BRIDGE: OLIVER SAYS TOLL CONCEPT IMPLAUSIBLE

A toll bridge for Cape Girardeau? A member of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission said Saturday that news accounts of such a consideration are exaggerated.

Cape Girardeau attorney John L. Oliver Jr., a commission member, said an Associated Press account of the meeting took comments made by Chief Highway Engineer Wayne Muri about considering toll bridges out of context.

But a news release Friday from the Highway and Transportation Department indicated that the concept of tolls had been discussed by the commission as a funding source.

Oliver explained that in discussing the status of the bridge projects at Cape Girardeau and Hannibal, Muri had outlined some of the delays in securing funding commitments from Illinois for that state's half of the construction costs. When asked about innovative ways that might be considered to fund the bridge, Oliver said Muri mentioned toll bridges.

"But the intent of his comments was not to suggest that we should look at toll bridges," said Oliver.

Under the Missouri Constitution, the state is prohibited from operating toll roads and bridges in Missouri. However, there is authority for special districts to fund road and bridge projects by tolls.

"Wayne has always been optimistic that Illinois will use its ISTEA money to pay is half of the match and their half of the bridges at Cape and Hannibal," said Oliver. "But he said Friday he was significantly less comfortable with that feeling."

Muri said it seems "less and less likely" that Illinois will come up with its share of federal funds for projects in a timely fashion.

Oliver said Muri's comment was "a throw away" and was only "an example of the kind of thing that can be done if all else fails ... it is not something he meant to put on the table for discussion."

Local officials were stunned by the reports of a toll bridge, and expressed strong opposition for the concept, saying it should only be treated as a last resort.

"The days of toll bridges have long gone. We have got to find some way to get money from Illinois without toll bridges," said Bob Hendrix, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce.

"The people who will catch the brunt of a toll bridge are citizens of Cape and those in the trade area who come here and work and spend money every day. That's who you penalize."

Hendrix and George Hathhorn, chairman of the chamber's surface transportation committee, both point out that Missouri's share of funding for the bridge here was included in Proposition A, approved by voters in 1987, increasing the gas tax six cents a gallon.

Hendrix said any serious discussion about a toll bridge "is a betrayal of Proposition A. We understood and were told Proposition A would fund that bridge. I understand the Illinois problem, but it's still a betrayal."

Added Hathhorn: "It is just astounding that this would even be offered as an alternative. Why should we build a toll bridge when this was to be funded through Proposition A funds? We are already paying fuel taxes after having helped pass Prop A. Now they want a toll bridge where the citizens of this community will have to pay the cost of that bridge. That's double taxation."

The department news release noted: "Unless Illinois becomes more cooperative about funding for new Mississippi River bridges at Cape Girardeau and Hannibal, Missouri may consider the options of postponing the bridges or financing them with tolls."

The release also said the highway commission "authorized exploring all alternatives next week in talks between the Missouri and Illinois transportation departments. The commission emphasized Missouri and Illinois are still discussing the funding issues and a decision on postponement, tolls or other alternatives will be made later."

Muri indicated that bridges have historically been paid for equally by Missouri and Illinois, but in the case of these two bridges, the states disagree over the source of funds. Muri added that the problem is caused by major changes in federal funding since the agreement for the two bridges was made in 1986.

The Associated Press reported that Commission Chairman Harry Morley of St. Louis told Muri to pursue the topic of toll bridges with Illinois.

"We've got to have a means of jockeying Illinois into coming up with what we feel is their share," Morley said. "We want to complete these bridges and we want to pressure the state of illinois to commit to some program to complete these bridges."

Oliver said the Missouri highway commission has some strong leverage to use with Illinois since that state wants bridge projects completed in the St. Louis area. Oliver said any action by Missouri on those projects will take four commission votes votes that may be lacking without a commitment from Illinois on funding for the Cape and Hannibal bridges.

Oliver added that Illinois needs to have its money committed by June 1995 when contracts are to be awarded on the bridges. The bridge at Cape is estimated to cost $76 million.

"A toll bridge is not in the picture," summed up Oliver. "It is not something the commission is going to look at. We have other alternatives to look at."

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said he doesn't like the toll bridge idea, but is upset that Illinois won't come up with its share of funding.

Said Kinder: "I don't like the option of the toll bridge. Hopefully this will get the attention of Illinois officials. Frankly, I am puzzled why they are not prepared to commit. They made out very well in the highway bill last year, better than Missouri. I don't understand why they can't commit the funds."

Walt Wildman, executive director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, said he is cool to the toll idea. He and other officials question whether revenue from reasonable toll charges would be able to pay off the bridge.

"My initial reaction to tolls is a little irritating; I wonder what's going on. I was under the impression this bridge is in a whole new pocket of money," said Wildman. "It is almost like they are running the idea up the flag pole seeing who will salute it. I say, don't salute it."

Jerry Reppert of Anna, president of the Union County Economic Development Corp., said his group feels the new bridge is important and is encouraging Illinois officials to commit the state's share.

"It is the position of our group that we are in favor of the state of Illinois moving as rapidly as possible to insure the construction of the bridge," said Reppert. "We have written numerous letters to our representatives and the Department of Transportation to try and get them to expedite the funding.

"We do feel the bridge will be a positive step for all of Southern Illinois. We want to see it built. We're working as hard as we can on this end."

Harry Rediger, chairman of the board of the Cape Girardeau chamber, said a toll concept should only be a last resort. "Paying a toll would be a penalty Missourians pay for a lack of participation by Illinois," said Rediger. "We desperately need that bridge and need to look at every method we can to get it."