Transportation, Economic Development To Analyze Road and Bridge Impacts

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri departments of Transportation and Economic Development are teaming up to determine the impact highway projects have on the state’s economy, revenue and demographics.

The information will be used to help the departments plan and invest funds, as well as show what type of return the state is getting on its transportation investments.  The findings will also be used to determine how transportation projects affect local areas and citizens.

“This partnership with Economic Development will help us find answers to some of the questions we have about how our transportation system impacts the state and its citizens,” said Dr. Ernie Perry, MoDOT’s research, development and technology director.  “For example, the research will tell us how many jobs a project might create and whether the investment will increase the area’s population and attract new business.  It will also help us consider economic development factors, in addition to engineering considerations, when planning projects.”

Perry said MoDOT’s agreement with the economic development department, through its research arm, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, called for analyzing 20 projects per year.  Projects will be selected based on MoDOT’s planning framework, which seeks input from the public and planning partners on proposed projects.

“This project is a prime example of interagency cooperation that will ultimately provide valuable information to state and local leaders about the future of Missouri’s transportation.

To hear Ernie Perry's comments live, go to MoDOT's Newsroom page and download the sounds bites.