You are viewing the print version of this article. Click here to view the full version.
Columbia Missourian

MoDOT money to evaporate as residents burn less gas

By The Associated Press
November 23, 2009 | 4:24 p.m. CST

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri's Transportation Department says the state will face difficult decisions as the agency's funding declines.

Transportation Director Pete Rahn says his agency has $1.5 billion this year — including federal stimulus money — for construction. He says in five years, Missouri could have as little as $421 million available for transportation projects.

The figures are in a report presented to a legislative committee Monday.

Transportation projects are funded partly with Missouri's gasoline tax. Rahn says the revenue is declining as people drive less and buy more fuel-efficient vehicles. Also, there are few funds still available from a 2004 constitutional amendment that directed more money to highways.