MoDOT Makes Push to Sell Property It No Longer Needs

JEFFERSON CITY – In an effort to put more money into road and bridge projects, the Missouri Department of Transportation is taking an aggressive approach to selling excess property it owns. The transportation department acquires land to build, improve, and maintain the highway system. As the transportation system evolves, some land is no longer needed.

“We want to provide the best value we can to Missouri taxpayers by selling our excess property and using the proceeds for highway improvements,” Kelly Lucas, director of MoDOT’s Right of Way Division, said. “Our new Realty to Roads initiative will help us manage the property we own more effectively and efficiently.”

Lucas said the land for sale could be assembled with adjoining properties or in some cases be developed independently. In fiscal year 2008, the agency sold 112 properties at a value of more than $4.4 million. The receipts were added to MoDOT’s budget for road and bridge projects.

Under the Realty to Roads initiative, the agency has contracted with two private firms for real estate marketing and consulting services. White & Associates and Richard C. Shepard, Real Estate Strategies will help MoDOT sell selected parcels of excess land that range in size from less than an acre to 160 acres.

An initial list of excess property for sale can be found at http://www.modot.org/realtyforsale/index.htm