MoDOT director receives national honor

The head of the Missouri Department of Transportation is being recognized for his innovation and leadership, MoDOT announced Monday.

MoDOT Director Pete Rahn was named one of the 2009 Public Officials of the Year by Governing magazine, making him the first state transportation director to receive the award since its inception 23 years ago.

"It is gratifying to serve in a position that truly impacts people in their daily lives," Rahn said in a news release. "The credit should go to 6,300 MoDOT employees who work hard every day to improve the lives of all Missourians."

The magazine noted the new Interstate 64 project, which includes the reconstruction of 10 miles of interstate, interchanges and bridges on I-64/U.S.Highway 40 in St. Louis and is the largest construction project in Missouri history.

The magazine also cited Rahn's ability to give contractors flexibility and still hold them strictly accountable for their work as a factor in his selection for the award. The magazine cited the Smooth Roads Initiative as an example. That initiative increased the portion of Missouri highways in good condition to 74 percent - up from 47 percent in 2004 - and was completed a year ahead of schedule.

Rahn also was recognized for cost-control measures that have allowed MoDOT to award 2,151 projects worth $5.7 billion in the last five fiscal years, at 5.5 percent under budget.