General Information
Legislation
The Heroes Way Designation Program passed legislation in 2009, allowing interstate interchanges to be designated for Missouri residents, who were in the armed forces and were killed in action. In 2011, the original law was expanded to include state highway interchanges. In 2015, the law was expanded a second time to include bridges and segments of highway. In 2023, the law was modified to remove the participation fee. The law tasks the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) with administration of the program. The law, in its entirety, may be found using the button below.
Application Process
An applicant* must complete a Heroes Way application, describing the interchange, bridge or segment of highway for which the designation is sought. Documentation regarding the service of the fallen soldier is required to ensure the request meets the requirements of the program and MoDOT has accurate information on the soldier’s name and rank. Supporting documentation is also required to be submitted with the application.
The size of Heroes Way and all other memorial highway designation signs is 6’ x 3'.
To confirm availability of the desired interchange, bridge or segment of highway, applicants are asked to contact MoDOT’s Highway Safety and Traffic Division at (888) 275-6636. MoDOT retains records on all Heroes Way designations and will determine site availability. No interchange, bridge or segment of highway shall receive more than one designation and no more than one Heroes Way designation will be placed for a given fallen soldier.
*An applicant includes any individual related by marriage, adoption, or consanguinity (a blood relative) within the second degree (a grandparent, aunt, uncle, grandchild, etc.) to the member of the United States Armed Forces who was killed in action. The application must include the name of at least one current member of the House or Senate who will sponsor the designation. A legislative member must be willing to sponsor the memorial designation. Once the application is received, MoDOT will submit the Heroes Way Naming Application(s) to the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight. The Committee will review the application(s) during the current legislative session of each year (January through May). If an application is received after session, a special meeting is requested by MoDOT. The Committee sets the date for all special meetings and once scheduled, MoDOT is noti-fied. After final approval of the application, MoDOT will correspond with the family members and provide an approval letter. Any questions pertaining to the regulations of the program, location eligibility or any other aspect of the program should be directed to MoDOT’s Highway Safety and Traffic Division - Memorial Designations at (573) 751-7643.
Sign Location
Heroes Way sign designations only apply to state-maintained highway interchanges, bridges or segments of highway.
Once the designated interchange, bridge or segment of highway has been determined, sign placement will be determined by MoDOT to ensure signs do not interfere with the safe operation of the highway system or conflict with other traffic control devices. A total of two signs will be erected for each Heroes Way designation. Interchange signs are placed in the area between the mainline highway and the exit ramp of the interchange. Bridge or segment of highway signs are placed at the beginning and end of the bridge or segment of highway. All signs remain the property of MoDOT.
Other Important Information
Heroes Way signs will be installed and maintained for 20 years. At 19 years, the family may submit a renewal for the subsequent 20 years. If the family does not opt to renew, the designated signs will be removed at 20 years and that location will become available for another memorial. All dedication ceremonies will be organized and arranged by the family, and should never be held at the sign site or immediately at state right-of-way for the safety of the attendees and the traveling public.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Heroes Way Designation Program?
The Heroes Way Designation Program passed legislation in 2009, allowing interstate interchanges to be designated for Missouri residents, who were in the armed forces and were killed in action. In 2011, the original law was expanded to include state highway interchanges. In 2015, the law was expanded a second time to include bridges and segments of highway. In 2023, the law was modified to remove the participation fee. To learn more, visit MoDOT’s website at: www.modot.org/services/heroes-waydesignation-program. The law tasks MoDOT with administration of the program. The law, in its entirety, may be found at: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=227.297&bid=54092&hl=.
Where can Heroes Way signs be installed?
Heroes Way sign designations only apply to state-maintained highway interchanges, bridges or segments of highway. Sign
location and placement will be determined by MoDOT to ensure signs do not interfere with the safe operation of the highway system or conflict with other traffic control devices.
How many signs will be installed for a Heroes Way designation?
A total of two signs will be installed for each Heroes Way designation. Signs for an interchange designation are placed in the area between the mainline highway and the exit ramp of the interchange. Signs for a bridge or segment of highway designation are placed at the beginning and end of the bridge or segment of highway. All signs remain the property of MoDOT.
Can an interchange, bridge or segment of highway be designated after more than once?
No interchange, bridge or segment of highway may be named or designated after more than once, per the limits of the state statute; including existing memorials designated on Missouri’s state highway system under MoDOT’s Memorial Highway and Bridge Naming Program and the Heroes Way Designation Program. An interchange, bridge or segment of highway may only receive one designation.
Who can apply for a Heroes Way designation?
Only family members of a Missouri fallen soldier may apply for and make decisions pertaining to a Heroes Way Naming
Application. To protect the interests of the family, MoDOT corresponds with the family member who submitted and signed the application.
Who do I contact to find out if the interchange, bridge or segment of highway, I have chosen is available for designation?
To find out if the interchange, bridge or segment of highway is available for designation, contact MoDOT’s Highway Safety and Traffic Division - Memorial Designations at (573) 751-7643 prior to completing the application.
Why are family members required to have a legislative sponsor supporting the application?
All memorial designation programs in the state of Missouri are based on state law. The law requires every memorial application to have a member of the Missouri General Assembly who will sponsor the designation. The sponsor should serve the community the memorial designation is located. To find your local member of the Missouri General Assembly, visit MoDOT's website at: www.modot.org/heroes-way-designation-program.
What documentation is needed to show proof my soldier was a Missouri resident and a member of the U.S. Armed Forces killed in action?
Acceptable proof can be a U.S. Armed Forces Casualty Report, statement from the Missouri Veterans Commission or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair, or any official military document certifying such facts. Copies of these documents is acceptable. This documentation proof is required with the application.
Where do I submit a Heroes Way Naming Application?
All applications for a Heroes Way designation are to be submitted to MoDOT’s Highway Safety and Traffic Division. Applications can be downloaded from MoDOT’s website at: www.modot.org/heroes-way-designation-program. Submit Applications to:
MoDOT
Highway Safety and Traffic Division
Memorial Designations
P.O. Box 270
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270
Who decides if a Heroes Way designation is approved?
MoDOT’s Highway Safety and Traffic Division verifies the availability of the interchange, bridge or segment of highway and ensures all required information has been received. The information is then submitted to the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight for review and approval consideration for these applications.
What is the expected timeframe for an application to be approved once submitted to the Committee?
The Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight reviews the applications during the current legislative session of each year (January through May). If an application is received after session, a special meeting is requested by MoDOT. The Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight sets the date for all special meetings and once scheduled, MoDOT is notified. MoDOT has no authority on when the Committee meets.
How much does it cost to participate in the Heroes Way Designation Program?
There is no participation fee required.
How long do Heroes Way signs stay in place?
Heroes Way signs will be installed and maintained for 20 years with no cost to the family. At 19 years, the family may submit a renewal for the subsequent 20 years. If the family does not opt to renew, the designated signs will be removed at 20 years and that location will become available for another memorial.
What size are the Heroes Way signs?
The size of Heroes Way and all other memorial highway designation signs is 6’ x 3’.
How long does it take for the Heroes Way signs to be installed?
Once the approved application is received by MoDOT, it can take up to five to seven weeks for sign delivery and are installed within 120 days from the date MoDOT receives the signs from the manufacture, weather permitting. The signs are be installed at the interchange, bridge or segment of highway. MoDOT does not allow public or family attendance during the sign installation for the safety of those individuals, our personnel and the traveling public.
How will I know when the signs have been installed?
After the Heroes Way signs are installed MoDOT will electronically provide a photo image of the installed signs and the date the signs were installed to the family member's email on the application, if provided.
What does requesting a Memorial Sign PDF Proof allow?
This is optional and if requested, a no-cost PDF file of the soldier's Heroes Way sign is provided to the family upon their electronic acceptance to MoDOT's PDF terms and conditions declaration. This allows the family member to take the PDF to any local sign, banner or printing companies to have sign replicas made for ceremonies or personal use.