Transportation Chief Says He’s Listening

A special legislative committee hears from the head of the State Transportation Department, who says he’s listening to Missourians. State Transportation Director Henry Hungerbeeler tells members of the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight people reiterated their expectations of MODOT during the numerous public hearings it held across the state. He says what he heard from citizens didn’t surprise him, things such as make repair and maintenance a higher priority than new construction, improve efficiency, meet commitments and be more accountable. Hungerbeeler assures the members MODOT is working on all of them, especially on the condition of the state’s roads and bridges, which he knows doesn’t meet expectations. And Hungerbeeler notes the Transportation Commission has thrown out the rural/urban distribution split in favor of a number of objective factors, which he says will lead to a more fair distribution of highway dollars.