JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri transportation officials are cautioning that the state could see a rise in traffic fatalities and bridge closures following the defeat of a proposed sales tax.
State transportation commissioners held a subdued meeting Wednesday, a day after voters rejected a three-quarters cent sales tax for transportation by 59 percent of the vote. The proposal would have raised at least $540 million annually for the next decade and funded over 800 transportation projects.
Without additional revenue, transportation commissioners say that by 2017 they won't have enough money to adequately maintain roads and bridges.
Commissioners fear traffic fatalities will go up if they can't improve rural two-lane roads that lack shoulders. They said the state could have to close some bridges if it lacks the money to repair them.
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Severe storms move through NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Commission approves agreement for budget help
Council hears report from golf course
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
NVCH receives $415,000 grant for expansion project
LATEST STORIES
Road, railway repairs, underway in Atchison this week
KS replacement plates see long wait times
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
One injured in Holt County MO wreck
Field survey set in Brown Co at U.S 77/K-20 junction
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Pawnee County Rural Health Clinic participating in DHHS program
Local students participation in Peru State research expo
Meetings to help with Homestead Exemptions scheduled in Johnson County