The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) in the US has submitted its ‘Tough Choices Ahead’ plan to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to renovate roads and bridges with a reduced construction budget.

‘Missouri’s 325 System’ calls for the department to focus its limited resources on about 8,000 miles of the state’s 34,000-mile state highway system, which make up the state’s primary roads.

The system ensures that every county has at least one highway that would be included as a primary route.

"We need at least $485m to maintain roads and bridges in the condition they are today, so facing a $325m budget means making some tough choices."

MoDOT plans to keep the primary roads in the good condition with maintenance and rehabilitation work such as overlays and bridge replacements by using its annual construction budget, which is expected to decline to $325m in 2017.

Limited routine maintenance will be provided for the remaining miles of roads and bridges that will make up the state’s supplementary system.

The department’s work will include filling potholes, patching pavement and flushing and sealing bridge decks.

MoDOT director Dave Nichols said: "We need at least $485m to maintain roads and bridges in the condition they are today, so facing a $325m budget means making some tough choices.

"In addition, Missouri won’t be able to match federal funds in 2017, which provides a $4 to $1 investment. That revenue will be lost to other states.

According to MoDOT, the focus on the primary and supplementary roads differs as the major roads making up 20% of the system and carrying 80% of traffic is confined to limited areas of the state.