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Lawmakers press MoDOT on local responsiveness, sign replacement and bridge funding
Summary
Multiple legislators told MoDOT officials that constituents still face bureaucratic delays and poor local service despite recent improvements; members highlighted damaged signs, bridge inspection burdens for small counties, and the need for stronger area‑level responsiveness.
Several lawmakers used MoDOT’s FY2027 hearing to press the agency on neighborhood‑level problems and long‑running local priorities. Representative Kupps and others described constituents who struggle to obtain timely responses on issues such as driveway approvals and crossing fixes; Representative Kupps singled out an incident she said involved MoDOT discipline after employees improvised to secure a hanging sign rather than wait weeks for formal approval.
Representative Mayhew pressed MoDOT on the inventory and cost of replacing faded or damaged green signs, saying one near his home had been in poor condition for years. MoDOT staff told the committee they have roughly 700,000 signs statewide and that a large green interstate sign can cost about $30,000 to replace, while many one‑off repairs are performed by district crews. "There shouldn't be signs laying down for two years," Director Hassinger said in response to particular examples.
Rural members also stressed off‑system bridge pressures. Representative Boggs and others described small county budgets and the high cost of bridge replacement; Hassinger outlined programs that increase federal and state investments for off‑system bridges and noted match reductions under some federal programs. He offered MoDOT staff support to work with counties on inventories, priorities and potential grant matches.
Members repeatedly asked for an accessible, updated STIP and district‑by‑county breakdowns of FY27 allocations and large contractor payments. Committee staff asked MoDOT to produce a clear crosswalk showing where department requests differ from the governor’s recommendations so legislators can see which items were moved or restricted to House Bill 17.
No formal actions were taken during the exchange; members requested follow‑up material and district‑level briefings.
