JETTON TO WALK TO CAPITOL FOR ROADS

JACKSON, Mo. -- State Rep. Rod Jetton of Marble Hill plans to walk off his concerns about Missouri's road problems.

The Republican lawmaker plans to walk the 255 miles from Jackson to Jefferson City to deliver a petition demanding state highway commissioners finish 10 promised highway projects under the old 15-year road plan.

Jetton also wants state lawmakers to oppose any new taxes for transportation until the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is reorganized to reduce waste and provide more accountability of tax dollars.

The petition calls on the state to finish work on improving highways 67, 60, 34, 72, 50, 160, 412, 63, 21 and 8.

Jetton plans to begin his trek at noon Wednesday from the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson. He hopes to reach the state Capitol at 5 p.m. on July 27 with the petitions. He said he already has collected a few thousand signatures on the petitions.

The highway commission scrapped the 15-year plan for lack of funding. But Jetton said the state can afford to do the projects even if it has to be done over a longer period of time.

Missouri received $500 million more in the state gasoline-tax and federal money last year than originally had been projected in the 15-year plan, Jetton said.

Rep. Jetton's Missouri Walk

Wednesday

Jackson to Marble Hill, 19.5 miles, starting at noon at the Cape Girardeau Courthouse and ending at 5 at the Marble Hill City Hall.

Thursday

Marble Hill to Silva, 32.7 miles, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. at the junction of highways 34 and 67.

Friday

Silva to Fredericktown, 30.4 miles, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. at the Madison County Courthouse.

Saturday

Fredericktown to Farmington, 19.3 miles, starting at 7 and ending at noon at the Farmington Park.

Sunday

No walking.

Monday

Farmington to Potosi, 24.7 miles, starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse.

July 24

Potosi to Steelville, 35.8 miles, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. at the Crawford County Courthouse.

July 25

Steelville to Rolla, 31 miles, starting at 5 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. at the University of Missouri-Rolla.

July 26

Rolla to Freeburg, 35.1 miles, starting at 7 a.m. with a stop at the Maries County Courthouse at Vienna at 1 p.m. and ending at 6 p.m. at the Freeburg City Hall.

July 27

Freeburg to Jefferson City, 26.7 miles, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. at the state Capitol.