MRPC News Release
Feb. 27, 2006
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
REGION’S TAC DISCUSSES NEED FOR MORE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Rep. Schlottach warns of decrease in dollars because of bond debt service
ST. JAMES—The Missouri Department of Transportation is spending about $1.4 billion a year on transportation projects. That number will drop nearly in half by 2009 when the state begins paying back the bonds that have jump started the state transportation improvements program, and that concerns local leaders and members of the Meramec Regional Transportation Advisory Committee.
“There should be a warning sign on the highway now,” State Rep. Charlie Schlottach of Owensville told members of the MRPC TAC, during its meeting Feb. 9. “If we let this go too far, we’re going to hit a big pothole,” Schlottach added.
Schlottach said replacing the revenue was not something Missouri was going to be able to do alone. “We need the federal government to be a partner like it’s never been before,” Schlottach acknowledged.
The state legislature is looking at new ways to advance transportation projects and is considering a public/private partnership to build a new bridge over the Mississippi at St. Louis. Schlottach noted that he had concerns about the project, but he didn’t have a better solution for building the much needed bridge. He said that increasing transportation revenue to the level needed will most likely require the vote of the people.
TAC members, for several meetings, have been discussing the need for increased transportation revenues statewide and say that MODOT has done a good job improving the state’s transportation system with the funds available. But if those funds fall off, and projects slow down and go undone, the public will not be happy, said TAC Chairman Willard “Decky” Finn of Vienna. “Let’s not wait until we are back to $800 million,” Finn said. “The people will be mad then, when the work stops!”
Finn said that he would like to see a plan to generate transportation revenue in the near future.
Jim Kleffner, Maries County presiding commissioner, said that it is important to point out the savings that result from transportation improvements. For some time now, Kleffner has encouraged MODOT, state and regional leaders and TAC members to consider a statewide transportation funding plan. Kleffner says that improving roads actually saves money because it means less wear and tear on vehicles and that the real cost to taxpayers comes when roads are not maintained.
In other business at its Feb. 9 meeting, the TAC:
• Heard a progress report from Larry Welty of MODOT on the state’s long-range transportation plan, which is a policy plan and not a project plan. “Our process is very heavily customer focused,” Welty said. “I’ve heard some of you say that MODOT is listening and that is our goal.” In order to identify transportation issues, MODOT—through its plan consultant, HNTB—has interviewed more than 100 stakeholders, talked with more than 3,000 people for its benchmark survey and has engaged nearly 120 people through regional working groups that will meet five times to identify issues. Locally, MRPC Executive Director Richard Cavender, Donald Dodd of Salem, TR Dudley of Potosi, Joy Tucker of St. James and Tony Crismon of Pulaski County have been involved in the planning process. The plan is expected to be presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in August.
• Learned that local elected officials along Highway 63, representatives of Fort Leonard Wood and MRPC staff members had met with staff from Sen. Kit Bond’s Columbia and Springfield offices to make them aware of needed improvements to Highway 63 through Missouri. “Stacy Burk and Derek Coats of Sen. Bond’s staff wanted to make sure that everyone was working on the same page,” explained Cavender. Improvements to Highway 63 must be in MoDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan in order for Sen. Bond to consider special funding, he added.
• Learned that presentations on enhancement projects would be heard at the April TAC meeting. Local governments needing more information on enhancement grant opportunities can contact Kelly Sink-Blair, MRPC’s transportation planner.
• Heard reports from Districts 5 and 9, including meetings that are planned to update local leaders on the 26 transportation projects planned along Interstate 44, between Oklahoma and St. Louis, this spring and summer
Willard “Decky” Finn of Vienna chairs the TAC and serves as the TAC liaison on the MRPC board. Persons needing more information on MRPC’s Transportation Advisory Committee may contact Kelly Sink-Blair at MRPC, (573) 265-2993. The group will meet again April 13 at MRPC. Meetings are open to the public.