LETTERS: HIGHWAY PLANS REVIEWED

This is a letter from the chief engineer of the Missouri Department of Transportation that was sent to Sen. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau.

There has been much discussion about the status, progress and funding of plan developed in 1992. Two years ago, we announced that our analysis showed the 1992 plan was seriously underfunded. Current analysis shows the underfunding continues, and we do not expect this situation to improve. I would like to bring you up to date on information we explained to the Highway and Transportation Commission and the public on Dec. 5. As we have stated previously, underfunding of the 1992 plan was caused primarily by two things:

-- We included no construction inflation in the calculation of project costs.

-- Our assumption of full federal funding has not occurred.

As a result, here is what the Department of Transportation plans to do regarding the highway program. First, we are committed to completing the Short-Term Action Plan which covers calendar years 1996 through 1999. We will have more than 630 projects under contract or completed by the end of 1999. The world will total about $2.8 billion.

Second, the remainder of the projects in the 1992 plan will be reassessed with input from local communities, the public and the governor's Total Transportation Commission. We will need to analyze each project to determine whether the project remains a priority and whether the scope of the project remains appropriate.

Finally, we will not estimate costs for any project beyond those on the STAP. We are implementing a more realistic three-to-five-year planning horizon for the future. We believe primary corridors, such as Highway 63 or 60 to name just a couple, will remain priorities. A decision will be made after we reassess projects outside the four years of the STAP and hear from the governor's commission.

Our commission meeting also included discussion of a consultant's report regarding department organization. As you know, for the past year the department has been changing its structure to become more efficient, business-like and accessible to the public. Most of the report indicates we are right on track.

One of the report recommendations says we should place even more emphasis that we already have on financial accountability. I agree with this recommendation, and in order for us to take this step, we will improve our business leadership. Therefore, we plan to establish two high-level financial officers who will be responsible for all financial aspects of the department, including auditing, financial forecasting and accounting of expenditures.

Thank you for this opportunity to be candid about the status of the highway and bridge improvement program. We are committed to moving forward as quickly as possible with highway improvements needed by Missouri citizens.

JOE MICKES, Chief Engineer

Missouri Department of Transportation

Jefferson City