ALLIANCE SUPPORTING BOND'S HIGHWAY BILL

POPLAR BLUFF -- When Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Missouri, introduced a bill Wednesday morning that calls for a more ambitious and flexible federal highway plan, an alliance of more than 30 major state-wide organizations already were pledging support.

Jim Seigfreid, chairman of the newly formed Missouri Federal Transportation Alliance, said Bond's highway plan has stirred enthusiasm in communities throughout the state, partially because Bond's plans calls for doubling Missouri's share of federal construction and maintenance dollars.

"This is the first time in many years that such diverse interests have come together to pursue a genuine federal-state partnership on transportation," Seigfreid said. "It's exciting because a new federal Surface Transportation Act, as proposed by Senator Bond, will not only be fair to Missouri, but good for the entire nation."

In a conference interview with Bond, he said Missouri gets about $250 million a year, or 85 cents on the dollar from the federal Highway Trust Fund. If his proposed bill passes, that figure will increase to about $400 million the first year, along with an increase of $1.4 billion over the next five years.

Bond also said Missouri is one of 19 states getting the minimum allocation of 85 cents.

With the additional funds, Bond said the state can "be more flexible and respond to needs," such as bridges. Missouri, he said, is ranked the second worst in the nation for unsafe bridges.

Of particular interest to this area, would be expanding Highway 60 into a four-lane.

"We need good east-west transportation from Springfield to Sikeston," Bond said. "In southern Missouri, where tourism is important, this would ease congestion."

Also included in highway improvements in Bond's proposal is that Highway 63, running from West Plains to Willow Springs, be made into a four-lane.

Bond said local engineers would have more insight into when construction on the highways could begin, but added that "at best" the work could begin in October 1992. "That's when the money would first kick in," he said.

Such funds allocated throughout the state in the Surface Transportation Act would be in addition to funds already being received through Proposition A, Bond said. He added, though, that Missouri "may have to add revenue to match funds."

Congressman Bill Emerson also will be involved in working on the bill, Bond said.

"Emerson is in a critically important position in the House to help," he said.

Wayne Muri, chief engineer for the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department and vice chairman of the ad hoc alliance, said if Bond's plan is adopted, the state can begin to address critical highway and bridge needs that are not included in long-term construction plans due to lack of funding.

"Missouri has a clear definition of what it needs to do to be competitive, to relieve congestion, increase safety and improve our overall quality of life," Muri said. "We've identified those needs and solutions in a comprehensive 10-year highway study that details literally hundreds of critical projects that are long overdue."

Muri is a member of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), which drafted many of the principles upon which Senator Bond's proposal is based.

Jo Frappier, president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, one of 30 groups in the alliance, said, "Modernizing Missouri's transportation connections to regional and national markets will clearly result in millions of dollars of added value to the state's economy, plus thousands of new jobs."

"Missouri still has a long way to go before it can start addressing many overdue local projects," Seigfreid said. "But Senator Bond's proposal is a major step in that direction."

Other group members of the alliance include the Missouri Safety Council, Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri State Troopers Association, Missouri Travel Council and the Missouri Industrial Development Council, plus banking, construction, retail and labor organizations.