93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) signed legislation into law in August that provides $2.8 billion to rebuild and expand I-70 to six lanes across Missouri, from St. Louis to Kansas City. The governor signed the bipartisan bill at Moberly Area Community College’s parking lot in Columbia, near I-70. A key state lawmaker doesn’t like that project. Missouri House Transportation Accountability Committee chair Don Mayhew (R-Crocker) describes the $2.8 billion I-70 plan as the biggest boondoggle in Missouri history. He’s filed a one-page bill that changes the name of I-70 in Missouri to I-44 and the name of I-44 in Missouri to I-70. Chairman Mayhew joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that I-44 in his district should be six-laned. Mayhew, a former MoDOT engineer, says he can’t find a single MoDOT engineering reason describing why I-70 should be six lanes. He also tells listeners that I-44 has nine times more freight tonnage than I-70. Chairman Mayhew jokes it must be the name, so hence the bill. He’s trying to send a message:
State Rep. Don Mayhew (R-Crocker) speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on January 11, 2023 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)
Representative Mayhew needs to drive up to I-70 during the week and observe just how much traffic there REALLY IS! I’ve driven a semi on both 70 & 44, and there’s NO way traffic is heavier on 44. And as far as the 9 mile project on 44, I guess he doesn’t realize how many hills and curves are in that section. I-70 is relatively straight, with only a few bigger hills, so adding a 3rd lane in each direction would be much easier. Because of the volume of vehicles on 70, I try to avoid it as much as possible. 2 of the worst factors on 70 are Speed, and people that refuse to get out of the left lane. Neither of those are dealt with by the highway patrol. Fines for breaking both of these laws should be increased, and that money put into hiring more officers!