Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(1) History and Authority. The Highways and
Transportation Department was formed when voters approved Constitutional
Amendment 2 in November 1979, merging the previously separate Highways and
Transportation Departments. Constitutional Amendment 3, approved by voters in
2004, changed the name of the Highways and Transportation Department to the
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT or department). Per Article I V,
Section 29, Missouri Constitution, MoDOT is governed by the Missouri Highways
and Transportation Commission (commission). The commission has authority over
all state highways and transportation programs and facilities as provided by
Article I V, Sections 29, 30(a), 30(b), and 30(c) of the Missouri
Constitution. The number, qualifications, compensation, and terms of
the members of the commission are fixed by law. Under Chapter 226, RSMo, the
bi-partisan commission is comprised of six (6) members. Commission members are
appointed by the governor, by and with the consent of the senate, for terms of
six (6) years. Not more than three (3) commissioners can be members of the same
political party. The director of MoDOT, as the chief executive officer, and
secretary, as record keeper for the commission, are appointed by the commission
under Chapter 226, RSMo. MoDOT is responsible for the location, design,
construction, and maintenance of the state's highway system including
accommodation for non-motorized transportation. MoDOT coordinates and
cooperates with the owners and operators of transportation facilities and
services, which include transit, air, rail, ports, and waterborne commerce.
MoDOT works with these groups in the development and improvement of public and
special transit systems, airports, rail facilities, and ports. MoDOT
administers federal and state funds for various transportation programs as
these funds become available. In carrying out these functions, MoDOT works
closely with local governments and citizens of the state in the planning and
development of these programs, services, and facilities.
(2) Organization.
(A) General Management.
1. The director is the chief executive
officer and is appointed by, and serves at the discretion of, the commission.
The director appoints a deputy director/chief engineer, assistant chief
engineer, chief administrative officer, chief counsel (with the consent of the
commission), chief financial officer, chief safety and operations officer, and
other leaders and employees as the commission may designate and deem necessary.
Under the direction of the commission, the director is responsible for the
overall operations and performance of the department and prescribes the duties
and authority of employees. The selection and removal of all employees is
without regard to political affiliation. The duties of the deputy
director/chief engineer, assistant chief engineer, chief administrative
officer, chief counsel, chief financial officer, and chief safety and
operations officer are as follows:
A. The
deputy director/chief engineer serves as MoDOT's primary advisor regarding
engineering issues. This position is responsible for providing general
oversight of all planning, design, construction, and maintenance work for the
department as determined by the director, including preparation and approval of
all engineering documents, plans, and specifications. The chief engineer
reports to the director and provides input on overall department
decisions;
B. The assistant chief
engineer provides leadership and oversight to the department's technical
engineering functions;
C. The chief
administrative officer provides leadership and oversight to the department's
administrative business functions;
D. The chief counsel advises and represents the
commission and the director in all actions and proceedings to which either may
be a party or in proceedings under Chapters 226 and 227, RSMo, or with respect
to any law administered by the commission or any order or proceeding of the
commission. The chief counsel is responsible for drafting all contracts,
conveyances, agreements, or other documents affecting the commission, property
held or acquired by it, and any action taken by the commission. The chief
counsel, with the director's approval, appoints assistant counsel(s) as
necessary to represent the commission and the department;
E. The chief financial officer provides
leadership and oversight to the department's accounting, finance, fleet,
facilities, procurement, and information systems functions; and
F. The chief safety and operations officer
provides leadership and oversight to the department's safety and operations
functions.
2. The
secretary to the commission is responsible for maintaining records of all
proceedings of the commission and is the custodian of all records, documents,
and papers filed with the commission, department, and other public governmental
bodies established by the commission.
(B) Divisions. MoDOT pursues its mission
through the following divisions:
1. Audits and
Investigations is responsible for conducting audits of department operations,
external contracts, grant agreements, motor carrier fuel tax returns, and
apportioned registrations. The division also investigates fraud, waste, and
abuse; employee grievances; Equal Employment Opportunity complaints; and
conducts mediations. The division analyzes competitive bidding practices,
assesses the potential for fraud in construction contracts, and conducts
reviews of construction contracts;
2. Bridge is responsible for the structural
design and detailed plans production for all state highway bridges, including
cost estimates and site-specific job special provisions. Additional
responsibilities include maintaining the National Bridge Inventory,
recommending load posting limits for both state and non-state bridges, bridge
inspection, and analyzing structures for special superload overweight permit
loads traveling within the state;
3. Communications is responsible for
disseminating information on the activities of the commission and MoDOT to the
public and to MoDOT personnel. Communications coordinates customer comments to
MoDOT through public involvement meetings, customer service representatives,
and surveys. Communications helps MoDOT communicate with news media through
news releases and personal contact. Communications creates strategies statewide
and through MoDOT's districts that educate and inform stakeholders through the
web, social media, presentations, video, publications, displays, and other
mediums;
4. Construction and
Materials is responsible for administering construction contracts awarded by
the commission. Contracts are awarded through the competitive bid or design
build selection process, and then work is assigned to project offices
geographically located throughout the state. Engineers and technicians make
owner/engineering decisions, verify contract compliance through testing and
inspection, and complete and review documentation necessary to authorize
payment. Construction and Materials is responsible for testing to ensure the
materials used for maintenance and construction of our transportation system
meet the quality standards and specifications;
5. Design is responsible for the location,
environmental, and cultural resource studies required for initial evaluation of
proposed projects; detailed route studies, ground surveys, and aerial
photography; and design and plan preparation including cost estimates for the
state transportation projects. Design advertises and makes all preparations for
receiving bids for transportation project contracts including the development
of specifications and cost estimates prior to advertising for bids. Design is
also responsible for acquisition of right of way required for the construction
and maintenance of all state highways in addition to properties incidental to
the system of state highways in Missouri, and provides relocation assistance
for all persons displaced by the commission's right of way acquisition. Design
administers the disposal or lease of land considered excess to commission needs
and the regulation of outdoor advertising billboards and junkyards adjacent to
regulated state highways. Design administers the Scenic Byway
Program;
6. Equal Opportunity and
Diversity is responsible for directing the department's Affirmative Action
Program and other initiatives aimed at achieving and maintaining a diverse
workforce;
7. External Civil Rights
is responsible for directing the department's external affirmative action,
equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination programs, which include the
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, On-the-Job Training Program, Equal
Employment Opportunity, Title VI, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and
all other nondiscrimination or affirmative action programs related to
federal-aid contracting activities;
8. Financial Services is responsible for
providing administrative support to MoDOT in accounting, financial reporting,
and policy development, building and maintaining an effective system of
internal controls, and cost accounting. Financial Services is also responsible
for coordinating financial resources and spending plans through forecasting,
analysis, and training. Financial Services also performs financial planning and
fiscal analysis, budget, federal aid management, innovative finance
administration, and claims management functions for the department;
9. General Services is responsible for
supporting MoDOT activities by providing guidance and support services in the
areas of facilities management, procurement, inventory management, fleet
management, and equipment repair;
10. Governmental Relations is responsible for
acting as MoDOT's liaison between Missouri's congressional delegation, the
Missouri Legislature, and local political subdivisions. Staff members review
and analyze proposed transportation-related legislation affecting MoDOT and
provide either support or options for improving the legislative proposals and
public policies impacting the traveling public. Governmental Relations staff
also serve as a liaison between MoDOT and national transportation
associations;
11. Highway Safety
and Traffic is responsible for leading a comprehensive approach to reduce
fatalities and serious injuries on Missouri roadways by combining
infrastructure improvements with efforts to change driver behavior. This
includes guiding the deployment of data-driven engineering strategies and
working closely with safety partners to administer federal safety grants for
educational programs, traffic enforcement activities, public awareness
campaigns, trainings/certifications and more. The division also provides
direction and support for traffic management and operations across the state,
including signing, striping, traffic signals, lighting, intelligent
transportation systems (ITS), roadway access, work zones, and traveler
information services;
12. Human
Resources is responsible for developing and administering the department's
statewide personnel program. The division conducts recruiting for civil
engineering positions and manages statewide efforts related to employment;
work-life support; classification, pay and employee training; development and
assessment. Human Resources also develops personnel policy, maintains personnel
records for employees, and provides support for all personnel activities within
the central office location;
13.
Information Systems is responsible for providing information technology
products, services and support to the department and coordinates its
information technology activities. Information Systems staff provide technical
expertise in the areas of application development, collaboration tools,
computing systems, data service management, network management, cyber security,
and other technical support areas;
14. Maintenance is responsible for assisting and
supporting maintenance activities for the preservation and operation of the
state highway system;
15. Motor
Carrier Services provides information, credentials, and permits and enforces
safety for businesses and individuals interested in commercial property and
passenger-carrying operations on public highways in and through
Missouri;
16. Multimodal
Operations is responsible for administering state and federal programs that
support and develop non-highway passenger and freight transportation, which
include aviation, railroads, transit, and waterways. Major programs include
capital improvements, operating support, technical assistance, safety outreach,
and identifying freight efficiencies/opportunities; and
17. Transportation Planning is responsible for
planning and coordinating a long-range, total transportation system for MoDOT.
This includes developing the long range transportation plan; developing,
coordinating, and tracking the five- (5-) year Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program; mapping; collecting, managing, and analyzing data to
provide a single source of information to support MoDOT's decision process
related to maintenance, construction, and reconstruction of the state
transportation system; leading organizational performance management, including
the production of MoDOT's quarterly performance management document, Tracker;
and facilitating process improvement, customer satisfaction, and
problem-solving teams to improve operational performance.
(C) Units. Units have a smaller scope than
the department's divisions-
1. Employee Health
and Wellness is responsible for the management and implementation of the
medical and life insurance plans for department employees and retirees,
ensuring employees are fit for duty to include the management of worker's
compensation claims and the fit for duty process, and administering the
department's drug and alcohol testing programs, including ensuring compliance
with federally mandated drug and alcohol testing programs; and
2. Safety and Emergency Management is
responsible for leading, managing, developing, and organizing the department's
employee safety and health, security, emergency management, traffic incident
management, and safety and technical training programs; collaborating with
districts and divisions to develop and implement policies and procedures to
eliminate or reduce employee exposure to hazards in the department's various
work environments; implementing security protocols for the protection of
employees and assets; monitoring industrial hygiene; developing safety and
technical training programs; and overseeing the department's emergency
management preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, and administration
of federal disaster recovery programs. Safety and Emergency Management is also
responsible for leading the emergency support function for transportation
during state or federal emergency operations center disaster activations, and
staffing the recovery support function for infrastructure following state
disaster declarations.
(D) Districts. Missouri is geographically divided into
seven (7) districts. Each district is led by a district engineer who is
responsible for supervising all activities of MoDOT within that particular
district. The following counties are included in the indicated districts:
Northwest District includes Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll,
Chariton, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn,
Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan, and Worth; Northeast District
includes Adair, Audrain, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe,
Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, and Warren;
Kansas City District includes Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis,
Platte, Ray, and Saline; Central District includes Boone, Callaway, Camden,
Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Howard, Laclede, Maries, Miller,
Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington; St. Louis District
includes Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis, and the City of St.
Louis; Southwest District includes Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Cedar,
Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Henry, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald,
Newton, Polk, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Vernon, and Webster; Southeast District
includes Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell,
Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry,
Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard,
Texas, Wayne, and Wright.
(E)
Assigned Entities. Although assigned to the commission or MoDOT by law for
organizational purposes, the following commissions, authorities, and districts
operate independently of MoDOT: the Bi-State Metropolitan Development District;
the Missouri-St. Louis Metropolitan Airport Authority; the Kansas City Area
Transportation Authority District; and the Mississippi River Parkway
Commission. The Mississippi River Parkway Commission was established by section
226.440, RSMo. All the other entities are authorized by section 14 of the
Omnibus State Reorganization Act of 1974 and section 226.007, RSMo.
(3) How to Obtain Information. The
official residence of the commission, as well as the offices of the director,
chief counsel, commission secretary, and divisions of MoDOT, is the Missouri
Department of Transportation Building in Jefferson City, Missouri. Written
inquiries by the public should be addressed to the Commission Secretary,
Missouri Department of Transportation Building, PO Box 270, Jefferson City, MO
65102. The general information telephone number is (573) 751-2551. Inquiries
may be made via email to comments@modot.mo.gov. Information from any district
office of the department may be obtained in person, by writing, or by
telephoning the District Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation:
Northwest District, 3602 North Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO 64506-1399, (816)
387-2350; Northeast District, 1711 South Highway 61, Hannibal, MO 63401, (573)
248-2490; Kansas City District, 600 NE Colbern Rd., Lee's Summit, MO 64086,
(816) 622-6500; Central District, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, PO Box 718,
Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573) 751-3322; St. Louis District, 1590 Woodlake
Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017, (314) 275-1500; Southwest District, 3025 East
Kearney, PO Box 868, Springfield, MO 65801, (417) 895-7600; and Southeast
District, 2675 N. Main Street, PO Box 160, Sikeston, MO 63801, (573)
472-5333.
*Original authority: 536.023, RSMo 1975, amended 1976,
1997, 2004.
