Public Invited to Discuss High-Priority Unfunded Transportation Needs

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT - The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is inviting the public to join the discussion on high-priority unfunded transportation needs at an upcoming meeting.

MoDOT, working with its regional planning partners, has outlined a draft High-Priority Unfunded Needs listing, which identifies $1.3 billion in annual unfunded transportation needs for the system. The list was created to guide the development of needs into funded projects as state and federal transportation funds become available in future years.

The public is invited to review the list and provide feedback on the order of priorities and additional needs that could be funded in the future. A meeting to discuss the draft High-Priority Unfunded Needs list in Southwest Missouri will be held during August at the following times and dates:

August 19, 4-5:30 pm; Joplin Public Library, 1901 East 20th Street, Joplin 64804.

August 26, 4-5:30 pm; Library Center, 4653 South Campbell, Springfield 65810.

August 27, 4-5:30 pm; State Fair Community College, 1701 N. 2nd St., Clinton 64735.

The presentation materials and a comment form are also available online at: https://www.modot.org/high-priority-unfunded-needs-public-meetings.

MoDOT staff worked with regional planning partners throughout the state to develop a list of $4.7 billion of high priority unfunded road and bridge needs, divided into three tiers. Tier one includes $541 million of needs that could be accomplished in the time of the current five-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as federal and state funding is available. These needs have more refined estimates. Tier two outlines $2.1 billion of needs and includes those beyond the current STIP timeframe with broader estimates. Tier three includes $2.1 billion of needs, also beyond the current STIP timeframe with broader estimates. In addition, the list identifies $1 billion in multimodal needs. This year's list also identifies $1.1 billion in statewide maintenance and operations needs. Working in conjunction with statewide planning partners, MoDOT has moved 20 needs worth $186 million from the unfunded needs list to the FY 2027-2031 STIP, which was finalized in July.

MoDOT's High-Priority Unfunded Needs Dashboard allows users to filter and see the needs broken down by tier, district, legislative district or county. The dashboard is available on MoDOT's external website.

The draft document and comment forms will be available online through Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at https://www.modot.org/unfundedneeds. For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest. To receive the latest news and text alerts, sign up for e-updates.

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