Illinois
is not the only state where increasing vehicle fuel economy and tax averse
state legislators are combining to leave secondary roads and bridges in
deplorable condition. Missouri road fund revenue has plummeted from $1.3
billion in 2009 to only $800 million anticipated in 2017, leaving 30% of the
state’s less traveled roads in poor condition, and 22% of the state’s bridges
in poor repair or weight restricted.
A
particular sore spot is the need to rebuild 200 miles of interstate between St.
Louis and Kansas City, at an estimated cost of $2 billion to $4 billion.
Missouri’s motor fuel tax rate of $0.17/gallon has not gone up in 20 years, and
voters are opposed to any increase at present. Combined with more miles per
gallon from modern cars and trucks, the revenue decline for road and bridge
maintenance has been dramatic. Last year the Missouri House failed to even take
up a bill to increase the motor fuel tax rate.
Declining
revenues have already forced MDOT to cut the highway maintenance workforce by
20%, close repair shops and sell off highway maintenance equipment, shifting
$100 million to bandage the highway repair budget. Legislators have even
suggested transferring many miles of back roads from state to county responsibility,
but such a move would undoubtedly increase maintenance costs per mile of road
by denying county and local governments the advantages of statewide quantity
purchases of paving materials.
No
one has yet figured out how to build and repair more miles of road with fewer
dollars.
