MoDOT releases plan for use of Amendment 3 funds

MoDOT unveiled the Smooth Roads Initiative, a plan to provide 2,200 miles of smoother pavement, brighter road markings and other safety improvements in three years. The initiative is the first part of a three-part plan to use Amendment 3 funds to improve the state's highway system. [See maps.] . . .

While a small percentage, the 2,200 highway miles account for 60 percent of all traffic on the state system. About 86 percent of Missouri's population lives within 10 miles of one of the selected roads. “We'll focus first on the highways that benefit the most people,” Rahn said.

Improvements will include better pavement for a smoother drive, as well as brighter stripes and signs, reflective pavement markers separating lanes, improved shoulders with rumble strips, and safer guardrails. “Time and time again, our customers tell us the most important thing we can do is make our roads smoother and easier to drive,” said MoDOT Chief Engineer Kevin Keith. “That's the focus of this program.”

MoDOT will invest about $400 million in this initiative, which will be financed by [short-term] bonds backed by Amendment 3 revenue.

In addition to the Smooth Roads Initiative, MoDOT will also accelerate projects already planned in its five-year construction program, as well as determine new major projects that can be completed. Specifics will be announced in coming months, after the department has worked with local officials to determine the state's highest priorities. . . .