Write Up:

Missourians have repeatedly told MoDOT that keeping roads smooth is a top priority. Over the years, MoDOT has been able to fund pavement improvement projects on thousands of miles of state highways.

MoDOT maintains 33,808 miles of highway. For yearend 2022, the percentage of major highways in good condition is 89.2%, falling just below the target of 90%. The condition of minor and low-volume highways has improved to 80.7% and 74.3% respectively, both meeting the targets of 80% for minor-volume highways and 70% for low-volume highways.

As defined by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the target is based on the statewide asset management plan and represents MoDOT’s goal of maintaining the current conditions of Missouri's highways.

Beginning in 2018, FHWA requires all departments of transportation to report pavement data related to the structural integrity of the pavement, which may not impact current pavement smoothness but may cause future pavement issues. The Federal Highway Administration then provides a report card back to the departments. However, there is no structural condition to report for 2022 as the FHWA software is down.

MoDOT has implemented asset management practices statewide to invest in transportation projects that will keep good roads in good condition. Inflation continues to require MoDOT to push back improvements to major highways, resulting in a downward trend for the past few years. To help reverse this trend, MoDOT has increased the minimum lift thickness of asphalt to four times the nominal aggregate size, improving joint density, a common failure on major highways. MoDOT is also working to implement Balanced Mixed Design with the goal of improving the quality of asphalt on roadways.

Purpose of the Measure:

This measure tracks the condition of Missouri’s highways.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Missouri’s major highway system contains the state’s busiest highways, including interstates and most U.S. routes. There are 5,553 total miles on the major highway system. 

Missouri’s minor highway system consists of its less-traveled state highways, including most lettered routes and routes that mainly serve local transportation needs. There are 17,538 miles of minor highways in Missouri.

Missouri’s low volume highways are those state-owned roads with less than 400 cars traveling on them per day. There are 10,717 miles of low volume roads in Missouri.

Missouri measures the condition of its roadways using smoothness as one factor but also considers physical distresses, such as cracking. The targets for this measure are set by internal policy and will not change unless policy changes, regardless of performance.