The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission announced Nov. 13 Ed Hassinger will step in as the new director of the Missouri Department of Transportation. His leadership at this time will ensure the continuity of MoDOT’s delivery of critical infrastructure projects currently underway and on very tight construction schedules.

"We are delighted that Ed Hassinger has agreed to be MoDOT’s director during this critical time for project execution and the development of our next chapter of MoDOT leadership," said MHTC Chairman W. Dustin Boatwright.  "We are very grateful to the Governor, the General Assembly and to the people of Missouri, who we are accountable to, for the historic funding they have provided to fund so many big infrastructure projects across the state, including expanding I-70 to six lanes across Missouri, improvements to I-44 in preparation for its expansion, replacement or repair of 971 bridges across the state, repaving of Missouri's low volume rural lettered roads, and hundreds of other important transportation projects in MoDOT's $14.6 billion Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan."

"The Commission feels a strong obligation to its many stakeholders and all Missourians to ensure continuity during this time of unprecedented project construction and has prioritized on-time and on-budget execution of the historic number of projects underway now," said Boatwright.  "That requires someone as director who can hit the ground running with years of project management experience and a track record of fostering leadership development.  We are grateful to Ed that he will serve in this role for us to bookend his 40 plus year career with MoDOT."

Director Hassinger holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and is a registered professional engineer. He has dedicated over 40 years of his career to fulfill the mission of MoDOT. He has consistently produced results that have made Missouri a national leader in project delivery, providing great value to Missourians. Hassinger is fully aware of what is necessary and is capable of delivering the projects outlined in the STIP. He is committed to partnering with the General Assembly and industry partners to improve Missouri’s transportation system. He is also committed to MoDOT employees, their development and welfare.    

"It’s my great honor to serve as director and work with the Commission and Missouri’s key transportation stakeholders to ensure we stay on track and on schedule with the historic investment Missouri has made in our infrastructure," said Hassinger.  "I understand and appreciate the importance of meeting the commission's and the public's expectation for delivering the largest transportation program in the state’s history. Fortunately, we are blessed with a world class team of professionals who are currently being battle tested and will be ready to lead the next chapter of MoDOT. I’m thrilled for the trust and opportunity of the commission and look forward to leading during this transformational time period.” 

The commission and Director Hassinger will work collaboratively with a new advisory council to be formed with representatives of the department’s key stakeholders including key elected officials, local planning partners, the MoDOT contractor community, state and local economic development, and others critical to delivering these transportation improvements. Efforts will focus on review and fine-tuning of MoDOT's organization to strengthen its commitment to several key areas of continuous improvement critical to project delivery success and operations.
These include:

• Safety in all operations and project management;
• Outreach to and coordination with state leadership and elected officials to make the STIP process as locally driven as possible with sensitivity to timely local needs as they arise;
• Build even closer partnership with the department's critical private sector contractor community and regional planning partners;
• Recruit and retain the essential and valued MoDOT workforce;
• Increase focus on operational needs to keep MoDOT's system maintained, useable, clean, and responsive to citizen reported upkeep; and,
• Innovate and use technology for the future to maximize efficiency and cost-effective delivery of programs and services.

 "I am committed to working with the Commission and the department's stakeholders through this new advisory council to look for ways to achieve continuous improvement in the Commission’s six key focus areas,” said Hassinger.  “Making these improvements and having accountability to the Commission and to the public for each of them is critical to the success of transportation in Missouri."

Hassinger replaces previous MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna who resigned in September 2024 after serving in the role since December 2015.