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Branson takes another look at possible attraction to the city – Gondolas

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A company with plans to makes gondola’s a tourist attraction in southwest Missouri’s Branson has made another pitch for its idea to the city.

Two years ago, the city formally agreed to allow “American Gondolas” to proceed with plans — with the understanding that the city would not entertain competitors for the project.

Representatives from American Gondolas were in Branson last week with a revised alignment plan and terminals.

Under the plan, the Gondolas would run along the 76 Highway corridor, the roadway along which much of Branson’s attractions are located, with two endpoints.

One terminus would be in Branson Landing near the city’s downtown while the other would be at Shepherd of the Hills, a landmark outdoor theater to the west.

“I think as long as they try and keep the alignment as close as possible to the 76 corridor it could make a lot of sense,” said Joel Hornickle, Director of Branson Planning and Development.

Hornickle said there would also be six or seven terminals along the way.

“That seems to be the real big topic at this point…. trying to figure out how they get from the downtown out to the western city limits and what businesses or properties they may affect, ” Hornickle said.

The cost of the project is roughly $160 to 200 million, which would be privately funded.

“It comes down to money,” said Hornickle, “As with a lot of projects, especially with this one the fact that as they pointed out to us they are trying to find all the dollars necessary to do the projects on their own.”

City officials are planning a future public forum on the issue. Residents KOLR spoke with, like the idea of Gondolas in Branson.

“I’d say maybe do a small short section and see how that works and then add to it if they can later on,” said Kenny Parrott of Hollister.

“I don’t have any problem with it,” said Donna Gloyd,” of Branson, “Whatever is best for the city and the people that come and the visitors.”

Bob Gibson of Branson, thinks the Gondolas will also serve a recreational purpose.

“Once people get to know about it, they’re going to ride it just for the fun of things,” Gibson said.

Hornickle believes as long as they keep the Gondolas as close to the 76 corridor as possible, it makes sense.

Branson has been approached with numerous proposals for tourist attractions in recent times.

The city rejected a plan that involved a large tax break to developers of a proposed $446 million water park and resort.

The Branson Board of Aldermen voted 5-1 against the incentives in April.

Missourinet media partner KOLR-TV provided this story

Plan ahead if you’re driving to Kansas City on I-70 this weekend (AUDIO)

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The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is reminding motorists that I-70 in Kansas City will be completely closed in both directions this weekend, between I-435 and I-470.

MoDOT resident engineer James Pflum says a good detour is in place, adding that the work is needed so three aging bridges over I-70 can be demolished.

“You know everything kind of aligned where we can take this opportunity to knock these three bridges all out at once and then have a good detour in place to do it all in one weekend,” Pflum says.

Pflum tells Missourinet the Pittman Road, Crysler Avenue and Phelps Road bridges were built in about 1963, making them about 55 years old.

I-70 will be closed between I-435 and I-470 from 10 o’clock Friday evening until about 5 am on Monday.

Pflum says motorists must follow the signed detour or find an alternate route.

“The official detour takes you around 470 and then over to 435 and then back up to I-70 that way,” says Pflum. “Or if you’re coming eastbound then it would be 435 down to 470 and then around to I-70 again,” says Pflum.

About 100,000 motorists drive on I-70 near I-435 and I-470 during a normal weekday.

The Royals baseball team is in Oakland this weekend playing the Athletics.

“We really targeted this weekend as the weekend that we wanted to come in and do the work, with the Royals being out of town and it really just kind of made sense for the area as the best weekend to do that,” Pflum says.

Pflum says crews will start rebuilding the bridges on Monday, with I-70 traffic flowing.

The new bridges are expected to be completed by December, weather permitting.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and MoDOT resident engineer James Pflum, which was recorded on June 7, 2018:

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Parson indicates he’ll get behind proposed gas tax increase in Missouri

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Governor Mike Parson appears to support a bi-partisan ballot measure before voters in November that would boost Missouri’s fuel tax. Parson, a Republican, tells reporters at the Capitol in Jefferson City that a meeting Tuesday with seven Missouri mayors focused on many issues they are facing, including the need to address the state’s deteriorating infrastructure system.

Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson held numerous meetings on May 30, 2018 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Parson’s office)

“I’m going to be supporting infrastructure in the state of Missouri. And yes, if that’s a part of the infrastructure plan, then we’re going to be supporting infrastructure in the state. I have ever since I’ve been running for office and I think that’s important. We cannot keep kicking that can the road and doing nothing for infrastructure,” Parson says.

The proposal would boost the state’s gas tax by 2.5 cents annually for the next four years. The tax is projected to raise $240 million annually to help fund Missouri’s roads, bridges and port systems. The measure would also provide $288 million each year for law enforcement and $123 million annually for city and county projects.

“That’s where it’s going to take us all working together. We need to make sure we have a good plan in place. The thing about it is, the public is going to decide that. The voters are going to decide that,” Parson says.

For years, members of the Missouri Legislature have wrestled with finding a solution to address the state’s transportation needs. Opponents of a gas tax increase say Missourians do not want a tax increase.

Missouri’s gasoline tax is one of the lowest in the nation – 17 cents per gallon. It has not been increased since 1996.

Parson’s Tuesday meeting included Mayors Sly James, Kansas City; Kathy Rose, Riverside; Brian Treece, Columbia; Len Pagano, St. Peters; Karen Best, Branson; Tom Schneider, Florissant; and Carrie Tergin, Jefferson City.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Missouri alliance wants action from Hawley to address racial gap in traffic stop report

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The Missouri Coalition for Fair Policing is calling on Attorney General Josh Hawley, R, to take steps to reduce the rate at which black drivers are pulled over compared to white drivers. An annual report compiled by the Attorney General’s Office shows black drivers are 85% more likely than their white counterparts to get stopped by law enforcement. This figure represents the highest racial gap in the report’s 18 years in existence.

Nimrod Chapel, President of Missouri NAACP

During a press conference today in Jefferson City, Missouri NAACP President Rod Chapel says the status quo is unacceptable and a comprehensive plan must be developed by Hawley.

“We’ve got to stop it. Today, I think it’s important to look at the attorney general and see what’s been done to change the data that’s been collected through the vehicle stops report. Not only to improve the data that we’ve collected, but more importantly, to ensure that the officers that are out there on the street have a reliable tool so that when we come back and look at the analysis as we are now, we can be certain of what we see,” Chapel says. “At this point, there is no plan – at least not one that’s been articulated to anyone outside of his office or that I’m aware of. So, I think he should start.”

Chapel says some departments have tried different things to address the racial gaps outlined in the report but he says the tactics do not seem to be working.

Don Love with Empower Missouri says one part of an overall plan could include requiring each Missouri law enforcement agency to offer surveys. He points to a KU study conducted in the Kansas City area.

“They interviewed 3,000 drivers and officers. They found black drivers overwhelmingly reported being stopped for minor violations, white drivers reported being stopped for serious violations,” Love says.

Don Love – co-chair Human Rights Task Force at Empower Missouri (photo courtesy of Empower Missouri)

The group is also calling on legislators to pass a bill – known as the Fourth Amendment Affirmation Act – which has failed for several years to make it all the way in the General Assembly. Members say the legislation would clearly prohibit bias in policing and apply sanctions against departments that lag behind in solving bias problems.

As for other potential steps that could be taken, Chapel and Love both say having a dialogue is a good place to start.

“Having that discussion is the foundation of change,” says Love.

One year ago, the NAACP launched a “travel advisory” warning people of color that their civil rights could be violated in Missouri. The advisory cited the attorney general’s traffic report and the passage of a law, Senate bill 43, that makes it more difficult to sue employers for discrimination. Chapel says his organization has not had any “serious discussions” with any statewide elected officials in Missouri about the advisory, implementation, results or ways to discontinue the warning.

“I am loathed to have Missouri known as a state where everybody is not welcome and treated equally. We should not be the homeland of Jim Crow as we are now. We’ve got to work to change that. Until that’s done, the travel advisory will be in effect,” he says.

Chapel says many local Chambers of Commerce have reached out to him expressing they no longer agree with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce’s stance on SB 43.

Hawley Spokesperson Mary Compton has released the following statement to Missourinet:

“It’s an important issue that deserves discussion. Within the guidelines given by the Legislature, we are implementing changes to the survey that provide new insights for local law enforcement agencies and policymakers,” says Compton.

To view this year’s report, click here.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

B-17 bomber flights will be offered this weekend in Chesterfield

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(This story is written by Missourinet St. Louis contributor Todd Sauter)

The B-17 Flying Fortress at Chesterfield’s Spirit of St. Louis Airport (May 28, 2018 photo courtesy of Missourinet St. Louis contributor Todd Sauter)

The Liberty Foundation has organized a “Salute to Veterans” tour near St. Louis, which gives you the chance to fly this weekend in a B-17 bomber that’s never been available to the public for flight experiences.

The B-17 Flying Fortress is regarded as the most famous bomber of World War II, and the “Madras Maiden” is one of just 12 still flying, with flight and tour opportunities available.

“For those that cannot afford to spend $450 to ride on a B-17, we open the airplane at the end of the day when the rides are complete to the public, free of charge, and they can tour the airplane. Families can come out and they can go through the airplane front to back,” volunteer Captain Bob Hill tells Missourinet.

The airplane is an educational outreach tool, and flights are available this Saturday and Sunday (June 2-3), with proceeds going to keep the plane flying.

A flight costs $450 this weekend at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, which is near the Missouri River. Each flight experience lasts about 45 minutes.

This B-17, which was built in 1944, has nine available seats on each flight.

The B-17 Flying Fortress, from a different angle at Chesterfield’s Spirit of St. Louis Airport (photo courtesy of Missourinet St. Louis contributor Todd Sauter)

The airport’s website notes Spirit has a 7,485 foot all-weather runway, along with a 5,000 foot parallel runway.

You can find more information about this weekend’s flights by visiting www.libertyfoundation.org or by calling (918) 340-0243.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Extra Missouri state troopers will patrol roadways and waterways on Memorial Day weekend (AUDIO)

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You’ll notice extra Missouri state troopers on the highways during this 2018 Memorial Day weekend.

A Missouri state trooper on the Lake of the Ozarks in August 2017 (file photo courtesy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol}

Every available trooper will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and helping motorists.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Lt. Paul Reinsch says the Patrol is participating in Operation C.A.R.E., which stands for crash awareness reduction effort.

“We’re trying to get as many troopers that are available out on the roadways, not only to look at aggressive driving and other violations but we want our officers to be out there to help the stranded motorists as well,” Reinsch says.

The Friday before Memorial Day is traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year in Missouri, as people head to lakes and other Memorial Day holiday destinations.

Reinsch says troopers are being stationed at 20-mile intervals Friday along Interstates 29, 44, 55 and 70, as well as Highways 60 and 61.

“We’re going to be promoting safety by looking for those aggressive drivers, particularly speeding, maybe aggressive passing and things of that nature,” says Reinsch. “And we’re just wanting to make the roadways as safe as possible.”

During Missouri’s 2017 Memorial Day weekend, nine people died and 496 were injured in 1,122 traffic crashes.

Reinsch tells Missourinet that troopers made 107 DWI arrests during the 2017 Memorial Day weekend.

He encourages you to call *55 on your cell phone, if you see impaired drivers or aggressive driving.

Meantime, Missouri state troopers will also be on the state’s lakes and waterways during this Memorial Day weekend, which is the unofficial start to the boating season.

Reinsch notes state law requires children under the age of seven to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device anytime they’re in a boat.

“Again, it’s not only important for those children it’s important for adults, and as we learned last weekend with the tragic loss of life at the Lake of the Ozarks, it’s extremely important to wear one,” Reinsch says.

Lieutenant Reinsch says three people died and two others were seriously injured in last weekend’s boating crash, when a boat crashed into a rock bluff.

Reinsch tells Missourinet that deadly incident is still under investigation.

During Missouri’s 2017 Memorial Day weekend, one person died and seven were injured in 15 boating crashes.

 

Click here to listen to Missourinet news director Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Missouri State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Paul Reinsch, which was recorded on May 24, 2018:

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Razer: new Warrenton I-70 interchange highlights MoDOT funding issues (AUDIO)

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A state lawmaker says a new I-70 interchange being built in eastern Missouri’s Warrenton highlights the need for more funding for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

State Rep. Greg Razer speaks on the Missouri House floor in May 2017 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Voters in Warrenton have approved two citywide sales tax increases to fund a new interchange there.

State Rep. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, addressed the issue on the Missouri House floor on Wednesday, telling colleagues he’s frustrated.

“Instead of the people of Missouri saying we’ll pay for something we own, we ask the people of Warrenton to increase their city taxes to pay for something that wasn’t their sole responsibility to pay for in the first place,” Razer says.

Razer, a Democrat, supports legislation from House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho, which would place a ten cent gasoline tax increase on the November ballot.

Missouri’s 2018 legislative session ends Friday evening at 6.

Razer says Missouri lawmakers haven’t had the political will to increase funding for MoDOT.

“This is a failure of those of us that are elected in this building (the Statehouse in Jefferson City) to properly fund MoDOT, so they can take care, these are our roads and bridges,” Razer says on the House floor.

Missouri’s fuel tax hasn’t been increased since 1996. The state’s gasoline and diesel tax are both currently at 17 cents a gallon.

Razer addressed the issue on the floor Wednesday with State Rep. Bart Korman, R-High Hill. Warrenton is located in Korman’s district.

“That took funds away from them (Warrenton) that they could be using for a city purpose, because we (the state) weren’t living up to our responsibilities?” Razer asks Korman.

“Right, or even matching it,” Korman responds.

Korman says MoDOT has eliminated that matching program, because of funding issues.

Korman also says the new interchange is an additional one, which he expects will open in about a month.

Razer served on Missouri’s 21st Century Transportation System Task Force, which released its 87-page report to the legislature in January.

The task force is recommending a ten cent gasoline tax increase and a 12 cent diesel tax increase.

Task force chairman State Rep. Kevin Corlew, R-Kansas City, says ten cent gasoline and 12 cent diesel tax increases would raise about $430 million annually for transportation.

Warrenton’s website notes the city now has more than 8,000 residents, and that the town’s primary sources of external revenue are “service facilities for travelers.”

“Warrenton is the central stopping point for travelers headed to Mizzou football games, the Lake of the Ozarks or to Missouri Wine Country,” the city website reads.

Click here to listen to the Missouri House floor discussion between State Reps. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, and Bart Korman, R-High Hill, that took place on May 16, 2018 in Jefferson City:

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Will transportation funding issue be resolved in final week of Missouri Legislature’s session?

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Midway through this year’s legislative session, House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, told reporters he was hopeful that lawmakers would settle by the end of session on a solution for Missouri’s transportation funding. The chances of resolving the issue in this final week of the state legislature’s regular session could be in the rearview mirror.

State Rep. Bill Reiboldt speaks on the Missouri House floor in 2017 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho, tells Missourinet a gas tax proposal will come up during this final week. One would have to be fast-tracked to get to the finish line before the gavel drops on Friday.

Missouri has not increased its fuel tax in more than 20 years and it remains one of the lowest in the nation – 17 cents per gallon. For years, legislators have failed to get on the same page and agree to a way to boost funding for Missouri’s roads and bridges.

In 2017, lawmakers, Missouri Transportation Department and local officials gathered during a series of statewide task force meetings to discuss how to increase funding for the state’s crippling infrastructure. The formation of the task force suggested there might be more focus during the session to find more funding for the state’s roads and bridges.

Chairman Kevin Corlew, R-Kansas City, said transportation is the biggest issue he’s heard about from citizens during the past decade. The heavy interest in the topic was clear by the many Missourians who attended the statewide task force meetings last summer.

In January, the task force submitted an 87-page report to the legislature. It recommended a ten cent gasoline and 12 cent diesel tax increases would raise about $430 million annually. Under the task force’s recommendation, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) predicts the average Missouri driver would pay about an extra $5 per month at the gas pump.

Reiboldt is sponsoring a bill that would increase the motor fuel tax by 10 cents per gallon for unleaded gasoline and 12 cents per gallon for diesel. If passed, the measure would go on the November election ballot for Missouri voters to decide its fate. His measure has passed out of one House committee and is awaiting consideration by another.

State Rep. Kevin Corlew speaks on the Missouri House floor in March 2017 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

In a proposed tax plan, Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, has included a gradual gas tax increase of six cents by 2023. The measure remains in the Senate.

House Speaker Pro-Tem Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, is proposing to index vehicle user fees to the cost of inflation. According to Haahr, a provision within his massive tax bill would generate about $174 million annually for the state’s road fund. He says it would also provide in its first year alone nearly $60 million in additional money to counties and localities for their local infrastructure budgets. Haahr’s bill awaits consideration by the full Senate.

The Missouri Legislature’s regular session must end by 6 p.m. on Friday.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Highway project in Jefferson City will impact travel to Lake of the Ozarks during summer

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The most traveled route used to access Lake of the Ozarks during its busy summer season will have construction bottlenecks in mid-Missouri’s Jefferson City this year.

Pavement resurfacing and bridgework will close a lane of traffic on U.S. Highway 54 in both the east and westbound directions between mid-May to early August.

Six bridges will be rehabilitated including the ramp bridge that carries eastbound U.S. 50 to eastbound U.S. 54.

One lane of eastbound U.S. 54 will be closed 24-hours a day for a distance of under one mile within Jefferson City limits from early May until work is completed in mid-June.  However, both lanes of traffic will be open during the busy Memorial Day weekend.

One lane of westbound U.S. 54 will be closed around-the-clock in the same portion of the highway between July 9th and August 6th for the same bridge repairs.

Various on and off ramps will be closed to local traffic in both directions during the construction periods.

Rehabilitation work on ramp bridges between U.S. 54 and U.S. 50 will result in closures from June 11th through June 25th.  The detour route for all of those closures will be Business Route 50 (Missouri Boulevard).

Randy Aulbur, Construction and Materials Engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), says the highway construction has to be done during the busy summer travel months because of weather requirements.

“The asphalt work itself, you need temperatures like we’re going to have during the summer months for that to be successful,” said Aulber.  “Since we’re going to be active with the asphalt work, we kinda role that bridge work in alongside it.”

The Lake of the Ozarks area has a population of roughly 125,000 permanent residents, but the number climbs to 300,000 persons on or near the lake in the summertime.

MoDOT says motorists should expect congestion on U.S. 54 during peak travel times, especially on Friday evenings and Sundays when movement to and from Lake of the Ozarks is most pronounced.

During 2016 construction on the Missouri River Bridge (U.S. 54/U.S. 63) in which six lanes were reduced to four, traffic routinely started backing up as early as the noon hour on Sundays with traffic leaving the lake area.

Visitors from the population centers of St. Louis and Kansas City typically travel to the lake on the route that travels through Jefferson City.

Some residents from the St. Louis area will also access Lake of the Ozarks from the south using I-44 to Lebanon and then travel north on State Route 5.  Residents from the Kansas City area can use U.S. 50 to Jefferson City and avoid the construction on U.S. 54 by taking the State Route 179 loop around the city.

The bridges on U.S. 54 in Jefferson City that’ll see construction work this year were built in 1965.  MoDOT’s Aulbur says they’re not being rebuilt, but are part of a rehabilitation project which typically happens every 25-to-30 years on highway bridges.

“For these particular structures, the substructure and the foundations of the bridge itself are still in good enough condition,” Aulbur said.  “And we’re not looking to expand the structure which would maybe bring into that other factor as to why you might look for a replacement.”

The pavement of the stretch of roadway was last resurfaced in 2008.

Aulbur also says the work in Jefferson City which is being done on several bridges at the same time reflects a trend for MoDOT resulting from a more economical bidding process with contractors.

“Definitely on these major thoroughfares where we can see bidding benefit by lumping more work together and creating a better bidding atmosphere, I think you’re definitely going to see that we’re trying to capitalize when that potential is there for that,” said Aulbur.

The overall U.S. 54 project in Jefferson City will start on May 7th and include resurfacing, pavement repair, shoulder repair, and guardrail upgrades.  After the bridge work is complete, there will be nightly lane closures on Route 54 and the adjacent ramps for pavement resurfacing work. The nightly hours are from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and the work is scheduled to be complete by November 1.

The stretch of roadway sees average daily traffic of 28,987 vehicles.  The overall cost of the project is $3,484,383.47.

Veteran Missouri lawmaker looks ahead to county service (AUDIO)

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The Missouri House Transportation Committee Chairman will be the next presiding commissioner in southwest Missouri’s Newton County.

State Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho) speaks on the Missouri House floor in March 2017 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications}

State Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho, who’s unopposed in November, describes Newton County as rural.

“We do have a lot of farms, a lot of county roads, we are bumping, we are a class two county, Newton County and getting close to that class one classification in Missouri,” Reiboldt says.

Newton County has about 58,000 residents.

Reiboldt is scheduled to become the next Newton County Presiding Commissioner in January.

He notes the county has Crowder College and a National Guard facility at the former Camp Crowder site.

Term limits prohibit Reiboldt from running again for the House. He’s in his eighth and final year in Jefferson City.

Reiboldt is most proud of his work on agricultural-related issues in the House. He served as the House Ag Policy Committee’s vice chairman for his first two years, then served as chairman for four years.

“And we saw some really good things come through the House and signed into law,” says Reiboldt. “My dairy bill, my farming rights statewide constitutional amendment. I’m very proud of that.”

Meantime, House Transportation Committee Chairman Reiboldt’s primary seat belt legislation has not received a hearing yet in 2018.

He says the bill could save a minimum of about 60 lives annually in Missouri.

“Safety is a huge issue for our state. I want everybody that uses the roadways, all your families to get home safely. I want to keep the drunks and the texters off our roadways,” Reiboldt says.

Missouri’s transportation system task force has recommended a primary seat belt law, which would allow police officers to enforce the law as a stand-alone offense.

Reiboldt says 64 percent of Missourians killed on the road in 2017 were not wearing seat belts.

 

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho, which was recorded on April 5, 2018 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City: