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Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Just Build It Already!


By Lou Creamer, MoDOT St. Louis Transportation Planner




The DRAFT Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program for 2019-2023
Why don’t they just add another lane?  When are they going to fix my road?   Why don’t they just put a signal at this intersection?  These are all valid questions when it comes to state maintained roads and bridges.

 

As MoDOT employees, we understand that your tax money is valuable.  We don’t take lightly the responsibility of being a steward of the taxpayer dollars you pay and that’s why there is a process in place to make sure we get the best projects for the dollars we have.

 

The process is started after a need is identified either by a local government, MoDOT’s planning committee or the public (yes, we do read and listen to your comments).  The need is then studied, or “scoped” as we call it, to see what the problem is and explore the best possible solution.

 

Plans are developed and costs are analyzed to find the most cost effective way to move forward.  Projects are then reviewed, prioritized and placed in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.  The STIP, as we call it, covers a five year period and is updated every year.  The STIP is then put out for public comment.  In fact, the newest draft STIP is out for comment right now.  We want to know the public’s thoughts and concerns about the projects and needs in their area.

 

Comments are then presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for review before they approve the final STIP at the July 11 meeting. 

 

To comment on the current draft STIP, go to http://www.modot.org/plansandprojects/construction_program/DRAFT_STIP2019-2023/index.htm.  The comment period ends July 6.