State's construction contracts set record

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A record $908 million in construction contracts and revenues of more than $1 billion highlight the state Department of Transportation's annual report released Wednesday.

The report, covering the department's operations from July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2001, includes goals and major projects completed by the department for the last fiscal year.

Total revenue for the 2001 fiscal year was more than $1.8 billion with total expenditures of $1.6 billion. The department received more than $763 million in federal revenue and $255 million from bonds.

For roads and bridges, the department received more than $653 million from fuel taxes, $305 million from licenses and fees and another $206 million from sales and use taxes.

The report said about 61 percent of the money went to state highways, with the rest going to counties, cities and other state agencies.

The report lauds the department's work on Interstate 70, Bruce R. Watkins Drive in Kansas City, Route 61 and Route 71 and the Bill Emerson Bridge in Cape Girardeau.

Major legislation passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Bob Holden included increased fines for drivers who speed in work zones and lowering the blood-alcohol content for drunken drivers from 0.10 to 0.08.

Transportation director Henry Hungerbeeler noted that MoDOT's responsibilities not only include roads but also rail, aviation and waterways.

"Our job doesn't end with highways," he said.

The report comes just two weeks before lawmakers return to work. When legislators arrive in Jefferson City Jan. 9, transportation is expected to be a key issue.

Last year's efforts failed. Transportation officials, citing a fear over too much debt, plan to issue less than half of the $2.25 billion in highway bonds that lawmakers authorized in the 2000 session.

The Department of Transportation, which received less money than expected last year through taxes and fees, says it needs $1 billion more annually to meet all of Missouri's transportation needs.

Some key lawmakers are considering a tax increase to spur transportation projects. The department has prepared a 10-year plan showing what would be accomplished with no new money, and what could be done with another $200 million, $400 million or $600 million annually.

At crossroads

"Today, Missouri stands at a crossroads," Hungerbeeler said. "We want to meet the state's transportation needs in a first-class manner, but our current resources are insufficient. The decisions Missourians make in the coming months will affect the state of the transportation system for years to come."

Forty-five other states receive more revenue per mile than Missouri and about half of those get at least twice as much per mile, he said.