Bridge plan may be delayed by lack of funds

ST. LOUIS -- New state funds for an Interstate 70 bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis would be delayed until after 2008 under a proposal before the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

The proposal sent to commissioners Thursday was part of a five-year spending blueprint whose main goals are to maintain the existing network of highways and bridges and finish projects already on the books. The proposal was triggered by voters' overwhelming rejection of the Proposition B transportation tax in August.

In addition to eliminating funding for the I-70 bridge, the plan could scale back work on Highway 40 (Interstate 64) and Highway 21 in the St. Louis area.

Commissioners took no action Thursday.

The five-year plan for 2004-2008 would give the state $1.36 billion to stay on top of maintenance needs and finish projects promised in a gas tax measure passed by Missouri voters in 1987.

Kevin Keith, MoDOT chief engineer, said the department will tell local planning groups that the state has $340 million to $380 million in 2004. The regions would be asked which maintenance and projects would need funding.

In the St. Louis area, the projects promised since 1987 include upgrading 2.5 miles of Highway 40 from Skinker Boulevard to Interstate 170, improving Interstate 70 in St. Charles County, and reworking a section of Highway 21 in Jefferson County.