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
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Severe storms move through NE KS
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
LATEST STORIES
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Brown Co Sheriff's Office releases April stats
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Commission takes action related to bridge project
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire