Drawing attention to work-zone safety
Jim Feeney, 51, figured he wanted to do something within the Missouri Department of Transportation “besides collecting a paycheck.”
Early Saturday morning, Feeney will begin an 87.2-mile walk to raise awareness for work-zone safety and perhaps some funds for the memorial. A maintenance crew leader in the St. Louis area, Feeney spends a lot of time in work zones. So he’s familiar with the dangers posed by motorists who don’t slow down and pay attention.
“We have close calls all the time,” he told Ride.
Since 1946, there have been 128 Department of Transportation employees who have been killed in the line of duty, MoDOT officials said.
Feeney will make the trek on his own time, by the way. He will be joined by his wife and they will start in Weldon Spring and stick to the Katy Trail. They hope to arrive in Jefferson City on Tuesday.
If you’re interested in making a contribution to the memorial fund, make your check payable to the State Highway & Transportation Employees Association of Missouri and mail it to: District 7 Highway Credit Union, Attn: Dave B. Taylor, 3901 East 32nd Street, Suite A, Joplin, Mo. 64804.
Feeney said you can also make a check out to “Fallen Workers Memorial,” and send it in care of Missouri Department of Transportation District 6, 1590 Woodlake Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017.
Road workers deserve our respect since they help us live better lives.
Program-level public information and outreach is important to drawing attention to the safety and mobility issues in work zones and encouraging drivers to be vigilant while driving through work zones. While several States have their own work zone outreach programs, there are also various programs available at the national level.