MoDOT names interim director, begins national search

The Missouri Department of Transportation has named Kevin Keith to temporarily fill the spot being vacated by its current director next month.

Keith will serve as MoDOT's interim director beginning April 23. Keith has been MoDOT's chief engineer since July 2001. In that role, he has led efforts such as the department's Practical Design approach to engineering projects, which has saved $500 million since its implementation and been adopted by several other states, according to a MoDOT news release.

Keith will serve in the interim role until a permanent director is selected. That process will include a national search that could take several months, according to the release.

“Kevin’s vast knowledge and experience make him an excellent choice to lead the department,” said Rudy Farber, chairman of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, in the release. “His steady hand at the helm will allow us to conduct a comprehensive, national search for the next director of MoDOT.”

Keith will replace Pete Rahn, who announced last week that he is retiring in April after more than five years with the department. He will be taking a position with Kansas City engineering firm HNTB Corp.

HNTB is one of several contractors that won a contract last year as a group to replace more than 500 bridges statewide, worth nearly $500 million. The contract is part of the state's 800 Bridges program, estimated to cost more than $700 million in total.

HNTB was paid more than $75 million for 52 MoDOT funded projects during Rahn's time in charge, according to Missouri Digital News, but Rahn told MDN that he did not attempt to influence decisions on projects.

"I have never influenced the decision of a contractor or consultant," Rahn said. "We have allowed the process to take its course and allowed the professionals to choose."[[In-content Ad]]