Missourians likely will be asked to consider imposing tolls on certain roads around the state, particularly on sections of interstates 44 and 70 and on a handful of major highways, as part of an effort to upgrade the sprawling, 32,000-mile highway system.
While a good case can be made that more money is necessary to keep up with needed repairs and new construction dictated by time and constant wear and tear, by population growth and by economic development, Missourians traditionally have been opposed to toll roads.
Twice, toll roads measures have been soundly rejected by voters. In 1970, 71 percent voted against it. Fifty-eight percent of those casting ballots in 1992 said “no.”
Some toll-road proponents undoubtedly are hoping that conditions may persuade voters to change their minds next time. They may stick a foot-in-the-door provision for toll roads in the next transportation plan going to the public, probably next year.
Among the arguments that will be trotted out at election time are that seven of the eight states surrounding Missouri have tolling authority and that tolls require only those who use the highways to pay for improvements. Furthermore, statistics will suggest that Missouri’s highways rank among the worst in the nation and that bridges across the state are only slightly better.
Several plans probably will be tossed into the legislative hopper before and during the next session as lawmakers respond to the need for new revenue streams for transportation. As usual, raising motor fuels taxes and vehicle or license fees will form the centerpieces.
Missourians, we believe, would support a modest bump in motor fuels taxes, even in these days of higher gasoline and diesel costs at the pump, so long as the plan contains a sunset provision after, say, 10 years. But they won’t channel new highway and bridge money into alternative modes of transportation, such as mass transit, light rail or airports, and they won’t buy into toll roads.
Oklahoma is a big turnpike state. A few years ago, 56 percent of Oklahomans responding to a statewide survey said they would happily do away with tolls, and more than half were willing to use state-lottery revenues for that purpose. Of course, state lottery money wound up being earmarked for public and higher education. But the fact is that Oklahomans were tired of forever being required to plop down $3.50 to drive from Tulsa to Joplin or Tulsa to Oklahoma City.
Missourians have eschewed toll roads for much the same reason. They don’t relish paying again at a toll gate for something for which their gasoline taxes have already paid. Missouri lawmakers ought to keep toll roads out of any new transportation plan they come up with. Voters will.
Opinion
In our view: Missouri won’t buy toll roads
- Opinion
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Our View: Victims should come first
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Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
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