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Blue ribbon panel recommends turning I-70 into toll road

October 30, 2003
By: Aidian Holder
State Capital Bureau

MODOT's Blue Ribbon Highway Panel wants to turn I-70 into a toll road. Aidian Holder has more on that story.

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OutCue: SOC

The independent blue ribbon panel says the state can't fund the needed improvements to I-70 without more money - millions of new dollars for resurfacing and widening the aging highway.

The panel's newly released report calls for making I-70 a toll road to defray the cost of upkeep and improvements. Panel chairman Jack Magruder says it's the only way.

Actuality:toll
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Contents: Magruder says there's not nearly enough money to fund I-70 upkeep in the current MoDOT budget.

The state must recieve consent from the voters before it can operate a toll road, and twice before Missouri voters have refused to endorse a toll road plan. From the state Capitol, I'm Aidian Holder.

Date: 10/30/2003

By: Aidian Holder

State Capital Bureau

Missouri's Blue Ribbon Highway Panel says the state should turn I-70 into a toll road. Aidian Holder reports on that story.

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OutCue: SOC

After nine months of work, the independent panel charged with recommending ways to improve Missouri's roads says the state simply can't afford to fix I-70 without more money -- millions of dollars more.

And since Missouri voters haven't been willing to approve tax increases to fund the roads, the panel says the only choice it's left with is turning I-70 into a toll road.

Jack Magruder is the president of Truman State University, he serves as the panel chair.

Actuality:toll
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Contents: Magruder says there's no other way to pay for I-70 improvments.

Missouri voters have to approve any move by the state to use toll roads, and while Magruder says he's hopeful Missouri voters will endorse the panel's plan, citizens have twice rejected toll road plans by wide margins.

From the state Capitol, I'm Aidian Holder

Date: 10/30/2003

By: Aidian Holder

State Capital Bureau

Missouri's Blue Ribbon Highway Panel says the state should turn I-70 into a toll road. Aidian Holder reports.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The independent blue ribbon panel was charged with finding ways to fix Missorui roads. After nine months of work they've concluded that Missouri's broke and needs to find more money -- millions of dollars more money -- to fix up I-70.

Since voters have defeated attempts to raise taxes to pay for road work, the panel says the state shoudld make I-70 a toll road.

Jack Magruder is the panel's chairman.

Actuality:toll
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Contents: Magruder says I-70's in dire straits.

But the same impulse that keeps voters form approving new taxes could undermine the toll road idea, too, because any move by the state to operate toll roads requires voter approval.

From the state Capitol, I'm Aidain Holder