Missouri lawmaker prefiles bill proposing I-70 expansion

COLUMBIA, Mo.

State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-St. Charles) prefiled a bill ahead of the legislative session that would use a portion of Missouri's $6 Billion surplus to expand Interstate 70.

The proposal filed on Thursday would set aside funds to rebuild Interstate 70 from a two-lane highway, to a four-lane highway in both directions.

Funding for the project would set aside 2% of Missouri's existing general revenue for 10 years. Eigel said the money would be set aside to a "dedicated I-70 reconstruction fund."

Over the course of 10 years Eigel estimates about $2.5 billion would be raised for the project.

"We're sending more money to Jefferson City than they've ever before," Eigel said. "We want to make sure that money gets used for something that is going to benefit the state."

Executive Director of Missourians for Transportation Investment Jeff Glenn said his organization believes that investing in infrastructure should be a high priority.

"Interstate 70 is certainly an economic engine for the state of Missouri, and it's in dire need of expansion and repair," Glenn said.

James Burns -- a Salt Like City truck driver who drives through Missouri on Interstate 70 twice a week -- said he's in favor of the expansion.

"It would help the flow of traffic across here," Burns said.

Burns said it's hard for truckers to slow down, and they get citations if they drive in the left lane.

"I'd like to see it past, but I'd also like to see less accidents," he said.

The bill was initially presented in 2017 during Eigel's first year in office. The bill is still in the very early stages, and would have to be passed by the House in the Senate, and then signed by Gov. Mike Parson.

"If the Governor signs it, then we would set up a system to create the I-70 funds," he said.