JEFFERSON CITY, MO The Missouri Department of Transportation launches a statewide survey to solicit public input about the vision for the state's transportation priorities. The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is a federally required process that sets the state's 25-year vision for transportation.

"Our long range planning process is a critical time for our department to assess the needs of our system and hear directly from our customers - the citizens of Missouri - to ensure our priorities match the needs of our people," said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. "As we work to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, the LRTP gives us the ability to review public and stakeholder input and address those customer needs."

Missouri's current plan was approved in February 2014, but new federal laws and regulations require additional content, including system performance metrics and targets. As MoDOT updates its LRTP, the department will review the goals established in 2014, including preservation, safety, economic development, and connections and choices. In addition, this year's plan will be the first time Missouri examines how to prepare for autonomous and connected vehicles.

MoDOT is gathering public input for the plan through an online survey tool. The survey - which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete - was developed as a simple way for all Missourians to weigh in. The survey is available starting today and will remain open through Wednesday, Oct. 11. Interested citizens can take the survey by visiting https://modotlrtp.metroquest.com/ on a computer, smartphone or tablet. MoDOT encourages those who need access to a computer to visit their local public library or MoDOT District Office. MoDOT District Offices will also have paper copies of the survey available.

Missouri has the nation's seventh largest state highway system, with 33,856 miles of roadways and 10,403 bridges. Balancing the preservation and maintenance of the current system with new demands and infrastructure priorities requires strategic decision-making that can only be accomplished with insights from the public and stakeholders. The public-input process is critical to MoDOT's planning process.

The final plan will be available for public comment in the spring and will be presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for review and consideration for approval at its May 2018 meeting.