By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor A transportation project list tied to a statewide sales tax measure has been finalized, and now it awaits a decision from voters. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission last Wednesday endorsed a list of more than 800 projects totaling $4.8 billion that would be funded over the next 10 years if voters approve a temporary three-quarter cent sales tax. The initiative, known as Constitutional Amendment 7, is on the Aug. 5 ballot. If approved, 90 percent of the revenue would be for state projects and cities and counties each would receive 5 percent for local projects. The additional funds would have to be used for transportation projects. Under the proposal, the sales tax increase would not be applied to purchases of medicine, groceries and gasoline. Also, fuel taxes would not increase and toll roads would not be implemented over the 10-year period the tax is in place. MoDOT was required to create the list so voters know what projects will be funded if the sales tax measure passes. “The list reflects the priorities of the long-range transportation plan which include taking care of the system, safety, economic development and other transportation choices,” said MoDOT Northeast District Engineer Paula Gough. The statewide list includes reconstructing and widening Interstate 70 to six lanes between Wentzville and Independence, with $500 million to be allocated for the estimated $1.5 billion project. The remaining costs would be covered by other funding sources, MoDOT officials said. In Warren County, the project list includes replacing the Highway 94 bridge over Treloar Creek and the Highway D bridge over a branch of Tuque Creek. Resurfacing projects that have been identified will occur on Highways O, D, W, A and 94. Two other projects making the list include adding a turn lane on Highway M at Pinckney Avenue in Truesdale and improving the sidewalks and intersection at Highway 47 and Route M/MM in Warrenton. The final list was slightly changed from when it was first released in June. Improvements to the Highway 47 interchange were planned, but dropped in hopes they would be included with the statewide I-70 project. The project list was compiled from input provided by regional planning members and transportation partners. Public comments also were accepted in the past month. Officials expect to have around $170 million available to spend in the 17-county Northeast District, which includes Warren County. The figure includes a reduction for inflation. Statewide, the list includes 330 new or improved bridges and 3,255 miles of resurfacing on roads, including 749 miles of wider shoulders that transportation officials said should improve safety. The list also includes improvements for 71 sidewalks, 24 airports, 14 railroads and seven river ports around the state. Missouri last raised taxes for highways in the 1990s by phasing in a motor fuel tax increase. A voter-approved measure shifted existing vehicles sales tax revenues to the highway agency about a decade ago. But this would mark the first time that a general sales tax has been imposed for transportation.
MoDOT project list approved, awaits voter approval
