Missouri’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) was approved this week by the state’s Highways and Transportation Commission for 2019 through 2023.
The program includes 1,319 projects largely dedicated to maintaining the status quo of the country’s seventh largest state highway system. Its release follows public comment and review throughout June and is based on a mix of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) long-range transportation plan, financial forecasts, asset management plans and local project needs.
“At current funding levels, we are able to maintain the system in the condition it is in today,” Patrick McKenna, MoDOT director, said. “But if we want to improve the system, improve safety, and deliver projects that enable economic development and create jobs, it will require additional investment.”
In all, an annual construction program will be allotted $900 million — a $50 million increase over the previous year. Cost-share funding is also set for an increase from 2021 and beyond, meant to help support state highway and bridge projects. Unfortunately, MoDOT’s estimates still put these gains well behind what the system needs as it is estimated that an additional $825 million per year would be needed to address high-priority transportation needs.