MoDOT Needs Mo’ Money
I promise you that is the last time I am going to use a version of that line. Before I go any further, I want to give a nod to Jonathan in Jeff City, who loves the blog and reads it every day. I won’t get him in trouble by printing his full name or position, but he’ll know who I mean when he reads this. (Not that it would really get him into any trouble, but it’s fun to pretend it would.)
Combest had a nice link yesterday to a Missourinet story about MoDOT Director Pete Rahn’s talk with legislators. The great part about the presentation is its inclusion of notions that would have been almost unthinkable for Missouri just 10 years ago. Many people would probably recoil at the fee for vehicle miles traveled, but I don’t mind it so much — provided it replaces existing taxes (as opposed to just raising new ones), and provided it’s done as part of an annual inspection, and does not involve GPS tracking of your car and where it goes. The idea is worth considering, as are toll roads and public-private partnerships in transportation. It is great for our state that Director Rahn has been such a promoter of new thinking for Missouri.
Rahn may have ideas that are inovative. But Rahn and his associates do not seem to care about the impacts MODOT has on other areas of Missouri. Pete Rahn was informed in April of last year that Modot’s preferred alternate route for the Hwy 63 porject would be seriously impacting the Maries watershed,in a Conservation Opportunity Area, affecting natural springs,active sinkholes,losing streams, collard lizard habitats, forested acreage and natural glades as well as wildlife habitat. MODOT sought Mo. Conservation input and totally ignored their findings. Therefore the MODOT pupose isn’t to protect the environment or to consider the environment.
MODOT has not only ignored environmental concerns, they have ignored the economic concerns of local businesses. They are reporting that there is no controversy for the route study. Economically, small towns will no longer exist if the MODOT preferred route is passed. MODOT turned in a study of “license plate” data, as their professional economic study of local businesses. I am no rocket scientist but I have been a good businessman and successful. I would have suggested that they talk to the business owners and compile tax and receipt information concerning a businesses customer base. I doubt that MODOT will reimburse the small towns for lost revenue when they bypass the towns with their new infrastructure. I also have been taught that when working with individuals and agencies,that creating win-win situations is how one accomplishes goals that are beneficial to all involved. MODOT has not even tried to incorporate other divisions goals with their goal or purpose. They are just railroading their ideas and Rahn is the pawn. IT is not like we are sitting in traffic jams for hours out here in rural Missouri. It would appear to the common sense of most Missourians that just adding turning lanes to the current road and realigning the high accident areas would be sufficient to motorists, businessowners, landowners and the wildlife and environment. That would be a win- win situation, which modot calls unrealistic. I can show you their actual wording in their current DEIS documents that I am currently taking time to scan. They are daunting but I will not be defeated in reading it through. CAll me…if you care about roads and environment and the economy working together for Missouri. IT can be done, PETE. I welcome your call. Let’s do what our new President suggests. Lets make a change in how we do business. Let’s work together. MY number is 573.308.5426 Nick Hilkemeyer…Hilkemeyer General Store since 1901 and Honda dealership since 1963. Working successfully for my community for 4 generations. Seriously call me.
Comment by Nick Hilkemeyer — January 27, 2009 @ 4:26 p.m.