Transportation Funding Crisis continued from page 1


“We are facing a transportation funding crisis in Missouri,” MoDOT Director Kevin Keith said. “Over the past year, we have worked hard to reduce the size of our workforce and cut costs, but it isn’t enough. We must take further action to become the right size to serve our customers given the severe reduction in funding for transportation.”


The department’s plan includes reducing the number of its district offices, which administer the state’s transportation program at the regional level, from 10 to seven. MoDOT’s district boundaries have been virtually unchanged since 1922, when many state roads were still gravel and MoDOT used mules and wagons.


MoDOT closed its district offices in Macon, Joplin and Wil- low Springs, but will continue to maintain area offices in those cities and have a strong presence in every county in the state, Keith said. A map showing the new district boundaries can be found at www.modot.org.


This consolidation, coupled with the combination of sever- al Central Office divisions, will enable the department to tighten its belt. MoDOT is in the process of making staff- ing changes that will place the right people in the right positions. Staff reduction will occur through attrition and transfers, and, as a last step, layoffs.


“We don’t like having to do this, and we aren’t propos- ing these changes lightly, because we know they will be personal and painful for many people, but heading in this direction is the right thing to do.


It’s what we have to do


to survive,” Keith said. “Without these actions, Missouri would lose millions of dollars in federal funds for trans- portation.”


More information can be found at www.modot.org.


Highway 179 Near MCS Office Closed Mid-August to Early November


If you plan to visit MoDOT Motor Carrier Services this fall, please be aware that Missouri Route 179 will close between Route C and West Edgewood Drive for several weeks between August and November as a new under- pass is constructed near our office.


The closure will affect those who would normally take US 54 to Mo 179. Folks coming to Jefferson City from the south should take US 54 East to the Ellis Boulevard exit. Turn left onto Ellis Boulevard and continue as the name changes to Southwest Boulevard. After passing a medical complex, turn left at the stoplight onto Stadium Boule- vard. Turn left at the second stoplight onto West Edge- wood and another quick left will bring you to Creek Trail Drive.


If you choose to bring your commercial vehicle, you can avoid the residential streets by continuing on US 54 to US 50 West to Mo 179 South to West Edgewood (turn left) and take a right at Creek Trail Drive.


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