Bill introduced to make I-70 a toll road in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Sen. Mike Kehoe has introduced a bill that could eventually lead to Interstate 70 becoming a toll road basically from Kansas City to Saint Louis.

Kehoe is a former member of the State Transportation Commission. His bill would authorize the transportation commission to investigate a possible public/private partnership to rebuild I-70.

Kehoe said creative financing is needed to find ways to pay for much needed repairs on I-70.

The actual plan would have a public-private partnership to rebuild I-70 from Interstate 64 (Highway 40) to Interstate 470 that goes around Kansas City.

Kehoe said if a private company is hired to do the work, money from a toll would repay that company.

Brian Kidwell, an engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation, explained that I-70 is 55 years old. It is the oldest piece of interstate in the nation. He explained that the state spends $90 million a year resurfacing it.

But he said underneath the asphalt, the roadbed is crumbling.

MoDOT is proposing two ideas to upgrade I-70. One idea is adding one lane which would cost $2 billion dollars.

The second idea would add two lanes separating trucks from motorists.

Some truckers and motorists who drive on I-70 are upset about the plan to make I-70 a toll road.

“I pay 300 or 400 a week in taxes and I can’t afford anymore,” said trucker Tracy Calton.

Motorist Luda Stevens said, “I don’t like it. I will probably choose 50 Highway and back roads instead.”