MODOT asks for 45 new positions

A house transportation committee this morning wasn’t too keen on adding $1.5 million dollars to the existing budget of the Missouri Department of Transportation to hire more administrators. Director Henry Hungerbeeler says he needs 45 new positions, including 9 new people devoted strictly to public affairs. The governor has not included the new staff for MODOT as part of his recommended budget. Hungerbeeler says, with all the new bond money MODOT is supposed to use to build new roads, he needs the added help to make sure the work is done properly.