Sometimes it is hard to see progress, other times it is obvious. I am happy to report there are numerous changes going on right in front of our eyes here in Texas County. Over the past year, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has been busy working to make our roads safer and our commutes easier.
In Texas County alone, MoDOT has been working to improve more than 60 miles of paved roadways and add more than $885,000 in guardrails across the county.
Over the next several years, MoDOT officials plan to do more work in our county. The Missouri Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) shows MoDOT is planning to spend more than $16 million through the year 2022 in Texas County alone. Those funds are slated to include more than 100 miles of road improvement and the construction of one new bridge.
While funding for MoDOT has been a hot-button issue across the state for several years, the crews at MoDOT are continuing to do their best to maintain and improve our state’s infrastructure. There are more than 34,000 miles of road and 10,400 bridges in our state meaning these dedicated workers are always working to ensure our safety. Their work does not go unnoticed, especially not in Texas County where it is obvious they are working tirelessly to ensure our safety.
As the road work continues, please be sure to follow work zone signs and warnings. It is imperative that drivers are attentive, especially in work zones. MoDOT employees put their lives on the line to do the needed repairs, it is our job to make sure our driving does not put anyone in harms way.
I would like to thank Mike Pace, the chair of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, for his dedicated efforts to ensure the commission understands the transportation needs of the citizens in the 33rd District.
Mike Cunningham is a Republican member of the Missouri State Senate, representing District 33. Contact him at 573-751-1882 or www.senate.mo.gov/cunningham
