The 8th Congressional District is centrally located and therefore has a significant amount of traffic, commercial and commuter, throughout the district. Safe and reliable roads are essential to our way of life, as well as the rural economy. As an advocate for our rural district, I have supported numerous transportation projects throughout the district, from Highways 60 and 67, to interstate interchanges and the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. It is absolutely vital that our transportation infrastructure is functional and safe.

Rural areas face unique challenges that many from urban districts overlook. We often travel great distances to get to work, church, or run basic errands and therefore rely on safe roadways to transport us to where we need to go. With the significant distances we travel, we also disproportionally impacted when the federal or state government contemplates increases in the gas taxes. We also lack the public transit systems that many in urban areas rely upon; therefore we must find other means to transport individuals who do not have their own vehicle.

In Congress, I will continue to be a voice for our rural transportation needs. With the Highway Bill due up for the 111th Congress, I will work to find solutions to address the backlog in transportation infrastructure, as well as seek new and innovative ways to keep the Federal Highway Trust Fund a viable source of revenue.

Links of Interest:

Missouri Department of Transportation: www.MODOT.org
U.S. Department of Transportation: www.dot.gov