MoDOT director resigns

Missouri Department of Transportation Director Kevin Keith has stepped down from the position he has held since late 2010.

Keith's resignation is effective immediately, and he is taking a medical leave of absence until his July 1 retirement. MoDOT Chief Engineer Dave Nichols has stepped in as interim director, according to a news release.

"The commission has accepted Kevin's resignation and we are grateful for his long career of dedicated, results-oriented service to MoDOT and the citizens of Missouri," said Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Joe Carmichael, a Springfield attorney with Carmichael & Neal PC, in the release. "We are committed to a seamless leadership transition for the benefit of our employees, our customers and our stakeholders."

Nichols, who will serve in the interim for a minimum of a year, has a 29-year career with MoDOT, working formerly out of St. Joseph and Kansas City.