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MISSOURI TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE STATEMENT ON MISSOURI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRANSPORTATION DAY
MISSOURI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND STATEWIDE GROUPS AGREE ON URGENT TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
JEFFERSON CITY, MO (JANUARY 27, 2011)– “Today, I was privileged to speak at the Missouri Chamber of Commerceʼs 2011 Missouri Conference on Transportation,” said Bill McKenna, MoTA spokesperson and former Missouri Highways and Transportation Chairman. “More than 225 leaders of business and industry converged on Jefferson City to engage in a dialogue about how to meet Missouri’s transportation infrastructure needs. Despite the divergent interests and wide array of perspectives, the message was clear – Missouri must invest in transportation to create jobs and be competitive in a global economy.”
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is facing critical cuts in funding due to state budget shortfalls, dwindling federal funds and the end of Amendment 3. MoDOTʼs construction program has been reduced by half, forcing the agency to make the difficult decision to cut staff and services.
According to McKenna, investing in transportation infrastructure will provide three important economic benefits to Missouriʼs ailing economy:
- First, it will provide immediate economic activity in every region of the state as jobs are created to complete critical transportation projects and repair roads and bridges in disrepair.
- Second, it will provide the long-term infrastructure necessary for small businesses and communities to grow and create good-paying jobs and great places to live.
- Third, it will make Missouri much more competitive in the global competition to attract new businesses looking for new locations to expand.
“Divergent groups are reaching the same conclusions,” said McKenna. “The Missouri Transportation Alliance will continue to elevate the conversation and bring Missourians together to develop a solution to the transportation dilemma.”
MoTA will be working with first responders, small businesses, transportation and community leaders, businesses and citizens to develop a funding solution over the next several months. To learn more about becoming an active supporter of the Alliance or to provide your input on how Missouriʼs transportation system can meet the safety and economic needs of Missouri, visit www.missouritransportation.org.
About the Missouri Transportation Alliance
The Missouri Transportation Alliance (MoTA) is a nonpartisan, citizen-led group of transportation stakeholders, business and labor organizations, and community leaders who believe Missouriʼs transportation infrastructure is critical to citizen safety and job creation. MoTA conducted more than 200 public meetings over 18 months in all ten MoDOT districts, to both inform the public about Missouriʼs current transportation situation and seek input on the regional priorities that should be considered in developing a new vision. MoTA has defined the need and is now developing a funding solution for a comprehensive transportation plan.