by Mary Wilson
Missouri Department of Transportation’s budgetary shortfalls
have been no secret over the last several years, with attempts at tax increases
turned down by voters and creative planning processes for additional revenue on
the table. However, MoDOT area engineer Matt Killion told members of the
Grandview and South Kansas City Chambers of Commerce last Friday that they’re
making the most of their current funds.
“Transportation funding continues to be a long-term
challenge here in Missouri,” said Killion. “We’ve, in a way, leveled out. We’re
in good shape to maintain what we have today in the condition it is today.”
Missouri has the seventh largest road system in the nation,
but is number 47 in terms of dollars-per-mile funding. The state’s fuel tax has
not seen an increase since 1996. The average Missouri driver pays about $30 per
month in state and federal fuel taxes and fees. When commercial motor vehicle
fees and federal general revenue transfers for transportation are included, the
average climbs to $48 per month. After distributions to other entities that are
required by law, and payment of debt, MoDOT receives less than 60 percent of
these funds to design, build, operate and maintain the system.
“People are also driving more fuel-efficient vehicles,” said
Killion, “which in turn brings less money to MoDOT. We see all the revenues
from the fuel tax, so as drivers are turning to more fuel-efficient vehicles,
that is decreasing.”
Killion said that since the last tax increase, revenues have
outpaced inflation. The cost of concrete for MoDOT has doubled, while asphalt
prices have tripled. Bonds issued in the early 2000s are also being paid back
currently. All of MoDOT’s revenues,
about $2.5 billion, come from state and federal fuel taxes and state
registration and vehicle fees.
“Almost $1 billion of that, right off the top, is
distributed to cities and counties for their road systems,” said Killion. “The
bulk of the rest of the money is spent on our construction program.”
MoDOT has a list of high-priority unfunded needs, including
improvements to I-70 and other projects that spur job creation and economic
activity. To help with the funding shortfalls, a transportation task force,
including Representatives Joe Runions and Greg Razer from the area, was
developed to come up with a plan of action to present recommendations to the
Missouri legislature by the end of this year.
Upcoming MoDOT projects in South Kansas City and Grandview
include: the completion of the 155th Street bridge over I-49 (ribbon cutting scheduled for Friday, December 15, at 11 a.m.),
continued I-470 bridge rehabilitation, I-49 resurfacing from Blue Ridge to 163rd,
71 Highway resurfacing from Bannister to Swope Parkway, and I-435 resurfacing
from Bannister to Stadium. The larger project in the area will be I-435 from
State Line to I-49, the biggest in the district’s 5-year plan, is called the
South Loop Link project.
“This stretch of road (from State Line to I-49) sees 138,000
vehicles per day,” said Killion. “It is the second-most traveled route in the
region.”
The bridges at Holmes and Wornall will be replaced, and a
lane will be added between State Line and 103rd. The $70 million
project will be a design-build, according to Killion, with a fixed-cost, best
value approach. The biggest impact to travelers in the area will be only one
lane of closure at a time for a 60-day period. Construction will take place
over the next two years and wrap up in 2020 with minimal traffic impacts.
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