KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Budget cuts for the Missouri Department of Transportation will cause some of Missouri’s roads to go without a little TLC.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission slashed MoDOT’s 2013-2017 budget from $1.2 billion to $700 million. The new budget, approved on Wednesday, will allow for resurfacing projects and general maintenance, but will not support new construction projects. However, a few large project were already budgeted in. They include the expansion of Highway 50 East, improvements to Route H, Highway 63 and Stadium Boulevard in Columbia, Mo.
According to KMIZ, MoDOT’s budget cuts come on the heels of declining national and state fuel taxes — taxes that account for 70 percent of MoDOT’s funding.
Central District Engineer Travis Koestner said the state’s hands are tied. Any funding changes would have to come from voters. MoDOT has already cut costs by reducing its number of employees, equipment and facilities. With the changes MoDOT has already made, they’ll save $512 million by 2015.
