STUDY: STATE'S ROADS UNSATISFACTORY

Missouri's roads and bridges are far from satisfactory, and problems will be compounded by a substantial increase in traffic, a new study says.

The study, conducted by The Road Information Program (TRIP), concluded that increased funding for repairs is needed to remedy the situation.

The report was commissioned by the Missouri Transportation Development Council (MTD), a non-profit transportation advocacy group. TRIP issues the report periodically.

Representatives of MTD and TRIP, a Washington, D.C.,-based transportation research firm, discussed the study Wednesday during a press conference at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce building.

The study indicates that 46 percent of Missouri's 22,940 bridges are substandard, seventh-worst in the nation.

Of the more than 29,000 miles of roads, 33 percent are in fair condition and 17 percent are in mediocre condition. Three percent are listed in poor condition.

Fair and mediocre roads, said Bill Outlaw of TRIP, will only become worse if improvements are not made soon.

"If they are not addressed now, ultimately they become poorer and will cost more to fix in the long run," Outlaw said.

Vehicle travel on Missouri roads increased 51 percent from 1985 to 1995, and is projected to rise another 50 percent by 2005, Outlaw said.

Missouri drivers pay $459 million a year in extra operating costs caused by sub-par roads, the study said. That amounts to $128 per driver.

The added costs include increased fuel consumption, tire wear and wear on other automobile components, including power train, body, electrical system and brakes.

While statistics show Missouri's roads and bridges have improved in recent years, the improvements are minor, Outlaw said.

"If the good news is things improved slightly, the bad news is they have not changed enough," he said.

Stan Burnette, MTD's director of operations, said pressure needs to be placed on state leaders to implement a plan to meet the state's road transportation needs.

Copies of the TRIP study have been distributed to legislators, Gov. Mel Carnahan and the Total Transportation Commission, a panel appointed by Carnahan to study transportation needs.

"The Total Transportation Commission needs to make a strong recommendation for transportation in this state to the governor and the legislature," said Burnette.

The state implemented a 15-year road plan in 1992 that outlined major improvements to be funded by a state fuel tax. However, within a few years the plan was shelved because of unrealistic funding projections.

Burnette said the projects in the original plan are still needed and will only become more expensive the longer they are delayed.

The TRIP study only addresses need, not how projects will be funded.

Burnette said residents must determine if the costs are worth the benefits.

"It gets down to how badly do you still want it?" Burnette said.

Among the benefits of implementing road and bridge improvements are economic development and safety.

Outlaw said highway fatalities increased 17 percent in Missouri from 1993 to 1995.

"We're not saying roads cause accidents; we're saying improvements can reduce accidents, and currently those improvements are not being made adequately," Outlaw said.

Upgrading existing two-lane roads to four-lane thoroughfares is cited as a prime way to improve safety. That also allows for better access throughout the state, a key to economic development.

Data for the study came from the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Texas Transportation Institute.