The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has approved its new 2013-2017 construction program that has dropped to about $700 million per year from an average of $1.2 billion per year.

In a news release, state officials say MODOT must now deal with the stark reality of funding levels that will barely take care of the existing transportation system.

On July 11 the commission approved the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.  The program includes all transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2013 through 2017 (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2017).

Officials say the $700 million program allows for some resurfacing projects and general maintenance of the existing transportation system, but cannot incorporate the types of construction projects that create jobs, increase safety, ease congestion or foster economic development.

Last year, MoDOT implemented the Bolder Five-Year Direction, which is reducing the number of employees, equipment and facilities in order to save the department $512 million by 2015. In fact, without the savings generated from the Bolder Five-Year Direction, this year’s transportation program would have been less than $600 million.

“We’ve been talking about diminishing revenue streams since 2006 and we’ve taken action,” said MoDOT Director Kevin Keith in a news release. “The Bolder Five-Year Direction implemented last year helps, but the reality is we can’t cut our way to an improved transportation system.”

The STIP is available at MODOT’s Web site here.