Click the video above to get your Transportation News in a MoDOT Minute.
Supply chain task force researching issues, gathering solutions
Meetings to be held statewide; local stakeholder involvement encouraged
Missouri plays a key role in supply chain with its national central location, major interstates and the two largest rivers in the country. The global pandemic recovery, increased consumer demand and work shortages are contributing to historic supply chain shortages here, across the nation and around the world.

Gov. Mike Parson established the Missouri Supply Chain Task Force to identify issues facing Missouri businesses and citizens and develop potential solutions to address these challenges. The task force is co-chaired by Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna and Director of the Office of Workforce Development Mardy Leathers from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

The first meeting of the group was held Jan. 20 in Jefferson City and is available for viewing here.

Future meetings will be held throughout the state, providing opportunities for local stakeholder involvement. Each meeting will also have a virtual viewing option and be posted online for viewing afterward.
         
The following have been appointed to serve on this task force:
  • Chris Gutierrez, President, Kansas City SmartPort, Inc.
  • Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President, Multi Modal Enterprises, Bi-State Development
  • Caitlin Murphy, Founder and CEO, Global Gateway Logistics;
  • Dustin Quesenberry, Vice President of Operations, Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI)
  • Todd Spencer, President, OOIDA
 
The task force will convene a variety of stakeholders to identify potential improvements and solutions in the supply chain including logistics, all transportation modes, freight, labor, workforce development, distribution and warehousing.

For more information, visit www.modot.org.
MoDOT crews quickly reopen I-70 following fire
A Jan. 13 fire beneath elevated lanes of I-70 shortly before Kansas City's morning rush hour shuttered westbound traffic. MoDOT's bridge crews quickly responded to inspect the damage and determine a plan to reopen the bridge. The team reopened two of three lanes 84 hours later.
MoDOT seeks public input for two big projects
A virtual public hearing to discuss a proposed project in Butler County to upgrade U.S. Route 67 (future I-57) to four lanes is scheduled for Feb. 3. In the St. Louis area, the I-70/I-64/U.S. 61 interchange can be troublesome for drivers. A survey is available here to share concerns and ideas.
Transportation history
Jan. 27, 1830: Kentucky's legislature chartered the state's first railroad, the Lexington & Ohio Railroad. The intent was to find an effective means of moving goods from Lexington and other inland communities to the Ohio River. The line functioned for only a few years. Read more here.
Fatality update
Statewide fatality totals as reported on the
Missouri State Highway Patrol website as of Jan. 23, 2022
2022 totals - 48
2021 totals - 48 / 2019 totals - 43
2020 totals - 41 / 2018 totals - 54

Take the challenge
When you get into any vehicle, buckle up your seat belt. If you are a driver, put the cellphone down. Join the 15,443 who have taken the pledge so far.
Missouri Dept. of Transportation | (888) 275-6636
P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270