As the familiar refrain of the song “Auld Lang Syne” brings in a new year, it also makes one reflect on things past. 2007 was a remarkable year for highway and safety improvements on Missouri’s roads and our continued ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. And capping it all off was MoDOT’s receipt of the Missouri Quality Award - the official state recognition for excellence in quality leadership. And so, in the popular format of the Top 10 list, let’s take a look back at some of the key achievements that helped make 2007 such a quality year for Missouri transportation.

1. Leading the Nation in Saving Lives

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced in July that Missouri had the largest drop in traffic-related fatalities of any state in the nation in 2006. Of the 868 fewer traffic deaths nationwide, the Show Me State accounted for 161 of them or 19 percent. This goal was accomplished through partnerships with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety and highway safety advocacy groups statewide.

2. Better Roads, Brighter Future

In January, we launched a key effort to improve the remainder of the state’s 5,600 miles of major highways. The Better Roads, Brighter Future Program will bring 85 percent of Missouri's major highway system up to good condition by the end of 2011.

3. Improving Performance

The Reason Foundation had good news for Missouri in August:  the state jumped from 28th to 17th in overall performance of its highway system from 2004 to 2005 and from 39th to 17th in overall performance from 2000 to 2005. The report also showed Missouri had the third lowest administrative costs per mile.

4. Ensuring Bridge Safety

Following the tragic Minnesota bridge collapse in August, we immediately began inspecting the 14 state bridges similar in design and deemed all safe to cross within just two months. In addition, legislation passed in August enabled us to move forward with our Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program, which will repair or replace 802 of our worst bridges in five years.

5. Radical Cost Control

Thanks to radical cost controls, the construction contracts awarded in fiscal year 2007 came in 7.4 percent under budget – a $90 million savings. We also saved $7 million in worker’s compensation costs by cutting lost workdays by 69 percent. Providing electronic project plans will allow us to save about $200,000 a year.

6. The New I-64

We broke ground in March on the largest, single highway construction project in MoDOT history:  the half-billion-dollar overhaul of 10 miles of Interstate 64 in St. Louis, one of the state’s busiest corridors.

7. Driving Edge

Driving Edge, a new traveler information program launched in September, includes electronic message boards along Interstates 70 and 44, an online traveler information map and 24/7 customer service.

8. kcICON 

A new quarter-billion dollar road and bridge project – kcICON – awarded in November will improve four miles of interstate highway north of downtown Kansas City, including a landmark Paseo Bridge.

9. Getting Greener

We continued to work hard in 2007 to protect and preserve our environment. We became one of the first state agencies to use recycled roof shingles in highway projects, began testing soy paint, used beet juice as a de-icing agent and joined with the Missouri Department of Conservation to give half a million trees a year to youth groups to plant.

10. Corridors of the Future

The U.S. Department of Transportation in September announced the Interstate 70 corridor through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio as among six interstates nationwide in its "Corridors Of The Future" program that will look at innovative ways, such as dedicated truck lanes, to reduce congestion and improve freight delivery.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters summed up our accomplishments this way: 

“The Show Me State is showing America how to deliver highway projects on budget and on schedule, and even ahead of schedule.”

For more information, visit our Web site at www.modot.org.