Driving downhill

Motorists in a four-state area doubled their displeasure when it comes to their opinions of highway conditions, according to a poll conducted by the American Automobile Association.

AAA members from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Indiana responded to the poll, which showed that 24 percent of motorists rated highway conditions in the region as poor. That's up 13 percent from an identical poll that was conducted two years ago, said Mike Wright, vice president of public affairs for AAA.

Some locals who weren't polled agree.

"They're not very good," said Eston Mayfield of Patton, Mo., who commutes 25 miles a day to work. "There's always ridges and potholes. It seems they could do a better job of maintenance."

Only 29 percent rated the highways good, compared to 47 percent two years ago.

Of the 3,000 who participated in the poll, 2,166 responded from Missouri.

Show Me negativity

The Missouri results were slightly less favorable than those of the four-state study. Twenty-six percent of the polled Missourians thought the highways were good and another 26 percent thought they were poor. The majority, 46 percent, rated them as fair.

The poll gets attention not only from drivers, but those with special interests in the conditions of state highways.

State Rep. Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, walked from Jackson, Mo., to Jefferson City on rural roads in July to make a point about poor highway conditions.

During the hike, Jetton talked to hundreds of people who were upset with the state's deteriorating roads.

"Everybody is starting to realize how bad the highway situation is getting," he said.

That's why Jetton was perplexed by the AAA poll results concerning a tax increase. Forty-seven percent of the Missourians who responded to the survey said they would support a gasoline increase for highway maintenance and improvements.

Jetton said a poll of 800 Missourians conducted by the Republican Party in Missouri found the number wasn't nearly that high. He also said Southeast Missouri had the lowest percentage of supporters of a tax hike.

"Roads are their No. 2 concern statewide, and that's unusual compared to other states," Jetton said. "But as I talk to voters, people realize MoDOT probably needs more money, and they're willing to pay more if it will go to fixing their road. But there's a lot of mistrust out there, and it's a big dilemma in Missouri."

Representative Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, agreed.

"I think it goes back to having credibility," Crowell said. "The 15-year plan has been out there since the mid-80s, and there was too much on the plate. Projects came in over budget and the money was just not there. We have to gain the trust of the people that dollars we take are spent wisely."

Going the wrong way

The AAA poll also notes that more people say the state's highways are getting worse -- 36 percent -- instead of better -- 21 percent -- over a three-year span. Only 17 percent said the highways were getting worse in the poll conducted two years ago.

Scott Meyer, MoDOT district engineer, was not surprised by these findings.

"I think we would say that the roads are getting in worse shape," he said.

MoDOT has contended for some time that it needs more funds. And in the last few years, it has turned its focus towards road maintenance instead of new construction.

Kyle Kittrell, MoDOT's transportation director, said in 2002-2003, the transportation department will spend about 31 percent of its road budget on the rehabilitation. By 2006, that number will rise to 55 percent.

Various surveys have indicated that highway access is one of the top three priorities for industries looking to build, said Mitch Robinson of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association.

"They're critical to the communities and their growth," he said. "For communities that are not on the interstate, it's much, much harder to draw businesses."

Robinson said he's noticed the deteriorating conditions of the state's highways and intestates.

"MoDOT can just barely get by with the money they have," he said. "There's a lack of funding. When I travel to Jeff City on I-70, it's in horrible condition. We just have to be realistic and look at these funding issues that all governments face. We need to find out what we want and if we're willing to pay for it."

Safety concerns

Fred Ritter, pastor at First Baptist Church in Marble Hill, Mo., knows of the area's highway problems. Not only does he drive a lot as a minister, he also drives a bus for the Woodland school district. He has his complaints about highways 51, 34 and 72 in Bollinger County.

"On 34, there are no shoulders," he said. "If you needed to pull off, you couldn't. I don't see a lot of improvements taking place. If we're going to pay extra tax dollars, we need to get something in return."

Micah Bristow, transportation director at Woodland, is also concerned.

"Having no shoulder is the most dangerous part," he said. "If something happens, there's no way to get over."

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127