Harry S Truman Coordinating Council (HSTCC)

09/05/2026

TRAFFIC ALERT: Pipe Replacement on Three Newton Co. Routes Week of Sept. 28


When/Where:

7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, September 28 – Route A between Route O and Mill Street in Stella
7 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, September 29 – Route D between Skylark and Route A west of Stella
7 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday, September 30 & October 1 – Route P between Eland Road and Goldfinch Road south of Joplin

What: MoDOT crews replacing damaged pipes underneath the above highways

Traffic Impacts:

All lanes of routes CLOSED where crews are working
All lanes of Route P OPEN during nighttime hours
Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances at either end of the work zones but will not be able to travel through the work zones
No signed detours
Drivers urged to find alternate routes
Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

08/27/2026

🚌 Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program Now Open! 🌳

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has opened the 2026–2027 Bus Grant Program to help cover transportation costs for youth field trips to Missouri state parks and historic sites.

Eligible applicants include:
• Missouri public school districts
• Private schools
• Charter schools
• Youth-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

The program is noncompetitive and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so eligible organizations are encouraged to apply early.

📅 Application Deadline: May 14, 2027
🌐 Learn more and download the application: mostateparks.com/page/missouri-state-parks-bus-grant-program
📧 Questions: [email protected]

This is a great opportunity to help Missouri youth get outdoors, explore our state parks and historic sites, and connect with nature!

The Bus Grant Program assists schools and nonprofit organizations with the transportation expenses of field trips and outdoor learning opportunities to state parks, state historic sites and other facilities managed by Missouri State Parks (including the Missouri Capitol and

08/20/2026

August 20, 2026 MoDOT TRAFFIC ALERT: Jasper County Route BB Bridge Over Stony Branch, Northeast of Carthage OPEN Thursday, August 20

Where: Jasper County Route BB Bridge Over Stony Branch, Northeast of Carthage

When: As of 9 a.m., Thursday, August 20

Details: The bridge was closed in March to allow contractor crews to replace it with a new structure. The new bridge is slightly larger than the one it replaced. In addition, the contractor added new barrier walls to either side and new permanent striping.

This is the eighth bridge to be completed and opened to traffic in a three-year project to improve 20 bridges in seven (7) counties in west central Missouri. Of the 20 bridges in the project, known as the Kaysinger Basin Bridge Bundle, fourteen (14) bridges will be replaced, and six (6) bridges will receive major rehabilitation work. On average, these bridges have been in place for 70 years.

More information about this project can be found on the project website – Kaysinger Basin Bridge Bundle.

Project Information:

Prime contractor: Robertson Contractors Inc., Poplar Bluff

Total project cost: $2.0 million (includes both bridges)

Contract completion date: December 1, 202

08/20/2026

August 20, 2026 MoDOT Provides Update on Rural Highway Speed Limits

JEFFERSON CITY – As the new law permitting the Missouri Department of Transportation to increase rural highway speed limits to 75 mph nears its Aug. 28 effective date, MoDOT shared a look into its ongoing evaluation of eligible locations. No changes will take effect until that evaluation is complete.

“There’s a balance to be struck here between efficient traffic movement and safety, so we’re taking careful consideration of any potential location, what the roadway is like there and how people use it,” said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. “Our mission at MoDOT is to provide a safe and reliable transportation system, so this evaluation helps us make sure any changes to the speed limit don’t come at the expense of a safe trip.”

Under the new law, MoDOT retains the ability to set highway speed limits and has a responsibility to set limits that are reasonably safe considering the various factors of each roadway. The following is a list of some of those factors that are being evaluated at each location to determine where the speed limit could be increased to 75 mph:

Current traffic volumes

Truck traffic volumes

Crash history

Terrain

Road design, including the presence of safety countermeasures

Existing speed limits of border states in eligible areas near the state line

Active construction: Interstate 70’s speed limit will not increase during the historic rebuild and expansion delivered through the Improve I-70 Program. MoDOT will reevaluate this corridor upon completion of the program.

“We’re hoping to complete this review of the eligible locations by the end of the year and provide an update on the path forward,” said Hassinger. “For now, we implore drivers to obey the posted speed limits, especially in our hundreds of work zones across the state.”

08/18/2026

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2026

SUBJECT: Transportation organization seeking citizens' input about future Bicycle & Pedestrian projects

CONTACT: Robert Lolley, Transportation Planner, 417-624-0820, ext. 1514





The Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization (JATSO) is excited to announce the kickoff for updating the Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan including the launch of an online community survey.



JATSO is the transportation planning agency for the Joplin metropolitan area, as designated by the federal government, and its goal is to provide for regional mobility. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan assesses existing bike & pedestrian facilities, identifies popular destinations & needed system improvements, and prioritizes future sidewalks, trails, and bicycle infrastructure projects for the next 10 years.



Survey questions focus on bicycle/pedestrian safety perceptions, specific problem areas, and suggestions for improvement. Responses will help JATSO make informed decisions that target the most pressing transportation issues affecting the region.

The survey JATSO Bike/Ped Plan Update &City of Joplin Active Transportation Plan Update Public Survey is open for comments through October 31, 2026.



In addition to the survey, the public is invited to visit JATSO’s booth in front of Joplin City Hall at the August 20th Third Thursday. JATSO’s booth will include interactive exercises with maps and graphics, and information about the project. Please stop at our booth and provide your incites for increasing opportunities for walking and biking in the JATSO area.



JATSO values community input; it is the only way to create a plan that represents the needs of the entire regional community.



JATSO is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Joplin region. Federal legislation requires an MPO for any urbanized area with a population of over 50,000. MPOs ensure that existing and future transportation projects and program expenditures are based on a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive planning process.

08/17/2026

Southwest District Office: (417) 895-7600 August 17, 2026 TRAFFIC ALERT: Route BB CLOSED in Newton Co. for Pipe Replacement Aug. 18

Where: Newton County Route BB just west of Crow Road south of Joplin

When: 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday, August 18

What: MoDOT crews replacing damaged pipe underneath the road

Traffic Impacts:

All lanes of Route BB CLOSED where crews are working

Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances at either end of the work zone but will not be able to travel through the work zone

No signed detours

Drivers urged to find alternate routes

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

08/11/2026

🌉 **MoDOT Regional Bridge Program Applications Now Open!**

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is accepting project applications for the **Regional Bridge Program** for eligible **off-system bridges**.

The Regional Bridge Program replaces the previous **BRO Program** and provides federal funding to help Local Public Agencies (LPAs) address eligible bridge needs. Projects selected during this application cycle will be funded with **Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2027 funds**.

📅 **Application Deadline:** September 30, 2026
📢 **Anticipated Award Announcements:** December 20, 2026

Eligible bridges can be found on MoDOT’s **2025 BRO Eligible Bridge List**. Communities interested in applying should also review MoDOT’s Regional Bridge Program Application Guide and Application Form for complete eligibility and application requirements.

Applications must be submitted to the appropriate **MoDOT District Office** by the deadline. Projects will be reviewed and scored by regional bridge committees, with selections based on available funding.

📣 **Need help determining if your bridge is eligible or preparing an application?**

Communities in the HSTCC region can contact the **Harry S Truman Coordinating Council (HSTCC)** for assistance with reviewing potential projects and preparing Regional Bridge Program applications.

For additional program information, contact your MoDOT Region Representative or Andrew Seiler at **(417) 895-7696** or **[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])**.

If your community has an eligible bridge in need of replacement or improvement, now is the time to start preparing!

08/11/2026

🚦 **MoDOT Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) Now Open!**

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is accepting applications for the **Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP)** through **August 31, 2026**.

TEAP helps local public agencies address traffic safety and operational concerns by providing funding for professional traffic engineering studies.

Eligible projects may include:
• Corridor or intersection safety/operational studies
• Speed limit reviews
• Sign inventories
• Pedestrian and bicycle route analyses
• ADA transition plans
• Parking studies
• Other traffic engineering studies

💰 **Funding:** 80% reimbursement, up to **$12,000 per project**
🤝 **Local Match:** Minimum 20%
📅 **Application Deadline:** August 31, 2026
🏁 **Project Completion Deadline:** May 21, 2027

Applications must be submitted by email to **[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])**.

Questions about the TEAP program can be directed to Andrew Seiler at **(573) 508-2228** or **[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])**.

📣 **Need help with your application?**
Communities in the HSTCC region can also contact the **Harry S Truman Coordinating Council (HSTCC)** for assistance with identifying potential TEAP projects and preparing an application.

If your community has concerns involving traffic safety, intersections, speeding, pedestrian or bicycle access, signage, ADA accessibility, or other transportation issues, this may be a great opportunity to have those concerns professionally evaluated.

08/07/2026

🚸 Missouri Has Work to Do on Safe Routes to School

The Safe Routes Partnership has released its 2026 State Report Cards, evaluating how states support walking, bicycling, active transportation, and Safe Routes to School.

Missouri received an overall score of just 42 out of 200 points, placing the state in the “Lacing Up” category.

The report highlights several areas where Missouri has significant opportunities for improvement:

👟 Complete Streets & Active Transportation Planning: 6/40
🚲 Federal & State Active Transportation Funding: 25/80
🏫 Safe Routes to School Funding & Supportive Practices: 5/50
🌳 Active Schools & Neighborhoods: 6/30

One of the most notable findings is that Missouri received 0 points in several Safe Routes to School areas, including dedicated state or non-TAP federal SRTS funding, non-infrastructure projects, planning grants, a statewide SRTS plan, and a statewide SRTS resource center or technical assistance program.

These results demonstrate why local and regional planning matters. Creating safer routes for children to walk, bike, and travel to school isn't just about sidewalks—it requires thoughtful planning, community involvement, safer crossings, better connections, appropriate infrastructure, and sustained investment.

There is plenty of room for Missouri to make strides, and communities across our region can be part of that progress.

Every child deserves a safe route to school. 🚶‍♀️🚲🏫

08/07/2026

Public invited to discuss unfunded transportation needs

High-Priority Unfunded Needs draft now available online


On an annual basis, MoDOT staff work together with planning partners across the state to update a list of high-priority unfunded road and bridge needs.

The draft 2026 High-Priority Unfunded Needs (HPUN) listing is now available on MoDOT's website. This document identifies $4.7 billion in unfunded transportation needs for the system and guides the development of future funded projects as state and federal transportation dollars become available. The new HPUN Dashboard allows users to filter and see the needs broken down by tier, region, legislative district or county.

The draft HPUN is divided into three tiers:

Tier one includes $541 million of needs that could be accomplished in the current five-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as federal and state funding is made available. These needs have more refined estimates.
Tier two outlines $2 billion of needs that go beyond the current STIP timeframe and have broader estimates.
Tier three includes $2.1 billion of additional needs, another layer beyond the current STIP timeframe with broader estimates.
In addition, the document identifies $1 billion in multimodal needs and $1.1 billion in statewide maintenance and operations needs.

Public meetings have been scheduled across the state for citizens to provide feedback on the order of priorities and additional needs that could be funded in the future. Presentations from each meeting will be shared in conjunction with the meetings. More details about the times and locations of these meetings can be found on the HPUN website. There is also an online comment form available through Sept. 10.