Public invited to discuss priority unfunded transportation needs

Missouri’s transportation system is a tremendous asset, including 33,808 miles of roads and 10,424 bridges, making it one of the largest for any state in the nation. MoDOT, working with its regional planning partners, has outlined a draft High Priority Unfunded Needs listing, which identifies $1.1 billion in annual unfunded transportation needs for the system. The list was created to guide the development of needs into funded projects as state and federal transportation funds become available in future years.

The public is invited to review the list and provide feedback on the order of priorities that could be funded in the future.

A meeting to discuss the draft updated High Priority Unfunded Needs list for transportation in Southwest Missouri will be held in Joplin on August 3, from 10 a.m. – 12 Noon at the Joplin Public Safety Training Facility (PSTF) Room 150,  5102 Swede Lane, Webb City 64870.

There will be a second meeting in Springfield on August 10, from 10 am – 12 Noon at Springfield Library Center Community Rooms A & B, 4653 South Campbell Avenue, Springfield 65810. The presentation materials and a comment form are also available online at https://www.modot.org/unfundedneeds.

MoDOT staff have worked with metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning commissions throughout the state to develop a list of high priority unfunded road and bridge needs. The draft lists include $4.7 billion in road and bridge needs in three tiers.

* Tier one includes $552 million and includes needs that could be accomplished in the time of the current five-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as federal and state funding levels increase. These needs have good estimates.

* Tier two is worth $2.1 billion and includes needs beyond the current STIP timeframe with broader estimates.

* Tier three includes $2 billion of needs also beyond the current STIP timeframe with broader estimates. In addition, MoDOT staff worked with planning partners to identify $1 billion in multimodal needs.

The draft document and comment forms will be available online through August 31, 2023, at https://www.modot.org/unfundedneeds.

For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.