Missouri Department of Transportation Archives

Former state legislator Kolkmeyer is focused on protecting Missouri ratepayers at Public Service Commission (AUDIO)

April 5, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A former state lawmaker who’s been appointed to the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) is grateful for the appointment, and is pledging to focus on protecting Missouri utility ratepayers.

Former State Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer (R-Odessa) speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on March 18, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Former State Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer (R-Odessa) served eight years in the House, from 2013 to 2020. He was forced out by term limits. Mr. Kolkmeyer is also the former Missouri Propane Gas Association president, and served as Wellington-Napoleon’s fire chief from 1982-2002.

“Three weeks ago, I was extremely honored when Governor Mike Parson called and asked me to serve on the Missouri Public Service Commission, as a commissioner. I was just extremely honored,” Kolkmeyer says.

The PSC regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas, steam, water and sewer utilities in Missouri. The PSC also has some jurisdiction over telecommunication providers in Missouri.

“Honestly, I don’t know that I have any big priorities other than just protecting the citizens of Missouri with the utilities. That’s really my one and only goal and focus,” says Kolkmeyer.

Kolkmeyer is a former chairman of both the Missouri House Transportation Committee and the House Administration and Accounts Committee. He tells Missourinet that he learned a lot about utilities, while serving in the House.

“I served on (the Missouri House) Transportation (Committee) all eight years and we dealt with a few of these issues. Also, issues on the (House) floor, but I also served two years on the Utilities Committee in the House,” Kolkmeyer says.

He was a leader on transportation issues in the House, and pushed unsuccessfully for a ten-cent gasoline tax increase in November 2018. Proposition D, which was rejected by voters, would have provided the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) with additional funding. Missouri’s 17-cent per gallon gas tax has remained the same since 1996.

Kolkmeyer, who represented Jackson, Johnson and Lafayette counties, was re-elected to his fourth and final House term in 2018. He received about 69 percent of the vote to defeat Democratic challenger Connie Simmons.

Meantime, former Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) is praising the appointment, tweeting that he’s proud and excited for Kolkmeyer. Speaker Haahr describes Kolkmeyer as one of the best in the Missouri Legislature.

His appointment requires Missouri Senate confirmation, and he will go before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee. A hearing date hasn’t been set yet.

State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), who represents Lafayette County, tells Missourinet that he looks forward to sponsoring Kolkmeyer’s nomination.

Click here to listen to the full two-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and former State Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer (R-Odessa), which was recorded on April 2, 2021:

Nearly 1,000 people died in Missouri traffic crashes in 2020

February 18, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The State Highway Patrol reports 989 lives were lost in Missouri traffic crashes in 2020, up from 881 in 2019. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says the preliminary reporting indicates a 12% increase compared to 2019.

“Nearly every fatal crash that occurs is preventable,” says Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Information and Education Director, Cpt. John Hotz. “Over 90% of these crashes were the result of someone simply making a poor decision, primarily: driving too fast, driving distracted or driving impaired. Many of those killed were not wearing a seat belt.”

MoDOT says despite traffic volumes in the state being significantly lower for most of 2020, Missouri experienced its largest number of traffic fatalities since 2007. Notable increases were in unbuckled and speed related deaths, with both experiencing about a 25% jump from the previous year.

MoDOT says in 2020, 67% of drivers and passengers killed in car crashes were unbuckled and preliminary numbers indicate 389 people were killed in crashes involving excessive speed or driving too fast for conditions. In addition, there were 126 pedestrians killed in 2020 –the largest number of pedestrian deaths in Missouri’s recorded history.

“The pandemic reminded us even if a large portion of vehicles are removed from the roadways, poor driving behaviors still have significant and often deadly consequences.” says MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood. “We continue to work diligently in achieving the ultimate goal – zero traffic fatalities in Missouri. This year, we’re excited to introduce Missouri’s new strategic plan, a tool we hope will help us eventually reach that goal.”

Missouri has rolled out a new highway safety plan, called Show-Me Zero, Driving Missouri Toward Safer Roads. The effort includes four key focus areas to help make a difference: occupant protection (seat belts, car seats and helmets), distracted driving, speed and aggressive driving, and impaired driving.

It includes strategies for families and individuals as well as groups such as schools, businesses, local public agencies, law enforcement, health organizations, and statewide officials.

The plan can be viewed in its entirety at www.savemolives.com or by calling MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT.

Friday and Monday are both Missouri state holidays

February 11, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Many state employees will be off on both Friday and Monday for Lincoln and Washington’s Birthday. Lincoln’s Birthday is Friday, while Washington’s Birthday is Monday.

Both are Missouri state and county holidays, and Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday as well. County courthouses will be closed both days.

Most state employees will have both days off, with the exception of emergency services such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Corrections officers will be working in state prisons, and crews from the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will likely be treating roads.

There are 13 state holidays this year, because New Year’s Day will be celebrated on December 31 this year. That’s a Friday.

Half-inch of ice is possible in southeast Missouri; MoDOT urges residents to stay home (AUDIO)

February 10, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Freezing rain has been causing numerous crashes across southeast Missouri on Wednesday. Much of the region remains under an ice storm warning. Poplar Bluff, Kennett, Malden and Caruthersville are just some of the towns in the warning area.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Paducah is receiving numerous reports of crashes along I-55 in southeast Missouri and in the Poplar Bluff area (February 10, 2021 graphic courtesy of NWS Paducah Twitter)

Up to a half-inch of ice is possible in parts of southeast Missouri, through tomorrow morning. National Weather Service (NWS) Paducah meteorologist Derrick Snyder is urging southeast Missourians to stay home.

“Now we’ve had another round of moderate to heavy sleet that has fallen on top of that freezing rain that’s really caused a mess on the roads, especially the untreated side roads and parking lots, sidewalks,” Snyder says.

State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews are working continuous 12-hour shifts throughout southeast Missouri. MoDOT emphasizes that chemicals used to treat the roads start to lose their effectiveness below 25 degrees. They’re urging you to have a full tank of gas.

“As we go through tonight with the freezing rain continuing, there is the potential for some scattered power outages, especially in the Missouri Bootheel area and then further north to around Poplar Bluff,” says Snyder.

Snyder also says there have been numerous reports of crashes in the Poplar Bluff area and along I-55, and motorists are also reporting black ice on bridges and overpasses.

Missourinet Cape Girardeau television partner KFVS reports that Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E in Sikeston has received 137 calls for service, which includes 68 crashes and 49 stranded motorists due to ice.

Missourinet Farmington affiliate KREI reports almost all schools in their southeast Missouri listening area have canceled classes. Our Kennett affiliate KBOA reports the same, throughout the Bootheel.

Much of the ice storm warning area was also hit by the deadly January 2009 ice storm, which brought three days of ice, sleet and snow to the region.

The Delta Center in Portageville notes the 2009 storm left about 100,000 people without power from Poplar Bluff to the Bootheel to southern Illinois. More than 100 shelters were opened across southeast Missouri, because of that ice storm.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Paducah meteorologist Derrick Snyder, which was recorded on February 10, 2021:

Power outages are likely in southeast Missouri, where ice storm warning takes effect at midnight

February 9, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Far southeast Missouri will be under an ice storm warning starting at midnight Wednesday. That warning goes through 6 on Thursday evening.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Paducah has issued an ice storm warning for far southeast Missouri (February 9, 2021 graphic courtesy of NWS Paducah Twitter)

Poplar Bluff, Dexter, Kennett, Caruthersville and Malden are all in the ice storm warning area. That includes heavily-traveled I-55. The Bootheel could receive more than one-third of an inch of ice. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Paducah describes this as a significant ice storm, adding that ice accumulations will likely cause scattered power outages in far southeast Missouri.

Much of the ice storm warning area was also hit by the deadly January 2009 ice storm, which brought three days of ice, sleet and snow to the region.

As for Wednesday’s storm, Perryville and Marble Hill will see some ice. Those two towns are not in the warning area.

The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is urging motorists across Missouri to get a full tank of gas tonight, noting that light snow and freezing precipitation will impact much of the state on Wednesday and Thursday. The winter storm will impact both the morning and evening commute on both days, for a number of areas.

MoDOT is urging you to prepare to double or triple your average commute time, once the precipitation starts falling. They also urge you to have extra blankets and gloves in your vehicle, as well as water and snacks. Your cellphone should also be fully charged.

In mid-Missouri, Columbia and Jefferson City will see snow again on Wednesday. Columbia could see up to three inches, while the Capital City is expected to see one to two inches.

The weather will get even colder this week. High temperatures across northern and central Missouri on Saturday and Sunday will be between zero and ten degrees. NWS Pleasant Hill meteorologist Emily Klaus tells Missourinet Columbia, Jefferson City, Moberly, Kansas City and Marshall will be impacted by the frigid temperatures.

Missouri bill would boost gas tax but offer rebates to drivers

February 9, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

A proposed fuel tax increase could come with a rebate option for drivers who fill up in Missouri. State Representative Becky Ruth, R-Festus, has filed legislation that would increase the fee two cents annually for five years to help to pay for Missouri’s underfunded highway system. She tells Missourinet if drivers turn in their receipts to the Department of Revenue, they could ask for a rebate.

State Rep. Becky Ruth, R-Festus, speaks at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on January 30, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“This bill is unique in the fact that while it raises the gas tax, also I think gives a little bit of balance and it actually makes it a voluntary tax instead of a mandatory tax,” she says. “This is critically needed for our state to find a type of sustainable funding source. I think this is just one tool in the toolbox to help us continue to maintain and fund our roads and bridges.”

The state has not increased its gas tax of 17 cents per gallon since 1996. Missouri has the seventh largest highway system in America, but Ruth says we rank 48th in the nation in transportation funding.

“We’ve reached a crisis level here in Missouri where we have between $8 billion and $10 billion in unfunded need for our transportation system,” Ruth says.

Ruth, who has served as the House Transportation Committee chairwoman for the past three years, says South Carolina passed a similar model in 2017.

“In South Carolina when they did this, and they did 12 cents over six years, they gave back a little over $3 million and they took in for their roads fund a little over 500 million,” says Ruth.

Several efforts have been made over the years to boost the fee, but voters and the state Legislature have both voted down the endeavors. Ruth says South Carolina ran into similar opposition for many years.

Under the bill, rebates could be requested for up to two vehicles per calendar year. Ruth’s proposal would not limit the weight and size of the vehicle allowed for a rebate. She says fuels included in the plan would be all those listed in state statute. There would not be a cap on how much the state would dole out in rebates. In order to not violate the interstate commerce clause, Ruth says the rebate must be open to Missouri residents and those from out-of-state.

Another element would require the Missouri Department of Transportation to show on its website the money coming in from the tax and the money going out.

The proposal, House Bill 1044, does not require a vote of the people.

645 MoDOT employees have had COVID-19; pandemic is major theme in Missouri transportation department’s annual report

February 9, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s transportation director says more than 600 of his employees have had the coronavirus. State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) director Patrick McKenna testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight on Monday in Jefferson City, delivering MoDOT’s annual report.

A truck driver travels on I-70 near Mineola Hill in east-central Missouri’s Montgomery County in 2019 (file photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Transportation)

MoDOT has about 5,100 employees. McKenna testifies they’ve been able to slow the rate of transmission in the past 45 to 60 days. MoDOT has implemented the boxed-in strategy. If any one person tests positive in a MoDOT facility, McKenna says they test anyone who’s been in that facility in seven days.

The pandemic is a major theme in the agency’s annual report, which is nine pages. MoDOT notes actual state highway-user revenue for motor fuel, motor vehicle sales and motor vehicle and driver’s licenses was about $38 million less than projected for fiscal year 2020.

McKenna testifies the number one objective during the pandemic was the keep the transportation network open, and that has happened.

Director McKenna also testified about several key projects across the state. He announced that construction will begin in the spring of 2022 to replace the aging Buck O’Neil bridge in Kansas City, which connects the Northland to downtown. McKenna says Massman-Clarkson has been selected for the design-build contract.

“This past week, the (Missouri Highways and Transportation) commission actually just approved the design team and construction team for the Buck O’Neil bridge, a major initiative for Kansas City,” says McKenna.

This is a $220 million project, and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, helped to secure $25 million in federal funding. Graves is the ranking Republican on the U.S. House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill.

The current Buck O’Neil bridge opened in 1956, and MoDOT says about 50-thousand vehicles use it daily.

Director McKenna is also touting the massive I-270 north project. The $278 million project is the agency’s largest single project in the past decade. It runs along I-270 from I-70 all the way to Riverview Drive. It involves replacing multiple interchanges and updating an outer road system.

Safety was also a key theme of Director McKenna’s presentation to lawmakers.

Despite lower traffic volumes due to the COVID pandemic, he says Missouri saw one of its highest levels of traffic fatalities in recent memory in 2020. McKenna, Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri State Highway Patrol raised concerns about the trends several times last year.

Director McKenna says speeding and distracted driving are factors.

“We’ve closed out the year and it looks like there will have been 986 lost souls on Missouri’s highways this past year. That’s well up, we were below 900 last year,” McKenna says. He also notes 66 percent of the vehicle occupants killed were unbuckled.

McKenna also says Missouri also saw a record number of pedestrian deaths in 2020.

The report is also critical of a new law that allows Missourians to ride motorcycles without helmets. The report says 40 to 45 people will die each year, because of this action.

The law, which took effect in August, says that qualified operators 26 or older can operate a motorcycle or a motortricycle without a helmet, if they’re covered by a health insurance policy or other form of insurance that would provide them with medical benefits for injuries as a result of a crash.

Freezing drizzle continues near I-44 corridor; wind chill advisory takes effect at midnight across northern Missouri

February 8, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Up to one-tenth of an inch of ice is possible across the Southern Missouri Ozarks through Monday night. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield’s winter weather advisory remains in effect for the entire Ozarks region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield warns up to one-tenth of an inch of ice is possible across the Ozarks through Monday night (February 8, 2021 graphic courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter)

Freezing drizzle continues to impact much of the I-44 corridor, including Joplin, Springfield, Marshfield and Lebanon.

Meantime, much of northwest and far northern Missouri will be under a wind chill advisory through Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued the advisory, which takes effect at midnight and includes St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Bethany and Kirksville. Wind chills will make it feel like 15 below zero. The wind child advisory expires Tuesday morning at 9.

Crews from the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) have been working around the clock statewide, to clear roads of snow and ice. Those efforts are being impacted by the bitterly cold temperatures.

In Jefferson City, roads quickly deteriorated on Monday evening. Snow and frozen precipitation has been falling, and there’s also been some black ice. Missouri Boulevard, which is the Capital City’s busiest road, is snow-covered.

The Jefferson City Public Schools (JCPS) announced Monday evening there is no school on Tuesday due to the inclement weather and potentially unsafe travel conditions.

The winter weather has also impacted the ability of some Missouri lawmakers to travel to Jefferson City for session. House Education Committee Chairwoman Rep. Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, couldn’t make it to Jefferson City from St. Joseph, where snow and freezing rain had been falling. Committee vice chairman John Black, R-Marshfield, ran Monday’s hearing about tuition-related legislation from State Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs.

Across the Capitol building in the Missouri Senate, President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, tells Missourinet that several state senators were delayed in getting to Jefferson City, due to the winter weather. They were all able to get in, by late afternoon.

To raise or not to raise Missouri’s gas tax?

February 2, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Drivers could pay a little more when they go to the gas pump in Missouri. State Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, is offering a bill that would ask voters to increase the fee by two cents per year over a five-year period.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz speaks to Capitol reporters on November 8, 2018 (photo courtesy of Harrison Sweazea at Senate Communications)

During a public hearing today about the plan, Schatz says an increase is necessary to pay for repairs to the state’s roads and bridges – and for the state’s economy.

“Making Missouri an attractive place for businesses to want to come and locate, without infrastructure, we are simply not going to be able to compete,” says Schatz.

Schatz says Missouri has the sixth largest road system in America, yet the state is ranked 48th in road funding.

Missouri has not raised the tax since 1996. The current rate is 17 cents per gallon for a gallon of unleaded fuel – one of the lowest in the nation.

Schatz says changes could be made to the bill to get it past the finish line. He cited a model used in South Carolina that gives a rebate to consumers.

Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna supports the measure.

“We support this bill primarily with information that we are providing here for the things we are not getting done as a state in terms of the infrastructure. Our citizen’s guide to transportation outlines essentially $8 to $10 billion of unfunded needs for our roads and bridges in this state,” says McKenna.

Randy Scherr, executive director of the Missouri Concrete Association, says ready-mix concrete was about $58 a yard in 1996. It took 341 gallons of fuel to pay for that yard of concrete. With vehicles averaging 19 miles per gallon, it took 6,500 miles to pay for that one yard.

“A year ago, the price of concrete was about $130 a yard, taking 753 gallons of fuel to pay for that yard. So, you can see what we have lost in our buying power and how far we are behind in funding our highway system,” says Scherr.

Some individuals testified in support of also boosting the fee for other motor fuels that exist today or in the future.

Tom Crawford with the Missouri Trucking Association spoke in support of the bill.

“For those of you in the Agriculture Committee hearing yesterday talking about biodiesel, one of the big discussions was where fuel is going. Fuel is going through Illinois,” says Crawford. “So, whatever we can do in Missouri to help create a situation where we are keeping some of those fuels and fuel purchases here, we would be in support of.”

No one testified against the plan.

The Missouri Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee has not yet voted on the proposal. To view Senate Bill 262, click here.

MoDOT expects influx of construction workers in central Missouri’s Rocheport, for I-70 bridge project

January 27, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

State transportation officials say construction of the $240 million project to replace the aging I-70 bridge in mid-Missouri’s Rocheport will begin late this year.

The current I-70 bridge in mid-Missouri’s Rocheport was built in 1960. It’s in poor condition, according to MoDOT (2020 file photo courtesy of MoDOT’s Lissie Wade)

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) deputy project director Derek Lepper and other officials answered about 90 minutes of questions from residents, during a virtual open house Tuesday evening. The current bridge will be used, while the new one is built.

“Well our plan is to try and keep two lanes open in each direction (on current bridge) for the majority of the project and just utilize like single lane closures during non-peak hours to try and alleviate any congestion that we can,” Lepper says.

The new bridge is expected to be completed by December 2024. MoDOT describes the current bridge as “the lynchpin of America,” carrying more than 12 million vehicles annually. That includes 3.6 million trucks.

The current bridge, which was built in 1960, is listed in poor condition by MoDOT. The agency says the bridge connects a majority of the nation. Within 48 hours, trucks carrying goods to all 48 lower states will have crossed the Rocheport bridge, according to MoDOT.

The agency is also thanking leaders in several mid-Missouri communities for contributing to the massive Rocheport project. MoDOT Rocheport bridge project director Brandi Baldwin says local support is key.

“$4.2 million has been provided by Boone County, Cooper County, Boonville and Columbia making up those local monies,” says Baldwin. “And we would like to thank them today for helping us make this project a reality.”

Baldwin also announced during the virtual town hall that the current bridge will be demolished, once the new bridge opens.

She also says the new bridge will be required to carry six lanes of traffic, to accommodate future I-70 growth. She also says the project will bring an influx of construction workers to Rocheport, which is 16 miles west of Columbia.

Missouri has received an $81 million federal grant to replace the bridge. The federal grant was also tied-in to a related project to build 1.2 miles of truck climbing lanes on I-70 at east-central Missouri’s Mineola Hill. The Mineola Hill project, which is happening in Montgomery County, continues to progress. There are cranes on-site, along with equipment.