JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon formally requested that the state Highways and Transportation Commission provide analysis on utilizing toll roads to improve and expand Interstate 70, an effort that several lawmakers have responded to unkindly.
In a formal letter to Stephen Miller, who chairs the Commission, Nixon requested that they “analyze and provide options for utilizing tolls to address one of our most pressing transportation infrastructure needs – improving and expanding Interstate 70.”
Missouri lawmakers have weighed various funding mechanisms to make improvements on Missouri’s highway system, which is one of the largest in the country despite the state’s size. Last August, voters defeated a measure to temporarily increase sales taxes to fund improvements to roads across the state.
Nixon requested a report from the commission at the end of December, giving the body less than 30 days to provide feedback on the feasibility of allowing private companies to toll I-70 to fund improvements and expansion.
“I’m not a strong advocate for toll roads, especially on 70,” said Senator-elect Dave Schatz, whose Franklin County district would likely see some tolls on its stretch of the interstate. “I don’t see it as a viable option, it wouldn’t be my first choice. We have to find create the revenues and funds to improve our roads, there’s no question. There’s also some questions about whether we can even do it constitutionally, but maybe that’s part of this study.”
Other lawmakers also responded.
“There’s no study that can take place that’s going to be an accurate study between now and the end of the year,” said Rep. Dave Hinson (R-Washington). “That’s not possible. But we also have a Supreme Court ruling that says we can’t toll roads, so we would ultimately have to put it to the people and the people aren’t going to vote for it. It polls horribly. I’m glad [Nixon] has finally come to the table and given some suggestions. Unfortunately, the one he gave us isn’t very palatable, and I look forward to other suggestions at a later time.”
“We need to do something for transportation funding in Missouri” Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer (R-Wellington) said. “But tolling 70 or any other road in Missouri is not acceptable in my opinion. We need some alternative besides tolling. It has been polled time and time again, and it has been in the bottom for polling.”
“As a general rule, toll roads are very unpopular with the public because they feel like they’re being taxed again on things they’ve already paid for,” Senator-elect Bob Onder (R-St. Charles) said. “If there was a new project that required financing, I’d be open to looking at all the various ways to pay for it and a user fee in that context might make sense. But the idea is that citizens don’t want to be taxed again via toll roads for something they’ve paid for already.”
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
