Kling up for spot on transportation board

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The former chairman of the state Highways and Transportation Commission could once again be making funding decisions for transportation projects.

St. Louis businessman S. Lee Kling left the state commission when his term expired in October. On Friday, his former colleagues are expected to approve him for a board position on the Missouri Transportation Finance Corp.

The corporation, a state entity, awards loans to local transportation projects. It has a balance of around $40 million.

manager for the Missouri Department of Transportation.

While chairman of the transportation commission, Kling also had served as president of the finance corporation. But his departure from the commission automatically removed him from the corporation.

Now Kling is up for one of three at-large positions on the eight-member finance corporation. He would replace Robert Jones, another former transportation commissioner.

The finance corporation controls an account of federal and state money that is loaned to local groups willing to foot part of the bill. The corporation funds typically allow projects to be completed sooner than scheduled.