Heavy traffic expected over the Holiday stretch this week

Heavy traffic is expected this week as we head into the July 4th Holiday stretch.

MoDOT told us they will be suspending construction and reducing any lane restrictions to help with some of the congestion.

However, lane and bridge closures already in place will be maintained.

To help ensure people’s safety this weekend, drivers can expect to see a lot of troopers on the road enforcing the laws.

Missouri State Highway Patrol will be starting a counting period, which will begin at 6 p.m. today and last through tomorrow at 12 a.m.

There were alarming statistics from 2017, according to M.S.H.P., over a three-day stretch, there were almost 1100 crashes, 26 people killed, 469 injuries and 172 DWI’s in Missouri on the roads.

State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood said, “please pay attention, buckle up, don’t talk on your phone or text while driving, obey the speed limit and don’t drink and drive. It’s that simple.”

It is also one of the busiest boating days of the year.

Last year, during the counting period on the water in Missouri, one person was killed in a boating crash, there were 3 injuries, and one person drowned.