As Missouri bridges and roads deteriorate, funding for repairs is nowhere in sight | State News | columbiamissourian.com

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Unfortunately, Bob Brendel, a spokesman for MoDOT, doesn't share Stidham's optimism. Years of funding cuts, shrinking revenue and increased traffic have severely limited the department's ability to replace damaged bridges.

"The truth is, at our current funding levels, we're just treading water," Brendel said. "For every poor bridge we replace, another one goes out of commission."

Of the nearly 10,400 bridges in Missouri, about 860 have been deemed poor, and 60 percent of the state's bridges have exceeded their original lifespans.

There are 10 poor bridges in Boone County alone, many in rural areas.

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As Missouri bridges and roads deteriorate, funding for repairs is nowhere in sight | State News | columbiamissourian.com

MoBikeFed comment: Just a reminder that our constant position has been that when Missouri finally steps up to fund its transportation needs, we need to fund ALL of our transportation needs--not just roads and highways.

As bad as the situation is with road and highway funding in Missouri, it is worse for public transit, bicycling, and walking. State funding for public transit is by far the worst of any of our neighboring states.

And Missouri has never had any state funding for bicycling, walking, and trails--despite the fact that 30% of the populace doesn't even have a drivers license, and over 8% of households don't own an automobile.

Huge segments of our population depend on walking, bicycling, and public transit for daily, essential transportation. Another very large segment would choose to walk, bicycle, and use public transit far more if they are actually viable options.