Gough To Retire From MoDOT After 28 Years

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 By Mark Requet 

NEMOnews Media Group 

Shelby County resident Paula Gough is retiring from MoDOT after over 28 years of service, with just under 18 years as the District Engineer for Northeast Missouri. 

Gough started out as an intern in the Statewide Material’s Office in the summer of 1994 and that really piqued her interest in MoDOT. 

“Getting to intern with MoDOT gave me an opportunity to see the variety of tasks and responsibilities that MoDOT has,” said Gough. “Getting to work in, with and for the communities where I grew up, have lived and travel through really interested me. 

She started full-time in 1995 in the district office in Macon as a Highway Designer. She had a brief break from MoDOT, when she worked for an engineering consultant doing county bridge design. Gough has worked in Highway Design, Planning, and Project Manager. 

She was named as the Northeast District Engineer on May 1, 2007, which came with many responsibilities. 

The District Engineer is responsible for all aspects of design, construction, and maintenance of the state highway system in the 17 counties. 

“Getting to work with the dedicated public servants of MoDOT has been a blessing. These are the dedicated people who take care of all aspects of Missouri’s transportation system.” 

The people, such as her co-workers at MoDOT and the residents of Northeast MO are what Gough enjoyed the most about her job. 

“Getting the opportunity to work with our communities to plan for the future and address their transportation needs,” stated Gough. “All of us travel on these roadways for ball games, work and visiting friends and family. The transportation system is critical to all aspects of our lives.” 

Trying to balance the needs and concerns of 17 counties and work with available resources to accomplish everything that people and communities want, and need has been one of the more challenging aspects of her job. 

But the increase of drivers being distracted by their phones and other technology is something that has been a big change over the past 30 years. 

“This is a risk to everyone traveling on the highways and is especially challenging for those working on the highways,” said Gough. “Technology has also provided positive changes. The development and utilization of the Traveler Information Map allows more timely and accurate sharing of impacts on the highway system.” 

When asked if the job has been rewarding, Gough said, “Most definitely.” 

“It is rewarding to have a part of completing several major projects, such as four-laning U.S. 63 and U.S. 36, the new bridge at Louisiana, Mo., and many smaller projects,” stated Gough. “Doing what I can to encourage safer driving behavior for teens and all ages has been rewarding but also is still concerning with the percent of drivers in NEMO who are NOT buckling their seat belt every time they travel.” 

It was also a blessing to know how dedicated Gough’s co-workers were to their jobs. Fighting snow and winter weather 24 hours a day she said is tiring and challenging, but the snowplow operators and all the staff supporting that effort exemplify dedicated public servants. 

As for retirement, Gough plans to take some time off but continue in some aspect of engineering for a few more years. 

“I have plenty of quilting projects and gardening that need some attention,” added Gough. 

Paula met her husband, Scott, while they were in Engineering School at Mizzou. They will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this summer. The couple has lived in the Shelbina area since they were married, where they raised their family of four children. Their oldest daughter, Emma, is a pharmacist. Mildred recently graduated from Mizzou Nursing. Kayl is in his first year at Truman State in Nursing and Carson is a Junior at South Shelby. 

“It has and continues to be a blessing to live in Shelby County,” said Gough. “We are members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and I look forward to having a little more time for volunteering at church and in the community.”