I have come to understand that no matter how great our pain, our loved ones would want us to continue living."
The Missouri Department of Transportation also welcomed Gloria Shepherd, federal highway administration executive director.
National Work Zone Awareness Week has been in place for the last 20 years, she said, also taking the chance to highlight the bipartisan infrastructure law.
"This event is particularly close to my heart because it emphasizes the safety of skilled construction workers who risk their lives every day to make transportation safe for the rest of us," Shepherd said. "The (bipartisan infrastructure) law will lead to significantly more road work, which means more work zones as we build, maintain and upgrade roadways with the latest safety features.
"It is essential we also focus on keeping roadway construction safe for workers."
From 2022: Foundation of new Rocheport Bridge, named after fallen Marine, starting to take shape
MoDOT maintenance worker Eric Bybee has daily experience with work zones. Although work zones are a minor inconvenience for motorists, their purpose is keeping everyone safe, he said.
"Minor inconveniences help save lives, people. Our lives and the lives of the public. Our jobs as maintenance and construction professionals is safety is our No. 1 priority so people can return home," Bybee said.
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: New Rocheport bridge serves as kickoff for Work Zone Awareness Week
