They changed our lives. Now they’re in trouble. We need to talk.

That’s the teaser for the public policy forum we’re hosting in June to discuss the condition of our interstates and where we’re headed. Titled “Our Interstates at 50:  A Midlife Crisis,” the forum will be held June 22 at the University of Missouri-Columbia in conjunction with the nation’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the interstate system. It’s co-sponsored by the Institute of Public Policy, Truman School of Public Affairs. 

U.S. General (ret.) Barry McCaffrey, NBC News analyst, Operation Desert Storm commander and national infrastructure expert, will be the keynote speaker for the forum. Other speakers include:

• Bob Priddy, Missourinet;
• Mary Peters, (former Federal Highway Administration Administrator), National Director for Transportation Policy and Consulting, HDR Incorporated;
• Bob Heitmann, Cintra-Zachry Construction;
• Hal Kassoff, Parsons Brinkerhoff;
• Frank Moretti, TRIP; and

• other national and state transportation leaders.

Director Pete Rahn will host the forum. Three panels will discuss the interstate system’s past, present and future.

“The creation of the interstate highway system has been the most significant development in transportation history, but today we’re at a crossroads,” said Rahn. “Missouri has lacked the funding needed to keep its interstates in good condition, and many of our interstate highways are aging, congested and in need of reconstruction.” 

In addition to the public forum, we’ll host a June 28 event to celebrate the first interstate contract awarded at the site of one of the first interstate projects - located at Interstate 70 and Fifth Street in St. Charles. And, the Kansas Department of Transportation is tentatively planning an event for June 23 at the Kansas Speedway and has invited us to participate.

Fact:  Missouri has 17 routes that carry the interstate designation and account for 1,180 miles of the 32,318 miles included in the state’s total highway system.