Transportation is one of the most important, though often overlooked, elements of Missouri’s economy. Strong infrastructure keeps citizens safe, helps commerce flow freely, and allows us to take advantage of our state’s natural and historic attractions.
Despite its importance, our transportation infrastructure is woefully underfunded and at the same time decaying. Of Missouri’s 10,400 bridges, 895 have been rated as deficient, meaning they require significant investment. Based on this year’s revenues, repairing these bridges would consume the entirety of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) construction budget for the next two years.
According to former MoDOT director Kevin Keith, if nothing is done to repair I-70, it will be a “gravel parking lot” in only 10 to 15 years. Allowing this major traffic corridor to deteriorate will result in stalled commerce and unsafe driving conditions.
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To reverse Missouri’s funding shortfall, the House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution (HJR) 68, sponsored by Representative Dave Hinson (R – St. Clair). HJR 68 is a proposed constitutional amendment that, upon voter approval, would generate around $800 million annually for our state’s transportation needs through atemporary one-percent sales tax. The tax would be levied for ten years unless reauthorized by voters.
The funds generated through this legislation would be allocated to a County Aid Transportation Fund, Municipal Aid Transportation Fund, and Safety and Job Creation Fund. Dividing the revenue guarantees Missourians that local, county, and statewide transportation needs would be met. Moreover, the law specifies that money would be distributed throughout the state based on a variety of factors including population and road mileage, ensuring that all corners of Missouri receive their fair share of funding.
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Increased transportation funding is desperately needed throughout the state. Even though Missouri has a larger highway system than Illinois and Kansas combined, our transportation budget was only one-third the size of Illinois’ in 2013.
From 2005 to 2010, MoDOT’s annual construction budget was $1.3 billion, but this year it was only $685 million. The department projects it will fall to $325 million by 2017. At this funding level, MoDOT would not even be able to maintain the state’s existing highway system.
Missouri has the skilled workforce to export goods across the nation, the natural beauty and historic legacy to become a tourism hub, and the innovative schools to attract the best and brightest minds. These goals, however, hinge on our state possessing efficient, safe, and modern infrastructure. If approved by the Senate, HJR 68 will give voters the power to create a safer and more efficient transportation network to meet the needs of future Missourians.