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 33,811 miles of highway. For yearend 2024, the percentage of major highways in good condition is 88.9%, just below the target of 90% and a slight decrease from 2023 of 1%. The percentage of minor highways in good condition continues to stay above the target of 80% for 2023 increasing by 2.6% from 2023.  The percentage of low-volume highways in good condition also continued to improve in 2024, increasing to 83.1%, well exceeding the 70% target for low-volume highways.

As defined by the 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.                         
               
MoDOT has implemented asset management practices statewide to invest in transportation projects that will keep good roads in good condition. While the percent of major highways in good condition has decreased in 2024, the recent investments made by the legislature to improve Missouri interstates will likely result in an increase in the coming years. MoDOT continues to look for innovative ways to improve the quality of asphalt and concrete used to pave and maintain Missouri’s highways. Low-volume highways in good condition continue to increase thanks to the additional funding from former Gov. Parson's Rural Routes Program. With the continued support from Gov. Kehoe, the low-volume highways in good condition will likely continue to increase. MoDOT will also be chip sealing these minor and low-volumes routes to keep them in good condition for years to come.

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 5,555 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 18,114 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 10,142 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.