LETTERS: BOND HELPED BROKER HIGHWAY FUNDS

To the editor:

As of this past Sept. 30, federal funds for highways, transit and safety programs stopped, threatening Missouri's transportation construction program. For months, front-page headlines warned of the consequences that would occur if a short-term bill was not approved. Fortunately for our state as well as the rest of the nation, U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond played a key role as a member of the Senate Transportation Committee to broker a compromise bill to allow federal transportation funds to flow to the states through the end of March.

Missouri's federal high program is providing funding for 17,222 jobs in 1997. Over 72 percent of $137 billion worth of goods were transported on our state's highways from sites in Missouri. The cessation of federal transportation funds would, over time, have resulted in construction delays and significant job losses and would have had and adverse impact on safety programs and transit operations.

Bond's leadership and efforts saved thousands of jobs, ensured that the delivery of vital infrastructure projects would stay on schedule and made sure transportation safety programs will remain in place.

BRUCE A. WYLIE, Executive Director

Consulting Engineers Council of Missouri

Jefferson City