JEFFERSON CITY — On Thursday, Sens. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, John Lamping, R-Ladue, and Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, began the much needed conversation about ways to address Missouri’s long-term need for transportation infrastructure funding. The bill, SB752, would authorize the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to enter into a public-private partnership to finance, reconstruct, and operate I-70. 

“This legislation begins a conversation by the General Assembly that is long overdue,” Sen. Kehoe said. “For too long we have kicked the can down the road as it relates to critical transportation infrastructure improvements. I don’t want to kick the can down the road any longer, because if we do, that road will soon be gravel. Instead, I want to begin real conversations about how to pay for the improvements to a road bed that has long outlived its projected life expectancy and upon which drives more traffic than was ever intended or envisioned. Not only that, rebuilding a dilapidated I-70 will put thousands of Missourians back to work and will ensure that Missouri remains a premier conduit for intrastate commerce.”

“When you look at the transportation needs that Missouri will face in the next 10 years, the tab comes to $20 billion,” Sen. Lamping said. “To solve a problem of this magnitude requires leadership at every level of government. We need the governor, the General Assembly, and the citizens of Missouri to come together and engage in a mature discussion about innovative ways to address this crisis. My hope is that this legislation will start that conversation.”

On Monday, Feb. 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sens. Kehoe and Lamping will host an informational meeting for all interested members of the General Assembly, and their staff, to discuss the current state of transportation infrastructure in Missouri. During this meeting, Sens. Kehoe and Lamping will help define the depth of the funding need and articulate their vision for how the long-term planning process will unfold.

“Time and time again in this building, legislators, within their own party and across the aisles, fail to communicate and those communication failures too often scuttle important ideas and legislation,” Sen. Kehoe said. “This topic is too significant and too important to fall victim to a lack of communication, and this informational meeting is Sen. Lamping’s and my intent to start this conversation effectively.”

“Over the last several years, MODOT has proven to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” Sen. McKenna said. “We need to provide them with the tools for continued improvements to the safety of Missouri’s roads.”

Senate Bill 752 awaits referral to the appropriate Senate committee, where the process of debating and refining the bill will begin.