Missouri Ports Receive Record-High State Funding
Several Major Improvement Projects In The Works
Missouri ports along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers are in line for major improvements in the next year, thanks to a record boost in state funding. The state budget, recently signed into law by Gov. Matt Blunt, includes $6.65 million marked for port improvements. That's a huge surge in funding - Missouri typically devotes less than $1 million a year to ports. Ports

Five-Year Transportation Program Approved, Shows Looming Drop in Funding
A new five-year transportation construction program for Missouri shows spending for Missouri's roads and bridges will plummet beginning July 1, 2009, to a program where limited funding will only cover minimal maintenance and safety work. STIP  

Missouri Supplies $5 Million for Improved Amtrak Service
Will Fund New Capacity on Cross-State Route
Reliability of Kansas City to St. Louis trains operated by Amtrak for MoDOT can improve, thanks to $5 million provided by the Missouri state legislature and approved by Gov. Matt Blunt to increase track capacity on the route.  Amtrak

Gov. Blunt Takes Action to Keep Drunk Drivers off Missouri Highways and Roads
Gov. Matt Blunt recently signed tough legislation to better protect motorists from drunk drivers, requiring repeat offenders to modify their vehicles with ignition interlock devices to ensure they cannot endanger other Missourians by drinking and driving. Blunt  

Going the ‘Extra Miles’ for Trash Pick-Up
For most people picking up trash is an unwanted chore. For Richard McAllister of Piedmont, cleaning up litter on the side of the road is a hobby that has become a passion. McAllister

Missouri Schools Win Contest to CAN Litter in Missouri
Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 No MOre Trash! Trashcan Decorating Contest. Representatives from the Missouri departments of Transportation and Conservation presented the prize money to each winning school at student assemblies. The grand prize was awarded to Central Elementary School in Union. Trashcans

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Check out the most recent online edition of Connections, MoDOT's monthly employee newsletter. For some of the latest statewide and district news, make the connection! Connections Online

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