If you are a driver concerned that Route 53 between Qulin and Campbell is not as smooth after recent paving improvements as you had hoped, you are not alone. But, MoDOT has good news-the repairs aren't completed just yet.

"What drivers are experiencing now is only an intermediate step in the improvement process," says Assistant Resident Engineer Jason Williams. "The Route 53 project was designed in two phases. The first is called Cold In-Place Recycling, which was just completed. The next step is to overlay the route to increase the smoothness."

Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) starts by acting as a regular milling operation to grind up the old pavement, but the material is captured and screened, crushed if not properly sized, remixed and then dumped out to be put back down on the route-in essence, recycling the existing pavement.

"Because drivers have seen only this first step, there is concern that the improvements aren't as good as they should be," says Williams. "But CIR is designed not to increase the smoothness of the route but to serve as a base to extend the life of the pavement."

Williams says CIR is often used on roads that require more work than a traditional overlay but less work than full-scale reconstruction. One big advantage is that it has been shown to slow cracking in the pavement. States using the process report it takes 15 to 20 years for pavement using CIR to reach the same frequency of cracking that a standard resurfacing process sees in 10 years.

"We want drivers to know what they are traveling on currently isn't the finished product," says Williams. "This is just a necessary first step. The CIR coupled with the resurfacing should give Route 53 motorists a much smoother drive and a longer pavement life."

And, drivers should expect to see the resurfacing get started later this month. During resurfacing, traffic will be reduced to one lane and follow a pilot car as it did during the CIR process. Williams wants to urge drivers to once again be patient when waiting for the pilot car, which leads traffic through the one lane work zone and then turns to lead opposing 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.

"With Route 53 reduced to one lane and travel alternating in both directions, it is very important that drivers approaching on the side roads must wait for the pilot car to pass in their direction before entering Route 53 traffic," says Williams.

Weather permitting, MoDOT is hoping the entire project from Qulin to Campbell will wrap up later this year. Two remaining portions of Route 53 are scheduled for improvements. Work is expected to get underway from Poplar Bluff to Qulin and from Campbell to Holcomb next year.

* Route 53

Route 53 in Dunklin County will be reduced to one lane while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge repairs.

Weather permitting, Route 53 will be reduced to one lane from one mile north of Route J to one half mile north of the St. Francis River Bridge Monday, July 14 and Tuesday, July 15 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Route 53 will also be reduced to one lane from one half mile south of Route J to one half mile south of Drainage Ditch 12 near Holcomb Wednesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 17 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling in the area.

* Route DD

Route DD in Dunklin County will be reduced to one lane while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge repairs.

This section of roadway is located from one half mile west of Route 53 to one half miles west of the St. Francis River Bridge.

Weather permitting the work will be performed Thursday, July 17 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling in the area.

* Interstate 55, Pemiscot County

Interstate 55 in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane with an 18-foot width restriction while MoDOT crews perform concrete repairs in the northbound lane. The northbound Steele Rest Area will be closed during these repairs.

This section of roadway will begin approximately one mile north of Route O and extend for three miles.

Weather permitting, traffic will be reduced to one lane Monday, July 14 at 7:00 a.m. and will reopen Friday, July 18 at approximately 2:00 p.m.

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For additional information, contact the Missouri Department of Transportation's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

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