MODOT FAVORS RURAL PROJECTS FOR FUNDING

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission tried to make a decision of how it spends construction funds that would appease both urban and rural areas. In the process, future rural projects came out ahead -- marginally -- but wound up with less of the pie than outstate improvements had been receiving.

As recently as 1992, some 60 percent of the Missouri Department of Transportation's funding was earmarked for rural projects. Since then, the gap has narrowed. Now, in addition to regular construction funds that come from the usual state sources, the department is considering how to spend some $2 billion-plus in bond revenue authorized by the Missouri Legislature last year.

MoDOT is certainly aware that the legislative clout is in the state's two biggest urban areas, St. Louis and Kansas City. As a result, there has been a lot of seesawing among commission members about how to split the funds.

Within the department, professional staff recommendations currently lean toward a needs-based split rather than a geographic split. By the department's own calculations, more dollars are needed in rural areas to meet the most pressing needs.

But some highway commissioners, cognizant of the political sensitivity of urban legislators, held out for an even 50-50 split.

Give the commissioners credit: Advocates on both sides of the funding issue have readily acknowledged it would be virtually impossible to make a decision that would please everyone.

This week the commission did its best to make a Solomon-like decision. It agreed to the even split on regular construction funds and a 60 percent rural-to- 40 percent urban split on the bond funds. Together, this means rural projects will get 54 percent of highway construction funds overall over the next few years, which tips the money in favor of the department's assessment that rural areas have the most pressing needs.

The shadow over this plan, of course, is how to back bond money once it has been used on highway projects. When the legislature authorized the bonds, it did so with the hope that future elected officials would come up with a payback plan. This week, a bill authorizing a $600 million-a-year tax increase for transportation needs was introduced. There may be other proposals as well, and there will certainly be plenty of debate before the session ends.

As far as the state's taxpayers are concerned, transportation funding is likely to be the single most costly decision in Jefferson City this year. If they have any pocketbook concerns, voters should be giving highway funding careful consideration.