The Insider Podcast discussed the removal of curb bump outs on Long and Clarkson roads, funded by a $52 million federal grant, due to community feedback. MoDOT plans to remove them by early summer, despite a previous commitment to a year-long review. The panel also addressed the Boone Bridge Phase Two rehabilitation, starting in April, expected to complete by spring 2026. COVID Ville's successful Irish Fest was highlighted, with improved safety measures. The new Francis Howell superintendent, Dr. Mike Dominguez, was introduced. Finally, the debate on removing sales tax from groceries in Missouri was discussed, noting potential revenue impacts on local municipalities.

Action Items

• [ ] Advocate for MoDOT to prioritize fixing potholes and road maintenance issues on 141.
• [ ] Investigate if the concrete from the removed curb bump-outs can be repurposed or recycled.
• [ ] Follow up on the progress of the Boone Bridge construction project and its impact on traffic.
• [ ] Review past episodes on teacher merit-based pay to get up to speed for the new Francis Howell superintendent.

Outline

Curb Bump Outs on Long and Clarkson Roads

• Speaker 2 introduces the topic of the curb bump outs on Long and Clarkson roads, mentioning the Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT) decision to remove them.
• Speaker 3 explains that MoDOT will remove the curb bump outs due to community feedback, despite a previous commitment to review them for a year.
• Speaker 4 expresses frustration over MoDOT's handling of potholes on Highway 141, suggesting that the concrete used for the bump outs could have been repurposed for road repairs.
• Speaker 5 clarifies that the curb bump outs were funded by a $52 million federal grant specifically for safety initiatives.

Community Reactions and Alternative Uses for Curb Bump Outs

• Speaker 4 and Speaker 5 discuss the safety concerns of driving through potholes on Highway 141, with Speaker 4 suggesting that MoDOT should repurpose the concrete.
• Speaker 2 and Speaker 5 joke about the community's potential reaction to the removal of the curb bump outs, including selling souvenir pieces of the concrete.
• Speaker 3 and Speaker 4 debate the effectiveness of the curb bump outs as traffic calming measures, with Speaker 4 noting that frequent users of the road would likely ignore them.
• Speaker 3 provides statistics on crashes on Long and Clarkson roads, highlighting the number of fatalities and the quick decision by MoDOT to remove the bump outs.

Boone Bridge Phase Two Rehabilitation

• Speaker 2 transitions to discussing the Boone Bridge Phase Two rehabilitation, which will begin in April.
• Speaker 3 explains that MoDOT will split traffic on the eastbound and westbound interstates 44 and 64, shifting lanes to accommodate the construction.
• Speaker 3 mentions that the construction is expected to be completed by spring 2026, which will affect traffic in both directions.
• Speaker 2 and Speaker 3 discuss the impact of the construction on commuters, with Speaker 4 expressing frustration over the ongoing pothole issues on Highway 141.

COVID Ville's Irish Fest Success

• Speaker 2 introduces the topic of COVID Ville's successful Irish Fest, which took place on St. Patrick's Day weekend.
• Speaker 3 highlights the issues faced during the previous year's event, including public indecency and a serious accident involving a young mother.

Subscribe to Mid Rivers Newsmagazine!
Join Our Newsletter

Facebook | Instagram