Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Thursday, December 12, 2002

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Senator Kit Bond today discussed his views on Missouri's transportation needs at the Missouri Transportation & Development Council's "Incremental Successes" Conference.

"Anyone who has driven on Missouri's highways knows we can – and must – do better," said Bond, who will become chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Nuclear Safety. "While there are no easy answers, I hope we can improve Missouri's position in the highway bill. To do that, it is vital that Missourians of all stripes – Democrat, Republican, rural and urban – pull together. "

The Conference addressed issues for the future of Missouri's transportation system. Bond used this opportunity to build upon the number of transportation meetings he has held across the state to begin the reauthorization of the federal highway bill.

The meetings across the state, including the Conference, will provide Bond the opportunity to hear directly from state and local leaders. And they will allow state and local leaders and Bond to begin working closely together on a unified strategy to improve Missouri's transportation infrastructure.

Along with Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, Chairman of the full Environment and Public Works Committee, Bond will help write the law that, in large part, governs how and where tens of billions of federal dollars are spent to improve the nation's highways. "Since I will be chairman of the subcommittee in charge of rewriting the federal highway bill, Missouri has a well-positioned seat at the table," said Bond. "This is especially important because Congress only updates this law once every six years. Missouri has received $3.7 billion in federal highway funds since Congress rewrote the bill in 1998."

The new law builds upon previous reauthorizations, including the 1992 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and the 1998 Transportation Equity Act, which expires September 30, 2003.

Located in the geographic center of the nation, Missouri is home to the country's sixth largest highway network. Unfortunately, the condition of Missouri's roads and highways has lagged far behind their increased use. In fact, in many parts of the state, poor roadway conditions have led to high accident and fatality rates.

For further information on the reauthorization of the highway bill, please visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/index.htm.