Missouri Shows How Not to Expand Highways, Though Unintentionally

The Missouri Department of Transportation will adhere strictly to a "fix it" (as opposed to "fix-it-first") policy for the next five years, because there are no funds for roadway expansion.

2 minute read

July 9, 2015, 12:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Missouri

gguy / Shutterstock

"For the first time in its history, MoDOT will not have enough money to expand roads or build new interchanges," writes Garrett Bergquist, reporter at KRCG in New Bloomfield, Missouri. "MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger said Tuesday the agency's new five-year plan only envisions routine maintenance such as pavement repair or bridge deck replacements."

MoDOT's construction budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which began July 1, is $600 million. Three years ago, it was $1.3 billion.

Hassinger said if MoDOT doesn't get any more funding by the next budget year, it will be unable to match funding derived from the federal gas tax.

According to the July 2 MoDOT news release, "(t)he total number of projects in this Statewide Transportation Improvement Program's five-year highway and bridge construction schedule is 577. That's a decrease of 246 projects from last year's final STIP."

It's not for lack of trying by the legislature that transportation funding is at such a low point. Here are recent attempts and outcomes chronicled in Planetizen:

What's next?

"Hassinger said a sales tax is likely a non-starter, so a gas tax is probably the most viable funding option," writes Bergquist, who adds that in neighboring Iowa, Republican Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill in February to increase the gas tax by 10-cents effective March 1, the largest increase since Republican Governor Matt Mead of Wyoming signed a 10-cent hike in February 2013.

The Iowa example provides fodder for highway expansion opponents who may argue against hiking the gas tax after the Iowa Transportation Commission in June funded significant roadways expansions as opposed to concentrating on "fix-it-first". However, the state DOT head "admits that the highway system is overbuilt."

Missouri's 17.30-cents state gas tax was the fifth lowest in the U.S. as of April 1 according to the American Petroleum Institute [PDF]. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the gas tax was last increased 19 years ago.

Hat tip to AASHTO Daily Transportation Update.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 in KRCG

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

White bike symbol painted on green bike lane.

OKC Approves 7.2 Miles of New Bike Lanes

The city council is implementing its BikeWalkOKC plan, which recommends new bike lanes on key east-west corridors.

March 21 - Oklahoma City Free Press

Aerial view of downtown Houston, Texas skyline with low-rise housing in foreground.

Preserving Houston’s ‘Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing’

Unsubsidized, low-cost rental housing is a significant source of affordable housing for Houston households, but the supply is declining as units fall into disrepair or are redeveloped into more expensive units.

March 21 - Urban Edge

Small tree in bloom with pink flowers in front of home in Toronto, Canada.

The Most Popular Tree on Google?

Meet Rodney: the Toronto tree getting rave reviews.

March 21 - Toronto Star