MoDOT cancels bid opening due to funding issues

The state's funding situation is putting the latest slate of transportation projects on hold.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is withdrawing all projects advertised for bid in today's February bid opening, according to a MoDOT news release, due to continued uncertainty about federal funding for highway and bridge building. Contractors have been submitting bids for a series of projects, which MoDOT had originally planned to award today.

The last multiyear federal highway funding bill, passed in 2005, provided $42 billion per year nationally. That bill, however, expired in September, and Congress only renewed the bill at $30 billion a year. The change puts $250 million in funding for Missouri in jeopardy, according to the release.

Among the southwest Missouri projects pulled off the table are bridge repairs on 25 bridges in Greene and Christian counties, bridge rehabilitation in Springfield, pavement repairs on Interstate 44 in Greene County, sidewalk and curb construction in Branson and guard-rail replacement on Routes 160 and 248 near Forsyth.

"We are encouraged by actions taken by the U.S. Senate in recent days to remedy this situation,” MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said in the release. “But in fact, there is not yet agreement between the Senate and the House on a common bill to address the shortfall in federal funding for highway and bridge projects to cities, counties and states. Because of this, MoDOT cannot prudently proceed with the February 26 bid opening.”

Congress has until Sunday to change the funding level, according to a notice posted to MoDOT's Web site last Friday, or else state transportation departments will have to make adjustments to existing budgets.