(Jefferson City, MO) – Senator Rick Brattin, joined by a group of fellow senators, has issued a formal letter calling for greater accountability and improved performance from the Missouri Department of Transportation following widespread concerns over inadequate snow removal across the state.
For the second consecutive winter, communities from every region of Missouri experienced delayed or nonexistent snow and ice treatment on major roadways. Forecasts clearly indicated that inclement weather would begin overnight, yet many Missourians reported seeing no plows, no pretreatment, and no early efforts to keep roads passable during the most hazardous hours. MoDOT operates with more than $3.1 billion in taxpayer-generated revenue each year, and its FY 2026 budget totals $3.56 billion. With resources of this magnitude, Missourians deserve winter preparedness that meets the basic expectations of public safety.
Senator Brattin emphasized that Missourians deserve dependable service from the agencies their tax dollars fund.
“When we all knew bad weather was coming, Missourians had every right to expect MoDOT to be ready,” Brattin said. “Our roads were not prepared, our plows were not deployed, and our citizens were put at risk. This is not about politics. It is about public safety and basic competence. MoDOT has to do better, and we are demanding a clear plan to ensure this does not happen again.”
The letter sent today requests a written explanation of MoDOT’s operational decisions during the recent storm, as well as a detailed plan for how the department intends to prevent similar failures in future winter events. The senators also asked for a timeline for implementing corrective measures.
Brattin noted that calling for accountability is not adversarial, but necessary.
“We want MoDOT to succeed,” Brattin said. “We want the people of Missouri to have safe and reliable roads. That starts with honest answers and real improvements.”
The coalition of senators stated they will continue working together to ensure that winter road management meets the expectations of the people they serve.
Click the link below to view a copy of the letter sent to MODot.
Senator Brattin Letter to MODot Leadership
