Aug. 23, 2011
For immediate release

For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993

TAC focuses on MoDOT’s five-year restructuring plan
Juranas reviews impact for Central District  

ST. JAMES—Missouri Department of Transportation Central District Engineer Kirk Juranas updated the Meramec Region Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) on MoDOT’s restructuring plan and its impact on the Central District.

Juranas, who replaced MoDOT District Engineer Roger Schwartze, presented to the TAC at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) on Aug. 11.

First, Juranas reminded the committee MoDOT’s Bolder Five-Year Plan cut the organization’s budget from $1.2 billion to $600 million in construction funds because of a decrease in state revenue and receiving less federal funding.

The plan’s reduction in operating costs includes reducing MoDOT’s workforce by 20 percent, or 1,200 employees, Juranas said.

Districts have also been reduced from 10 to seven, designating all eight of MRPC’s counties in the new Central District, which now covers 18 counties instead of 13. More than 100 maintenance buildings have been consolidated, Juranas added.

MoDOT has a goal of completing the plan by the first quarter of 2013. The $512 million saved will help support road and bridge maintenance for the next five or six years, but does not leave much room for improvement projects, Juranas said.

“These changes allow us to do what our mission is–to take care of our roads and bridges,” Juranas said.

However, the future is uncertain for funding, Juranas noted.

“In 2017, we still won’t be able to match federal funds if something doesn’t change,” Juranas said.

He noted approximately $35 million a year is spent on cost-share projects with cities and counties for improvement projects.

“Maybe we can share some costs together to be able to do more,” Juranas said. “It’s going to be a challenge–that $600 million–because usually about $650 million is what we need to keep up with what we have.”

Juranas also introduced MoDOT employees Travis Koestner, assistant district engineer, and Preston Kramer, area engineer at the Rolla Project Office, to the TAC.

In other business, the TAC:

• Updated its bylaws to reflect MoDOT’s restructuring and the need for a chairperson, vice-chairperson and a secretary. The bylaws previously required two co-chairpersons from two districts and a secretary. Election of officers will be held at the Oct. 13 meeting.

• Discussed a concerned citizen’s suggestion of a safety need for advanced warning, or possible guardrail, on a one-lane bridge’s approaches heading north and south over the Bourbeuse River. The bridge is located between Bland and St. James on Route B in Phelps County. MoDOT recently installed reflectors on the bridge rail, and the bridge’s condition has since been inspected. Michael Dusenberg of MoDOT said the bridge should be placed on the needs list. The concerned individual has offered to co-share the cost of guardrail and is willing to meet with MoDOT to further discuss the issue. MRPC will help arrange that meeting.

• Heard a report from Executive Director Bonnie Prigge noting MoDOT’s Blueprint Coalition would like to continue as a Regional Planning Commission (RPC) subcommittee and will include all eight counties. Previously MoDOT District 9 had a north subcommittee that included Crawford, Dent, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties.

Persons needing more information on MRPC’s Transportation Advisory Committee may contact MRPC at (573) 265-2993. The group will meet again at 4 p.m. Oct. 13, 2011. Meetings are open to the public.

Kirk Juranas, MoDOT Central District engineer, discussed MoDOT’s goal to maintain the state’s current road systems despite major cuts in funding.

Return to MRPC Welcome Page

Return to MRPC Press Release Archive