Mo. transportation agency saves $177M through cuts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri transportation officials say the agency has saved $177 million so far as part of a five-year plan to cut costs on staff, equipment and facilities.

Department of Transportation Director Kevin Keith says the agency has eliminated 667 staff positions so far -- slightly more than half the eventual target. Keith says the department also has closed 23 facilities and disposed of 245 pieces of equipment.

The department is working to eventually close a total 131 facilities and get rid of more than 740 pieces of equipment. By 2015, the agency hopes to have saved $512 million that can be redirected to transportation programs.