STATE HIGHWAYS OUTLOOK IS CONSIDERABLY BRIGHTER

A lull in construction of new state highway projects that was brought on by limited state highway money during most of the 1980s has given way to a resurgence of highway and bridge building in Missouri.

A number of significant projects have either been started, soon will start, or are included on the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department's 15-year needs list. In giving priorities to projects on that list, the highway and transportation commission on Friday established a comprehensive schedule for construction of roads and bridges, including two needed projects in the area: continued widening of Highway 60 between Sikeston and Willow Springs and a new road from Interstate 55 to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port north of Scott City.

Both projects are needed as soon as possible. The widening of Highway 60 to four lanes finally would provide a safe, east-west route across southern Missouri something motorists in this part of state have never had and the highway to the port would provide a direct link for truck traffic, alleviating some of the trucks from the main street through Scott City.

Highway officials said much of the total construction that will take place within Southeast Missouri over the next few years will consist of emergency bridge replacements and safety features along highways. Replacement of bridges should be a priority considering the fact that many Missouri bridges, including some on busy state routes, are limited to one-way traffic because of their poor conditions.

Missourians were told that if they voted for a 4-cent increase in the state gasoline tax in 1987, these and other projects including construction of a new Mississippi River bridge and cross-city highway for Cape Girardeau would be built. Voters approved the tax hike, and the highway commission has kept its word by moving the projects along.

Missouri roads outlook is even brighter. The Missouri General Assembly passed a 6-cent state fuel tax increase in response to a new federal highway bill adopted in 1991. The state fuel tax hike, to be phased in over five years, should enable the state to match all federal highway money that will become available under the new federal law.

Highway Commissioner John L. Oliver Jr. of Cape Girardeau called the impact of the first year of the highway bill "fantastic." Over $100 million worth of additional projects were put under contract in the state last year alone, he said. U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond and U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson helped get the federal bill through with provisions to benefit rural states like Missouri.

It's good to see Missouri highway officials following through with needed highway improvements voters were promised five years ago when they passed Proposition A. The dime derived by the added 4-cents, Proposition-A tax and the state-legislature's 6-cent tax over the next five years will go a long way in matching federal highway money, which the state had problems doing during the lull years.