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For more information, contact:

Julie Gibson Sally, media representative

816.668.1143 or julie@clearkc.com

MEDIA NOTE — Bill McKenna will be available for phone interviews from 10:30 a.m. – Noon. Please call media representative to coordinate.

Jefferson City, MO (May 4, 2011) – Statement from Bill McKenna, MoTA spokesperson and former Missouri Highways and Transportation Chairman on MoDOT restructuring:

“Today, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced a major restructuring due to the unprecedented transportation funding crisis in our state. These cuts are painful, they are deep and they will impact every Missourian; the cuts highlight the urgent need to resolve Missouri’s transportation funding shortfall.

This is a natural response to the funding crisis. MoDOT cannot be expected to deliver the same level of service with less than half of the funding they’ve had for the previous five years. Today’s announcement is going to result in a significant reduction in the level of service that Missourians have received from MoDOT over the last five years.

MoDOT, like the rest of state government will try to do more with less, but this is a situation where clearly, less is less. MoDOT will work very hard to ‘maintain’ the system and ‘hold our own’ on 3,000 deficient bridges. But our state’s transportation infrastructure will quickly fall short of Missourians expectations and demand for safe roads and bridges and the growing needs for transit and other modes that propel our economy.

The Alliance is working with citizens and stakeholders around the state to find a solution: A long term plan and funding solution that maintains our infrastructure, meets our future needs, grows our economy, and keeps us safe. Missourians must commit to funding transportation and make it a priority in the very near future in order to create jobs and keep Missouri families safe on our roads.”

To learn more about becoming an active supporter of the Alliance or to provide your input on how Missouri’s 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 Missouri’s 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 Missouri’s 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.

TRIP report outlines Missouri’s transportation funding crisis

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For more information, contact:

Julie Gibson Sally, media representative

816.668.1143 or julie@clearkc.com

Jefferson City, MO (April 28, 2011) – Today, TRIP, a Washington, DC, based national transportation organization unveiled the Missouri TRIP report: “Future Mobility in Missouri: Meeting the State’s Needs for Safe and Efficient Mobility.” The report outlined Missouri’s pending funding crisis where the state will be at pre-2000 funding levels in the very near future.

During a press conference in Kansas City, Bill McKenna, MoTA spokesperson and former Missouri Highways and Transportation Chairman made the following remarks:

“This is not a surprise to those of us involved with the Missouri Transportation Alliance. We know the funding situation is dire. Amendment 3 money is gone, state match money is deficient and federal funds are dwindling.

The state will need to make a significant new commitment to investing in transportation or we will quickly find ourselves with an unacceptable reality — decaying roads and bridges, unbearable congestion and system so in need of repairs that it will require decades to fix.

We don’t think we can afford to risk the lives of Missourians and the state’s economy by choosing not to invest.

We’ve spent the past two years canvassing the state, listening to Missourians and hearing their concerns.  We’ve engaged community organizations, first responders, small businesses, concerned citizens and groups across Missouri who are all focused on the same goals:

• Missourians want a safe and reliable transportation system for their families.
• Missourians want new investments in transportation that gets people back to work, grows the state’s infrastructure in a way that promotes economic growth over the long term and stabilizes Missouri’s communities.

The Missouri Transportation Alliance is committed to delivering a comprehensive, sustainable transportation plan that keeps families safe and shores up the economy. We are working every day to reach out to Missourians, get them engaged in the process and grow our ranks of supporters.

A solution will not come from one person or one group; it will be the collective desire of Missourians who determine the path forward.

Unfortunately, the news is likely to get worse before it gets better, but we will continue to work with MoDOT, its partners and with those committed to improving transportation infrastructure in Missouri to create a new comprehensive transportation plan.”

To learn more about becoming an active supporter of the Alliance or to provide your input on how Missouri’s 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 Missouri’s 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 Missouri’s 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.

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Emergency responders share their experience from the front lines

Jefferson City, MO (March 4, 2011) –The Missouri Transportation Alliance (MoTA) today unveiled its first podcast on safety featuring Pam Holt, a registered nurse from St. John’s Hospital in Springfield and nationally recognized resource in injury prevention and maintaining safe roadways for Missourians. A recipient of the People Serving People Award for her work in writing Missouri’s child passenger safety and booster seat law, Holt is an expert in safety and accident-prevention. MoDOT is thrilled to benefit from her expertise.

“Missouri will be unable to adequately protect its citizens with the current available funds,” said Holt. “Only through significant increases in safety improvements and maintenance efforts can the state provide the safest possible transportation system and the system that Missouri families deserve and expect.  Thousands of Missouri families will be unnecessarily put in harms way due to the drastic reduction in available funds. With the leadership of the Alliance and the commitment of the state’s emergency responders we must appeal to Missourians to solve this problem now.”

Holt outlined the steps necessary to create safer roads and bridges, “…wider shoulders, more guard rails, expanded use of rumble strips, better signing and striping, and most importantly finding a way to deal with Missouri’s growing number of obsolete or deficient bridges that are nearing failure. In order to save lives, protect our families and meet our responsibilities to the public, we need to see that MoDOT has adequate funding.” Holt noted that past improvements have led to significant reductions in fatalities, but MoDOT has stressed that the funding does not exist to expand additional safety improvements that would save lives.

In the podcast, Ms. Holt discussed how investing in Missouri roadways will not only boost our economy, but also save Missourians heartache and money in the future.

“We should invest in the future of Missouri because doing that is going to promote families, spur the economy and it is going to keep money that would otherwise be spent on medical bills as a result of these injuries in Missourians’ pockets,” said Holt.

If you are interested in hearing more about this issue from a medical professional, please download MoTA’s safety podcast here.

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 Missouri’s 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 Missouri’s 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 Missouri’s 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.

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For more information, contact:
Julie Gibson Sally, media representative
816.668.1143 or julie@clearkc.com

MISSOURI TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE URGED TO BROADEN STAKEHOLDERS AND EXPAND DIALOGUE ON URGENT TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

STAKEHOLDERS MEET TO CRAFT ACTION PLAN FOR INCREASING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TO CREATE JOBS AND KEEP MISSOURIANS SAFE

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (JANUARY 30, 2011)– The Missouri Transportation Alliance (MoTA) stakeholders met on Friday, January 28 in Jefferson City to carve out an action plan to increase infrastructure investment in Missouri. The current stakeholders urged the Alliance to broaden the statewide stakeholders and district chair organization in order to strengthen the statewide coalition and further MoTA’s efforts to deliver a smart, sustainable long-term statewide transportation plan that will provide greater safety to Missouriʼs families and spur the economy.

“We understand, and so do our stakeholders, that the only realistic solution will come from the citizens of Missouri,” said Bill McKenna, MoTA spokesperson and former Missouri Highways and Transportation Chairman. “MoTA has already begun to reach out to groups and individuals across Missouri about the state’s urgent transportation needs.”

According to McKenna, MoTA has begun the process of building a coalition and engaging Missourians. Over the past 18 months, MoTA conducted more than 200 public meetings and gathered input from all over the state to help guide the creation of a comprehensive transportation funding plan based on what Missourians need to make their travel safe and to create jobs and spur the economy.

“Missourians understand there are risks to not properly maintaining roads and bridges to keep their families safe and they are struggling in this economy,” said McKenna. “We’ve already begun the conversation and Missourians understand the need. Now, weʼre asking them to get involved and join us in taking action.”

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. The Alliance has outlined several steps interested organizations and individuals can take to help elevate the conversation. 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.

– Download PDF version –

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For more information, contact:
Julie Gibson Sally, media representative
816.668.1143 or julie@clearkc.com

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.

– Download PDF version –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Julie Gibson Sally, media representative
816.668.1143 or julie@clearkc.com

MISSOURI TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE AND NNOUNCES STAKEHOLDER MEETING TO DISCUSS URGENT TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

STAKEHOLDERS WILL CRAFT ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (JANUARY 24, 2011) –The Missouri Transportation Alliance
(MoTA) announced its upcoming Stakeholder meeting in Jefferson City on January 28 here the group will carve out an action plan to address Missouriʼs urgent transportation needs.

“We have spent the past 18 months canvassing the state, meeting with Missourians and hearing their concerns,” said Bill McKenna, MoTA spokesperson, former Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman. “We know that Missouriʼs unemployment rate is higher than the national average and while weʼve made significant improvements in our accident and fatality rates without continued investment in our roads and bridges that trend will not continue. Missourians want significant investments in transportation to save lives and get people back to work.”

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.

“MoDOT cannot maintain roads and bridges in Missouri keeping our families safe or make necessary infrastructure improvements to grow our economy due to their new economic realities,” said McKenna.

In order to raise awareness about Missouriʼs urgent transportation issues, MoTA launched a new web site today that outlines the critical needs facing Missouriʼs transportation system. The web site includes social media tools, facts and figures regarding transportation realities and opportunities for Missourians to join the conversation and help draw attention to the dire situation in Missouri.

“The Alliance is a citizen led effort, which is why it is different,” said Michael Meierhoffer, MoTA District 1 Co-Chair and President/CEO of Meierhoff Funeral Home and Crematory in St. Joseph. “We are confident that once we elevate this conversation and get more Missourians involved in the discussion about protecting their families on Missouriʼs roads and bridges, saving lives and boosting the economy, real solutions will emerge.”

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.