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Missouri

Processes For Consultation And Cooperation With Local Officials In Non-Metropolitan Areas

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) conducts transportation planning and programming throughout the state under the guidance of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. Since the mid-1990s, MoDOT has contracted with the state's 19 regional planning organizations (RPOs) to undertake formal transportation planning. The RPOs cover most of the state, including both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. MoDOT maintains almost all highways, including over 17,000 miles of rural minor collectors. MoDOT develops a 20-year long-range plan and a 5-year STIP.

MoDOT contracts with the RPOs to perform such transportation planning activities as needs identification and prioritization, public education and involvement, mapping, traffic counting, assistance in Enhancement Program applications, land use plan development, planning consultation, and professional development. Rural elected officials are members of the transportation advisory committees and boards of directors of their RPOs. The public transit and human service agencies also participate in the regional planning process through committee and board memberships. Areas that do not belong to an RPO do not receive information from a formal chain of communication.

The RPOs meet regularly with local governments to determine needs and prioritize projects. Each RPO determines the form these meetings will take. This information is forwarded to MoDOT district planners. Counties also submit their 5-year transportation plans to MoDOT. MoDOT updates the 5-year STIP annually, based upon county plans and RPO input. The STIP is then approved by the highway commission and becomes part of the long-range transportation plan. RPOs and local officials have more direct impact on the use of the regional funds allocated from the STP program.

The planning and programming process includes many transportation-related issues, such as economic development, welfare to work, safety, community, and the environment. Federal land management agencies do not have a formal role in the planning process, but MoDOT coordinates with them as appropriate.

Rural transportation is funded through federal, state, local, private and corporate funds. MoDOT, counties, cities, townships, and transportation corporations receive funding for rural transportation and use the funds in supporting planning, construction, maintenance, and operations. Missouri uses the fuel tax revenue for highways; the transportation funds are allocated as follows: 15% to cities, 15% to counties, and 70% to the state. Counties can also receive County Aid Road and Truck Funds. Some STP funds are distributed to counties and cities with a population over 5,000 for local use.

Missouri uses these practices:

Roles of RPOs: MoDOT contracts with RPOs for a variety of planning activities.
Allocation of Transportation Funds and Responsibilities: A portion of funds is allocated to regions and local governments.
State Policy-Making and Advisory Bodies: Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

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