JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – With the vote 45 days away, the campaign for Amendment 7 is confident in the cause, especially after MoDOT released its project draft list and an outpouring of donations. The draft list includes expanding I-70 to 3 lanes and over 800 other projects throughout the state.
Just today, $50,000 was reported to the MEC by Missourians for Safe Transportation and New Jobs committee.
“Donors understand that Missouri’s roads and bridges are deteriorating and they are motivated to improve safety and create jobs,” Bill McKenna, committee treasurer, told the Missouri Times. “Funding has been halved in the last decade while material costs have increased. Missouri has the 7th largest highway system, but ranks 40th in funding per mile. 2,000 Missouri bridges are structurally deficient and nearly 2/3 are rated only fair or poor. 20,000 miles of roads do not even have shoulders. This is an important decision at a very critical time.”
Hundreds have contributed their feedback to the projects during meetings and online. McKenna said that Missourians can expect further public education efforts from the campaign.
“The campaign for Amendment 7 is energized by the outpouring of public support, robust discussion and involvement in the MoDOT process to prioritize projects for local communities,” McKenna said. “Amendment 7 is accountable to taxpayers. MoDOT will be required to finish every project on the priorities list and, because it is a Constitutional Amendment, the funding cannot be diverted.”
The committee and its supporters are confident in the measure. McKenna said that the bipartisan support for the measure in both chambers, along with its diverse support from industries will make the effort successful.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.