Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Approves 2026 Long-Range Transportation Plan

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Highways Transportation Commission today approved the Missouri Department of Transportation's 2026 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The plan serves as a comprehensive, policy-driven guide for the development of Missouri's transportation system through 2050 and builds upon the goals and objectives outlined in the previous plan, last updated in June 2018.

The plan addresses emerging trends and evolving needs across the entire transportation network and sets the vision and goals for Missouri's transportation future, utilizing a five-phase approach that includes vision and goal setting, needs assessment, scenario planning, cost feasibility and implementation and plan adoption.

"The plan dives deep into the state's demographics and the travel trends in each region. It looks at both where we are and where we're headed in the next 25 years in terms of infrastructure needs and how emerging technologies and revenue projections stack up against those needs," said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. "We can't predict the future, but we're confident that this long-range plan will help provide a solid foundation as we move forward."

Public outreach helped determine the goals and objectives outlined in the new plan and included engaging with customers as well as planning organizations from around the state via various public meetings in person and online. The goals in the final plan focus on preserving the current assets, while also enhancing the safety and reliability of the system - all with an eye to the future.

The current LRTP was updated alongside MoDOT's State Freight and Rail Plan (SFRP), last updated in May 2022. The SFRP serves as a comprehensive assessment of Missouri's freight and passenger rail systems and determines short-term and long-terms goals for improving the state's freight and rail infrastructure. Updating both plans simultaneously ensures a coordinated and well-informed development process, allowing a full view of the transportation system. The updated SFRP will be available on MoDOT's external website, modot.org, in the coming months.

MoDOT develops, adopts and implements both the LRTP and the SFRP as required by federal legislation and regulations. The 2026 LRTP can be viewed on MoDOT's website at: www.modot.org/2026-LRTP.

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For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.

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