By Jimmy Potts,
Record Managing Editor
As the debate over making Interstate 70 a toll road continues to build so does opposition from state and local officials.During the annual post-session breakdown at First State Community Bank in Warrenton, state Sen. Jeannie Riddle said Missouri legislators have until the end of the year to convince MoDOT not to toll I-70.“We have until the end of the year for MoDOT to try to pursue, or not pursue, toll roads,” she said. “Our goal is that they don’t pursue that. They would have to request that from the federal government and the feds would have to approve that.”Riddle said she and state Rep. Bart Korman have already began rallying other elected officials along I-70, building a coalition of anti-toll state senators and representatives.“Bart and I are going to send a letter to MoDOT, as well as enlisting my fellow colleagues along the corridor and send a letter that MoDOT not pursue it further,” Riddle said.The latest discussion over making I-70 a toll road began in 2011, when MoDOT officials were seeking a funding mechanism to extensively restore one of Missouri’s most traveled roads. One solution bandied about by MoDOT officials is raising the gas tax, another is tolling I-70. Should MoDOT not make a request to the federal government to toll I-70 in December, then it can request a year extension to further examine the issue.“We are hoping that, with letters from fellow legislators, they not pursue that year extension request,” Riddle said. “If we manage to get through December without an extension request and without an approval, then the toll roads are a done deal. That is the plan.”The push to prevent the toll road goes beyond state legislators. During the May 25 Truesdale Board of Aldermen meeting, Truesdale Mayor Murray Bruer said officials with many Warren County municipalities are making a similar effort at the local level. Although he would later admit that plans for an anti-toll coalition at the local level is in its infancy, he added further meetings with other local officials will quickly generate momentum.From left, state Reps. Bart Korman, Bryan Spencer, state Sen. Jeannie Riddle and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer discuss a potential toll road at I-70. Jana Todd photo.
