Transportation Archives

Will gas tax proposal make it to the ballot in 2020? Missouri legislator not so sure

December 3, 2019 By Missourinet Contributor

Since 2020 is a major election year, the chance of a proposed gas tax hike making it to the ballot might have an uphill battle. State Representative Chuck Bayse, R-Rocheport, hopes that’s not the case.

Photo courtesy of MoDOT

“Something that is very disappointing to me is when I hear folks in leadership say that we can’t do that because it’s an election year,” Basye tells Missourinet affiliate KWIX in Moberly. “But, I’m afraid that’s going to be the fate this year – I might be wrong. But, I would love to see us put forth a significant proposal for a fuel tax and get that in front of the people.”

Last November, Missouri voters rejected a proposed 10 cent gas tax increase that would have raised the state’s 17 cent gasoline tax for the first time in more than 20 years.

“The constituents that I serve three times now overwhelmingly favor a gas tax proposal and one that would be very easily read, not to be confused with a lot of other information involved like the last ballot issue,” Basye says.

Passage of the measure Basye is referring to would have helped to fund maintenance to Missouri’s roads and bridges, among other things.

“The last ballot issue we had, ya know, we had the law enforcement language and the Olympic medal tied into that same thing,” says Basye. “They would like to see a stand-alone gas tax proposal that would go to roads and bridges only.”

Prefiling of bills starts December 1 for the next session of the Missouri Legislature beginning in January.

By Bob Ehle of Missourinet affiliate KWIX in Moberly

Winter storm creates air travel delays across Midwest (live links)

December 1, 2019 By Ashley Byrd

Midwest travelers this Thanksgiving holiday suffered delays and cancellations because of a winter storm passing through Saturday and Sunday.

Chicago’ O’Hare was one of the airports hit hard by delays. The winter conditions of snow and wind created a domino effect and well over 11 thousand delays nationally. Check here for current counts.

American Airlines says alerts of possible delays could impact 2.7 million of its customers through Tuesday.

The northeastern U.S. is next to feel the brunt of Winter Storm Ezekiel, which will impact at least 30 states.

Winter weather advisory issued for far northwest Missouri on Thanksgiving night (AUDIO)

November 28, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued a winter weather advisory for far northwest Missouri for Thanksgiving evening, through Friday morning at 9.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for northwest Missouri’s Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, Andrew, Worth, Gentry and Harrison counties (November 28, 2019 map courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

NWS meteorologist Scott Blair says towns like Maryville, Rockport and Bethany will likely see a wintry mix and small ice pellets today, before the advisory kicks in at 6 pm.

“The real concern for northwest Missouri is going to come after dark, and during the overnight hours that’s when we’re going to look at temperatures kind of cool back down to about anywhere from 30, 31 degrees,” Blair says.

The winter weather advisory covers seven counties: Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, Andrew, Worth, Gentry and Harrison. It includes towns like Tarkio, Mound City, Savannah and Grant City.

Blair is urging Thanksgiving Day travelers using I-29 to be cautious, as well as drivers across those seven rural counties.

“What we’re concerned about up there is just the potential for at least some slick spots, secondary roadways potentially having a light glaze of ice,” says Blair.

The NWS warns that untreated roads will become hazardous, and Blair recommends taking it slow, if you have to drive in that area.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Scott Blair, which was recorded on November 28, 2019:

Missouri lawmaker unhappy with MoDOT response to winter storm this month

November 27, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A state lawmaker from eastern Missouri is criticizing what he calls the state Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT’s) incompetence, for its handling of the Veterans Day winter storm.

State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 17, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, says his vehicle struck black ice in St. Charles County during the storm and that he had to use his emergency brake to stop.

Schroer says he almost crashed and saw another vehicle flip over on I-70 in Lake St. Louis.

He wants MoDOT to examine how other states handle snow, including the chemicals they’re using. Schroer says the agency wasn’t ready for the storm.

“Is what we (Missouri) are doing to prepare in these types of situations, in these snowstorms, these ice storms, is that adequate,” Schroer asks. “Is that enough? Look to other states, see what they’re doing.”

Schroer says it took him more than 90 minutes to get home that evening, a trip that normally takes 15 minutes.

“It’s just ridiculous to me because now I have two young girls that I had to go get (that evening) and slid in the black ice and I’m trying to get them home,” says Schroer.

There were hundreds of crashes across the state during the Veterans Day winter storm. One woman who was stuck by a vehicle in St. Charles County, after the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” reports her car had problems in the weather. And state troopers say a 61-year-old man from Chilhowee died when he lost control of his vehicle on an ice-covered road and overturned near western Missouri’s Centerview.

As for MoDOT, they tell Missourinet that although forecasts said it would end midday on Veterans Day, an additional wave of snow came through that afternoon after the first snow melted and washed off the salt. They say their trucks were treating roads all day. They also note their trucks were blocked by significant crashes that day on I-70 in Schroer’s St. Charles County district.

MoDOT also says safety is their top priority and that they have hundreds of dedicated employees who work hard to keep St. Louis-area roads safe during winter storms.

Schroer, who serves as the vice chairman of the House Special Committee on Government Oversight, tells Missourinet that if the scenario happens again, he’ll want MoDOT to testify before the committee.

MoDOT helds its annual winter operations drill on November 7, four days before the storm. They reacted to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state and inspected every piece of equipment.

The agency spent more than $64 million on winter operations last year and used more than 180,000 tons of salt, 100,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride and about 700,000 gallons of beet juice. MoDOT says that during an average winter, its employees plow about six million miles of snow and ice.

Here is the full statement from MoDOT’s St. Louis District office, in response to the Missourinet interview with Representative Schroer:

Thank you for reaching out to MoDOT following your interview with State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, during which shared concerns with MoDOT’s response to last week’s winter storm.

Safety is our number 1 priority. MoDOT has hundreds of dedicated employees in St. Louis working hard to keep roads safe and passable. State employees were out all day Monday, November 11th, working the winter event including plowing and spreading salt. It is difficult to use salt in an effective way when storms start as rain/sleet and strike during times of heavy traffic volumes. The November 11th event had warm enough ground temperatures to melt all the snow that fell, washing off the salt that was applied early in the day. Although the weather forecasts said it would end midday, an additional wave of snow came around 2 p.m. after the first snow had melted and washed off the salt. When the winds brought a significant drop in temperature, all routes across St. Louis started freezing at the same time which coincided with the start of evening rush hour.

MoDOT’s trucks were treating roads all day. Winter events like Monday can present extreme challenges, especially when you have winter precipitation during rush hour. Specific to Representative Schroer’s area in St. Charles County, there were a couple significant crashes on I-70 and Rte 364 that MoDOT trucks were caught in. When MoDOT trucks are stuck in traffic, it limits our ability to continue treating roads and getting to all the state owned roads.

Severe storms and brief tornadoes possible across Missouri tonight (AUDIO)

November 26, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that much of Missouri could see severe weather Tuesday evening, into the early morning hours.

The National Weather Service is warning that severe thunderstorms and brief tornadoes are possible across Missouri tonight (November 26, 2019 map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter)

Southeast Missouri towns like Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau, Caruthersville and Kennett are now at an enhanced risk.

NWS Pleasant Hill meteorologist Scott Blair describes it as a dynamic storm system that we normally see in the spring.

“Western Missouri, we’re looking at sometime around or just a little after sunset,” Blair says. “And that threat will quickly progress to the east as we head into the late evening and early overnight hours.”

Most of Missouri is in the “slight” risk category. Cities is that category include Columbia, Jefferson City, Kirksville, Hannibal, Springfield, Joplin and West Plains. Blair says those areas could see strong thunderstorms with winds capable of producing a brief tornado.

“The good news though is that if there happens to be any tornadoes, we’re not looking at the real long track strong or violent type. This is going to be more of a brief type of tornado out there,” says Blair.

45 mile-per-hour winds are expected across the state tonight. The biggest threat in much of the state will be damaging wind gusts.

The NWS says the storms will be moving fast.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Scott Blair, which was recorded on November 26, 2019:

Missouri Thanksgiving travelers expected to pay less in fuel

November 26, 2019 By Missourinet Contributor

Fuel prices are expected to drop, but not by much for Thanksgiving drivers. Gasbuddy projects unleaded gas to decline by roughly five-cents. Tristan Wheelan tells WGEM-TV in Quincy that he won’t complain.

Missouri Thanksgiving travelers expected to pay less in fuel

“You know everybody’s gotta buy gas and if I’m traveling around, I gotta buy it anyway, so might as well get it while it’s cheap,” says Wheelan.”

Samantha Walker says every little bit helps this time of year.

“Who knows, I might be able to buy a few more presents,” she says.

Gasbuddy’s projected national average is $2.56 a gallon. The average is about five-cents less than a few weeks ago but is the most Thanksgiving travelers have paid for in five years. In Missouri, the average price is $2.27 per gallon.

Triple-A Auto Club predicts nearly 50 million people will be driving more than 50 miles for Thanksgiving, with the most drivers out on the roads on Wednesday.

Parson: Missouri Highway Patrol’s surge on St. Louis interstates has led to 300 arrests

November 26, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The mayors of Missouri’s four largest cities and Governor Mike Parson outlined their top priorities for battling violent crime in Jefferson City on Monday.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson visits with
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Springfield Mayor Ken McClure, Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and their four respective police chiefs on November 25, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of the governor’s office)

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Springfield Mayor Ken McClure, Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and their four respective police chiefs met with Governor Parson behind closed doors at the Statehouse.

The governor and mayors briefed the Capitol Press Corps after the meeting, inside the governor’s office.

Springfield Mayor McClure says their top three priorities are witness protection and relocation, mental health treatment and keeping guns out of the hands of those under 18. Krewson says protecting witnesses is key to solving more crimes and obtaining more convictions.

Governor Parson also says the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s “surge” on St. Louis interstates is taking criminals and guns off the streets. In response to a question from Missourinet, the governor says the Patrol has made about 300 arrests since the operation began a month ago.

“So the important thing to take out of that (300 arrests), we are getting people off the streets,” Parson says. “And that’s just counting what we (state troopers) did, that’s still not counting what the cities are doing everyday up there. But all of that helps.”

The arrests announced by the governor also don’t include this month’s massive federal special operation called “Operation Triple Beam”, where 69 alleged St. Louis-area gang members were arrested. 16 of those arrests were for murder-related warrants.

Mayor Krewson tells Missourinet she “begged” the governor to send troopers to St. Louis, and praises his response.

“I drive on Highway 70 regularly and I always see one, two maybe three Highway Patrol officers out there, trying to make a difference on our highways,” says Krewson.

She says the operation has been successful, adding that some of the 300 arrests during the surge involve guns and drugs.

The governor also discussed the importance of education and workforce development during the meeting, along with battling poverty.

Parson also says he’s open to the idea of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s (R) call for lawmakers to approve a statewide carjacking statute.

Schmitt told reporters last week that there have been 305 carjacking incidents in the St. Louis metro area this year. Schmitt notes there is currently no uniform charge for carjacking, adding that the new statute would bring clarity to charging and sentencing carjackings.

Federal grant to address severe water shortage, some road issues in northeast Missouri

November 19, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The U.S. Department of Labor has given Missouri a federal grant to address some infrastructure problems in northeast Missouri. Milan has received a $13.5 million federal grant to handle severe water shortages the town has been dealing with for years. At a press conference, Gov. Mike Parson says a drought earlier this year in the Milan area caused some severe water problems. The funding will be used on the East Locust Creek Reservoir Project.

Gov. Mike Parson

“Up in that region, the town up there, was like 60 some odd days from running out of water up there,” says Parson. “So, to build this reservoir up here and to be able to change the highway structure and the infrastructure around that is huge for the state of Missouri.”

Parson thinks the federal funding will clear up the infrastructure issues.

“Everybody understands how important water is up there,” says Parson. “We’ve got to figure out how we build that reservoir out to make sure to meet the demands up there. You never dream about, when you become governor, that you’re going to realize that some town in the state of Missouri is 60 days from running out of water. That means businesses, that means plants, that means schools, everything is going to be shut down. So, that was really a reality check.”

The grant will also be used to relocate Highway N to below the East Locust Creek Reservoir dam, extending and widening roads, and other highway safety improvements.

$400 million steel plant to open in Sedalia in late December

November 16, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s top economic development official says a massive $400 million steel plant being built in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia is set to open next month.

North Carolina-based Nucor is building a $400 million steel rebar manufacturing plant in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia (August 2019 file photo courtesy of Nucor)

State Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Rob Dixon tells Missourinet the Nucor plant is scheduled to open on December 27 or 28. The steel rebar manufacturing plant is one of the largest projects Missouri has landed in the past decade.

It’s being built near Highway 65, and will be the anchor tenant of Sedalia’s new rail industrial park.

Sedalia-Pettis County economic development executive director Jessica Craig tells Missourinet about 2,500 people have applied for 250 jobs, primarily steelworker positions. She says about 160 have already been hired, and some of them are driving from as far away as Columbia and Kansas City.

The employees have been training at Nucor plants in Texas, Alabama and Mississippi.

The average salary for a Nucor steelworker is about $65,000. Craig says Nucor is still hiring for entry-level production steelworkers, and she encourages anyone interested to apply on the Nucor website.

Craig has said Nucor’s decision is a game changer for Sedalia, which has about 70 other manufacturers.

Winter storm briefly closes interstate in western Missouri (AUDIO)

November 11, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Winter weather briefly closed heavily-traveled southbound I-49 in western Missouri’s Belton on Monday morning, because of numerous slide offs and unsafe driving conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis is warning about deteriorating conditions on bridges and overpasses (November 11, 2019 map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter)

National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Jonathan Kurtz notes it’s rare for a storm to close an interstate.

“It happens from time to time when you get these pretty strong intense bursts of snow,” Kurtz says. “And we have had two rounds here in the Kansas City metro, and two pretty strong lines have come through.”

I-49, which has re-opened, is a major route for truckers, and runs in Missouri from just south of Kansas City to southwest Missouri’s McDonald County.

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) spokeswoman Sally Oxenhandler tells Missourinet that southbound I-49 at 163rd Street in Cass County was closed for about 20 minutes today.

Kurtz says conditions on the interstate quickly deteriorated.

“I-49 was only closed for a little bit of time there due to some slick roads there,” says Kurtz. “And snow started to accumulate pretty fast. Once it started hitting the ground, it only took about 20 to 30 minutes for the road to start to get snow-covered.”

Missouri state troopers responded to several slide-offs on Highway 50 in western Missouri’s Knob Noster on November 11, 2019 (photo from Missourinet’s Ashley Byrd)

The National Weather Service is warning Missourians that the snow and falling temperatures will lead to deteriorating conditions on bridges and overpasses for your evening commute. Mr. Kurtz is urging motorists to slow down.

“My drive in was pretty slick as well, and you just have to give yourself plenty of time. And we can kind of be thrown off, especially when the day before we had highs in the 50’s,” Kurtz says.

Snow is expected to end in Jefferson City by 4 p.m. Monday and in southeast Missouri’s Farmington by 6 p.m. The NWS is urging motorists and anyone heading outside to dress in layers.

Northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph has received about an inch of snow, while mid-Missouri’s Columbia has seen about an inch as well. There’s an inch-and-a-half on the ground in northeast Missouri’s Foley.

Several schools in mid-Missouri and in the Ozarks have dismissed early because of the storm. Westminster College in mid-Missouri’s Fulton has also dismissed classes early.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Jonathan Kurtz, which was recorded on November 11, 2019: