The process isn't new, but it may be the first time drivers on Route 53 have seen it. A pilot car is being used to direct one-lane traffic as work to resurface and pave shoulders from Qulin to Campbell is currently underway.

The pilot car is a vehicle, operated by the contractor and signed as "Pilot Car." This vehicle leads traffic south through the one lane work zone. Once there, the car turns to lead northbound traffic through the work zone. All side roads are signed alerting motorists to wait for the pilot car to pass in the direction they intend to travel. Flaggers are only be stationed at state route intersections. At all other intersections, a sign alerts motorists to wait and then follow the pilot car. Resident Engineer Brian Holt urges drivers to be patient in waiting for the pilot car.

"It is new for drivers on Route 53 but in place for their safety. It also very important that drivers approaching on the side roads wait for the pilot car to pass in their direction before entering Route 53 traffic," says Holt.

"This is somewhat unusual traffic control for this area, though MoDOT has used it on many projects before, including a project on Route 67 south of Poplar Bluff with great success," says Project Manager Eric Krapf. "This is a relatively long work zone, but will be moving as the pavement recycling continues and then the resurfacing; therefore, the pilot car method is more cost effective than moving temporary signals on a daily basis."

Krapf says this method is also better at keeping travel speeds down in the work zone because the pilot car will lead traffic. Plus, he says, in a situation where the road is reduced to one lane but has travel alternating in both directions it is safer to have the pilot car in the lead with flashers to alert motorists.

For more information, contact Resident Engineer Brian Holt at (573) 472-5325, Project Manager Eric Krapf at (573) 472-5261 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).