SENATE REPORT
 Senator John Loudon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- October 22, 2003

SEN. JOHN LOUDON SUPPORTS MoDOT'S EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT TOLL ROADS IN MISSOURI

JEFFERSON CITY - State Sen. John Loudon, R-West St. Louis County, believes that the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is finally heading in the right direction with the department's announcement that it may implement toll roads in order to fund highway improvements.

Loudon is a long-time supporter of toll roads, and plans to reintroduce legislation in 2004 that would enable Missouri to institute toll roads.

"Tight budgets at both the national and state levels are forcing us to look at alternatives funding solutions for our transportation problems," said Loudon. "Toll roads now operate successfully in the majority of states, and have allowed these states to improve their infrastructure system without raising taxes. We are missing the point by flat disallowing them. They are a tool that our road planners ought to have in their belt."

At a recent public hearing in Columbia, Henry Hungerbeeler, director of MoDOT, said that tollbooths on Interstate 70 at the Illinois and Kansas borders could be part of the solution to fixing that road.

According to Loudon, toll roads are an alternative to a sales tax increase or higher gas taxes.

"Our infrastructure problems have reached a crisis level," Loudon said. "We can't keep ignoring the situation and hoping it will get better all by itself. It's time to take action."

Since toll roads can only be implemented through a change in the state constitution, during the 2004 Legislative Session Loudon plans to introduce legislation that would allow voters to decide whether the Highways and Transportation Commission to develop and operate toll facilities.

Loudon will also introduce a companion bill that if the voters approve toll roads, would allow the Highways and Transportation Commission to fund, construct and operate toll roads and bridges in Missouri.

"Once constructed, the revenue generated from the toll facilities would pay for the repairs and continued maintenance as well as the facilities themselves," said Loudon. "This gives the state another option of revenue besides taxation."