Issue Position: Building Better Roads

Issue Position

Our system of roads and bridges is crumbling in this state, and we need to act now to ensure that our state road network does not deteriorate further. Despite having a budget of $2.1 billion--up from $1.7 billion in 2004--the Missouri Department of Transportation claimed last year that it was considering only fully maintaining 8,000 of the 34,000 miles of roads in the state. This is unacceptable. We cannot allow towns to be cut off from one another, farmers to be cut off from markets and our state's infrastructure to deteriorate to the point where it holds back Missouri. As Governor, I will work to ensure that we leave a legacy of excellent infrastructure for our children and the future of this state.

Action Plan:
*Comprehensively review MODOT's contracting and procurement practices, in order to ensure that it is driving the hardest bargain on behalf of the taxpayers as possible;

*Free up over $200 million each year in funds from the gas tax to be spent on road construction and maintenance by calling on the General Assembly to fund the Highway Patrol out of general revenue;

*Work for innovation and modernization of infrastructure with the best technology for smart roads, 21st Century ports, and integrated rail, air, river and road transportation;

*Incentivize investments from the private sector in needed infrastructural improvements.

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