The director of the Missouri Department of Transportation has abruptly stepped down.
Kevin Keith submitted his resignation to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today. He'll take a medical leave of absence and retire on July 1.
"The commission is grateful for his long career of dedicated, results-oriented service to MoDOT and the citizens of Missouri," MHTC chairman Joe Carmichael said in an online statement. "We are committed to a seamless leadership transition for the benefit of our employees, our customers, and our stakeholders."
Keith spent more than 25 years with the department, and was appointed director in November 2010. He was the architect of a MoDOT restructuring plan that led to 1,200 layoffs and the closure of 135 facilities. Recently, he'd been pushing for the Missouri General Assembly to authorize tolls along Interstate 70 to fund needed repairs to the aging highway.
Keith will be replaced on an interim basis by Dave Nichols, the department's chief engineer. Carmichael says Nichols will serve in that role for at least a year.
