The Missouri Department of Transportation has taken meaningful steps to help reduce the cost of fulfilling its transportation needs while still taking care of its commuters.  As a result, a recent press release indicates that the Department of Transportation has managed to save a half-billion dollars over the past three years.

The secret?  The Department of Transportation has launched its Practical Design program, which involves customizing their projects to meet specific needs rather than following a generic plan.  This simple plan of actually looking closely at what needs to be done and only completing those projects that need completion has made it possible for the state to save money as well as to have more money available to complete other projects that need to be completed.

The Practical Design program has been such a success that many other states have started talking with Missouri about implementing similar programs in their states.

“Many DOTs across the nation are finding it more and more difficult to work within their budgets due to rising fuel and construction materials costs, growing economic concerns and decreasing state and federal funds,” said MoDOT Chief Engineer Kevin Keith in a press release with PRWeb. “Money is dwindling while the competition for these resources is increasing. That is requiring DOTs to find ways to get the biggest bang for every transportation buck.”