But Missouri's transportation funding crisis not over by far
Read more: Local, Transportation, Missouri, Hannibal, Highway 36, Funding, Congress, Bill, Roads
HANNIBAL, MO. -- The Missouri Department of Transportation can now move ahead on dozens of transportation projects that had been put on hold because of uncertain federal funding.
Thursday the President Obama signed a nine month extension to the federal transportation bill. That legislation had expired last September, leaving MODOT officials postponing and canceling bids on projects because of uncertain funding until now.
The new bill brings $243 million in federal transportation money to Missouri this year. Now MODOT officials say it will begin releasing bids in April. That funding will help several projects put on hold in Northeast Missouri...the biggest being the resurfacing of the current Highway 36.
But this latest funding boost doesn't come close in solving Missouri's Transportation funding woes. Much of MoDOT's money for new road construction came from Amendment three dollars, which required all revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax and most of the revenue from the fuel tax to be put toward Missouri road improvements. That was approved in 2004...and its set to expire in 2011.
When that happens virtually all construction will cease until new funding can be found.
Paula Gough, MoDOT District 3 Engineer said, "We've been talking about the cliff for years but it's hard to see it when there are still orange cones and barrels around out there. Those projects are in progress with the help of Amendment three dollars. But the cliff is very real. Even with the funds at the federal level, that's a short term fix. We still have to increase funding for infrastructure so we as a country and as a state can move forward and be prosperous."
If a new funding source is not found, MoDOT will focus on road maintenance to keep up on what roads they already have.
Meanwhile the Missouri Transportation Alliance was formed a year and a half ago with the goal of coming up with a list of road projects needed state-wide. Alliance members met with residents and transportation advocates Friday in Hannibal to gather input.
Folks here emphasized the need for a Hannibal bypass as well as improvements to Highway 19 and a new bridge for Louisiana, Missouri.
The hope is by formulating a feasible, comprehensive plan for transportation that takes into account all ares of Missouri, taxpayers may be willing to further invest in infrastructure.
Transportation Alliance Chairman Bill McKenna said, "It is important, not just to educate legislators, but to educate citizens of the state in particular to educate them about the prospects for the future and what the condition of the roads are today and what they will be like tomorrow if we don't do something. One thing that drives the economy everywhere is the condition of the roads, bridges and other modes of transportation."
Once the Transportation Alliance formulates a plan, it will present it to the Missouri Department of Transportation, who will help advocate for funding and construction.
