JEFFERSON CITY — Even though the General Assembly is taking the week away from the Capitol for Spring Break, work around the state never stops. This week, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) launched an initiative to care for our state’s highways.

The Missouri Pothole Patrol, a month-long effort to keep Missouri’s roads in drivable condition, will be in effect from March 18 through April 14. While many of us enjoy the longer daylight hours and warmer weather, snow melt and rains saturate the ground, as well as sneak into cracks in pavement. When temperatures dip below freezing at night, however, that moisture expands and opens those cracks further, until they become rifts, or potholes.

MoDOT plans to fix these potholes during this project in a quick, timely manner to ensure a continual flow of traffic. Once warmer weather is more constant, more permanent repairs will be made. However, MoDOT officials need the public’s help. If you note any problems, like potholes or other things, like damaged signs, please contact MoDOT by phone at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636), online via the MoDOT home page at www.modot.org under “Report a Road Concern,” or by emailing MoDOT customer service at comments@modot.mo.gov.

Not including the Pothole Patrol, there are also various other road projects taking place around the 21st District. In Caldwell County, repairs are taking place March 18-22 on Route 116 from U.S. Highway 68 in Clinton County to Route A. In Johnson County, Route J is undergoing pavement improvement from Route 50 to Whiteman Air Force Base. The same is happening on Route 23 between Knob Noster and the Lafayette County line, on Route HH from Route 13 to the end of the road’s state maintenance, on Route D between Routes 50 and 23 and on Route Y from Route D to the Pettis County line. Lafayette County has pavement work on Route 13 between I-70 and north Business 13 in Higginsville, from the Johnson County line to Concordia, and from Route O to Route 13 in Higginsville. Improvements to pavement will take place near Route EE in Ray County. In Saline County, Route 20 between 65 to Route EE and I-70 will see pavement work.

If you would like to see if there is any MoDOT work planned in your community, visit www.modot.org and look under your MoDOT district. The Northwest District contains the counties of Caldwell, Carroll and Livingston. The Kansas City District encompasses Johnson, Lafayette, Ray and Saline counties. Howard County is in the Central District. Look under both “Road Work” and “Major Projects” for your county’s district.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.