By ERIC SCHROETER

When it comes to transportation infrastructure, 2024 was year of endings and of beginnings.

Last year brought to a successful close two large, multi-year projects with the opening of the Buck O’ Neil Bridge in Kansas City and opening of the Lance Corporal Leon Deraps I-70 Missouri River Bridge near Rocheport. At the same time, exciting initiatives are just beginning, with the Improve I-70 and Forward 44 projects.

Governor Mike Parson and the General Assembly continued the investment in Missouri’s transportation infrastructure, allowing MoDOT, in conjunction with state and regional planning agencies, to deliver the largest Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to date.

With such investments being made, it’s important that MoDOT remain accountable and transparent to both the legislature and the taxpayers of Missouri. On Dec. 4, MoDOT published its Annual Report documents: the Year in Review; the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report; the Citizen’s Guide to Transportation Funding; the Financial Snapshot; and the Results Document. Presented to the legislature in January, these documents don’t just ensure transparency – they detail how we are delivering for the citizens of the state.

The Year in Review document looks back on some of the infrastructure investments made. In addition to the bridge projects, the document highlights further initiatives that have happened throughout the year, including improvements made to more than 1,800 miles of low-volume roads throughout the state as part of the governor’s Rural Routes Program.

Tracking the finances for such investments is imperative. The annual comprehensive financial report provides a detailed account of the annual audit performed on the department’s financial statements. For answers to frequently asked questions regarding the department’s finances, there’s the financial snapshot, which also looks at revenues and expenditures for the year.

A key part of the annual report is the Citizen’s Guide to Transportation. An illustrated overview of MoDOT’s core functions, the document outlines where MoDOT’s revenues come from, how those funds are invested and how the department operates within the fiscal year. It also highlights the infrastructure needs that go unfunded and the projects that have made their way into the STIP from the unfunded list.

Finally, the results document highlights what Missouri citizens received for their investment. Year 2024 saw the completion of 305 projects, with 94 percent completed on time. Quite the accomplishment, and it couldn’t have been done without you, our contractor partners and planning agencies.

View MoDOT’s Annual Report at www.modot.org/modot-annual-report. We look forward to working with you as we embark on another year of providing a safe and reliable transportation system.

Eric Schroeter is Missouri Dept. of Transportation’s deputy director and chief engineer.