A Conversation With ... Jim Anderson

We’re a six-member commission appointed by the governor, to be confirmed by the Senate, (with) a six-year term. We literally have governance of the Missouri Department of Transportation, which of course, is no small task, given that our annual budget this year is $2.5 billion. We have some 6,300 employees and responsibility for … all modes of transportation.

You’ve been on the commission since 2001; with term limits, is this your last year?

Well, it would have been, but in 2005, the general assembly passed some transportation legislation that called for different, staggered terms for commissioners. As a result, they had to change some of the existing commissioners’ terms. Before, it was possible to have three of the six (commissioners) go off at one time, and that’s not good for continuity; they changed so only two go off at a time … in March of each year. My term got extended to 2009, so I’ve got two more years.

You continue to serve as president of Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Why is serving on the commission important to you?

I think it’s important to have representation from our region of the state. Back in 2001 … several (area) presiding commissioners got together and advanced my name, along with some other people. When I got the call … I guess I didn’t hesitate. Transportation is so important to economic development. My philosophy is that successful communities, successful states, invest in basic infrastructure, and for me, that’s education and transportation. I think … our community is investing in both, and that’s why we’re having success.

What challenges face MoDOT?

Completing what we said we would do … is certainly job No. 1 – accountability. One of the biggest challenges I think we face is a couple of years off, but (that’s) the funding challenge. That’s hard for people to accept today, because there’s 1,000 work zones this summer across the state … but that’s a direct result of Amendment 3. Missouri citizens have obviously provided us some resources, but Amendment 3 required all this stuff to be bonded. We have the largest construction program in Missouri’s history happening right now. But all of that comes to a dead halt in about 2009 … and in 2010, we will go back to funding levels … that will allow us to take care of what we have, and there’s not resources to expand. That’s going to be a real challenge.

What about short-term challenges for MoDOT?

Our No. 1 legislative priority is a primary safety belt law, and I’m not sure it’s going to make it this legislative session. Right now, it’s law that you wear your seatbelt, but you’re not pulled over if you’re not wearing your seatbelt. What this would require is that you wear your seatbelt, and a highway patrolman or police officer could issue a ticket (if they see) you’re not wearing your seatbelt. I don’t think it will happen … (but) it’s a safety issue. It’s estimated that 90 lives a year would be saved, for example.

What commission accomplishments make you most proud?

You’re seeing signs all over the state now, that when we finish projects, it says ‘Completed as promised.’ We’ve been doing that (in Springfield), but now MoDOT has embraced what I call these point of presence signs. (Also), hiring our director. Pete Rahn has been with us less than three years … and he has done a tremendous job leading MoDOT. (Then we have) what we call a planning framework. What that means is decisions on transportation projects are made at the local level and not just in Jefferson City. In our region, for example, it all goes through the Ozarks Transportation Organization. (Through the) Smooth Roads Initiative, we’ve done 2,200 miles of resurfacing, primarily of the major roads. I’m pretty proud of what we’ve done to make Missouri roads safer. I’ll give you an example – these guard cables we put on the interstates – are saving lives right and left.

As an Ozarks driver, what local areas do you identify as trouble spots for traffic?

In my mind, (U.S. Highway) 65 and (Interstate) 44 was one of the most dangerous, and maybe is, but it’s being addressed. Obviously that’s a huge project for Springfield and our region. It’s supposed to be done in 2008, but it’s ahead of schedule. And then (U.S. Highway) 65 and (Highway) 60 – I think that’s probably one of the worst in our region, but thanks to Amendment 3 … work will start (there) in 2009. Those are the two that scare me the most … and thank heavens both are in the process of being addressed.

Interview by Features Editor Maria Hoover. You can e-mail her with suggestions for future installments of this feature at mhoover@sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]