Missouri won't insist on tolls for new bridge

From the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 05/24/2007
By Ken Leiser

Missouri has proposed a scaled-down Mississippi River bridge north of the Edward Jones Dome that could be built without tolls.

The proposal was outlined in an April 10 letter from Missouri's top highway official to his Illinois counterpart at a time when talks between the two states had intensified, according to a source familiar with the document.

The two states have talked for years about building a new river span to alleviate traffic congestion across the Mississippi. Another bridge would also provide another crossing during repairs or incidents on the Poplar Street Bridge, transportation officials say.

Illinois and Missouri officials have been at a stalemate for months over how to pay for the crossing. Illinois proposed a four-lane companion to the Martin Luther King Bridge and Missouri proposed a larger bridge funded partially with tolls.

In a letter by Missouri Transportation Director Pete Rahn, the state proposed building the bridge north of the Dome, at the location originally eyed for an eight-lane crossing.

The bridge, according to a source familiar with the letter, could be built at roughly the same cost as the four-lane companion to the Martin Luther King Bridge that Illinois officials had sought.

Congress approved $239 million for the bridge two years ago, and congressional leaders have warned that the funding would be in jeopardy if the states don't come up with a funding plan.

Mike Jones, senior policy adviser to St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, agreed the "clock is ticking" on Missouri and Illinois to reach agreement before Congress considers redirecting the money elsewhere.

"That is the pressure point," he said.

Missouri leaders said previously that they don't have enough money for the state's share of a $1 billion, eight-lane span. The latest bridge proposal would cost roughly $575 million.

The bridge would be four traffic lanes %u2014 two in each direction %u2014 and wouldn't require collecting tolls from motorists.

Illinois officials oppose tolls that would fall heavily on Metro East commuters.

Under the proposal, Missouri also would ensure Illinois that its contribution to the project would be no more than what it would have paid under the King Bridge companion. Missouri would likely have to borrow to come up with its $69 million share.

Rahn declined to comment on the contents of the letter. Mike Claffey, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said Wednesday that it is "positive news" that Missouri was no longer pushing tolls.

Despite the apparent breakthrough, transportation officials in both states say there is still no agreement on the bridge.

"We are aware the two states have been talking, which is good," said Les Sterman, executive director of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. "Missouri has seemingly backed off tolls, which is good. Until we see a real proposal and have a chance to evaluate it, I think it is hard for anyone to come to any real judgment."