Regional Planning board discusses possible transportation projects

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, representing seven counties, met Tuesday and reviewed the possibility of receiving additional revenue for transportation projects.

Commissioners discussed a proposed one-cent sales-tax increase for transportation needs, which is moving through the Missouri Legislature. The issue also has been picked up by supporters who filed a petition to put it on the ballot. The petition will not be necessary if the tax is passed by the legislature, though a similar measure has failed before.

Missouri's construction budget for roads and bridges over the last five years has fallen from about $1.3 billion annually to $685 million this year, The Associated Press reported. It is projected to dip to $325 million by the 2017 budget, according to Missouri Department of Transportation director Dave Nichols, the AP reported. It takes $485 million a year just to maintain the state's roads in their current condition, he said.

Meetings for public input on transportation needs in the area to be fixed with revenue generated from the one-cent sales-tax increase will take place in seven Southeast Missouri counties on March 6, 7 and 10. The meetings are open to transportation professionals, such as port and rail operators, and to the public.

MoDOT has hired a consultant to run and publicize the meetings, and the commission will help facilitate them, according to Chauncy Buchheit, executive director for the commission. After public input is gathered and the commission sends it to MoDOT, four regional planning commissions will meet with the department and assist in prioritizing projects.

If the tax were to be on a ballot, a list of high-priority projects would be required.

Commissioners meet every year to discuss important highway projects to be completed within budget and did so few months ago, Buchheit said. The measure requires commissioners once again discuss transportation projects because of the potential additional revenue generated by the new tax revenue. A broader base of transportation modes, such as transit, rail, trial, and airport, will be discussed.

Ozone update

David Grimes, regional planner with the commission, said there has been no change regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's nonattainment status of Perryville, Mo., and Ste. Genevieve, Mo., regarding ozone levels in the air, and no high-ozone days are on the horizon.

Ground-level ozone is an air pollutant that is harmful to breathe, and it damages crops, trees and other vegetation, according the EPA.

Ozone readings in the two counties complied with the EPA's standard of 75 parts per billion during last year's entire ozone season from April 1 to Oct. 31. In 2012, monitors displayed high numbers.

If they're not able to stay in compliance, EPA would designate Perry or Ste. Genevieve counties as a nonattainment area, leading to strict and costly regulations for the building of new plants or expansions.

ashedd@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent addresses:

Perryville, MO

Ste. Genevieve, MO