News and Information from February 2021

A Message from the Executive Director

Hopefully, you like the new duds. The above logo was the first phase in the development of our new website. Our Transportation Planning Committee will get a look at two design concepts of the new site at our meeting next week. Once the design and layout is agreed upon we will then work to craft the content for the site and move all of our data and planning documents over. It is my goal to ensure the end result will be something everyone will be proud of and not hesitate to share with others. The purpose of the project is to enhance the accessibility of the site, effectively communicate our organization's purpose, and provide relative planning documentation and information to community members and stakeholders in the region.

"Okay Alex, enough with the website. What's going on with new infrastructure legislation?" How fortuitous, I'm glad you asked. The current administration has signaled the prioritization of two major legislative initiatives. The first being a stimulus bill that includes COVID relief. After an overnight session, the Senate approved a budget resolution for a $1.9 trillion stimulus package on February 5th. The House Budget Committee passed the Senate-amended budget plan shortly after. It is anticipated that we will see the final details of this plan (reconciliation bill) come to fruition sometime in March. All indications point to infrastructure being next. President Biden’s campaign plan to “build a modern, sustainable infrastructure and an equitable clean energy future” can be found by clicking the button below. The plan contains details of an additional $2 trillion investment in Infrastructure, Transit, Power Sector, Buildings, Housing, Innovation, Agriculture and Conservation, and Environmental Justice.

Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update

Can you see a finish line yet? It is certainly becoming more clear with the release of this latest draft of our 2021 - 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for public comment. It has certainly been a journey! If you can remember, we started this process "officially" in October of 2020. Several Steering Committee Meetings, Nine Focus Group Interviews consisting of over 60 members collectively, and two virtual Public Open Houses later, the times, as they say, have found us.  But we are not there yet. We are still accepting feedback on our 2021 - 2045 MTP. So please feel free to review the current document and let us know your thoughts.

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan includes:
  ·  Goals, objectives, strategies and performance measures;
  ·  Fiscally constrained and Illustrative projects;
  ·  Estimated project costs;
  ·  Potential funding sources; and
  ·  An implementation plan.

I also have to commend KLG Engineering and the Lochmueller Group for their partnership in the development of this plan. Obstacles, easy to say there were a few. But I was very impressed with the level of engagement they were able to foster, which is also a testament to our community. 

Missouri Motor Fuel Tax Proposals

Two separate proposals are currently being considered in the Missouri House and Senate. The proposal in the House was introduced by Rep. Becky Ruth, chair of the House Transportation Committee. Her proposal, HB 1044, would phase in a 10-cent motor fuel tax increase over a five year span commencing on January 1, 2022. Adopting an approach coined the "South Carolina Model", the proposal also authorizes rebates to those who pay the additional tax increase through proof of receipts and outlines the process in which individuals may claim such rebates.  Senator Dave Schatz, who is championing a gas tax proposal in the upper chamber, said HB 1044 is a “very creative idea.” Senator Schatz has introduced SB 262 which is a proposal that would phase in a 15-cent motor fuel tax increase over six years. Similar to HB 1055, SB 262 also authorizes individuals who pay the tax increase an ability to file a claim for a refund on the additional tax paid and outlines a process to file the claims. The buttons below will provide you with the status and summary of the two current bills under consideration.

Changes in Traffic Due to COVID-19

MoDOT has indicated that they will most likely discontinue the traffic changes report sometime in the Spring as their numbers have been slowly tracking closer to normalcy.  Statewide passenger traffic is down 16% since the public health emergency began (3/15/20 – 2/6/21). This is a one percent increase in passenger traffic as was reported in January. The data from February show passenger traffic down 9% as compared to 2020. While this is an increase from January's reporting of negative 6%, this increase may also be due to the weather we experienced. 

Commercial traffic statewide continues to perform better than passenger traffic statewide with an average decrease of 2% since March 15, 2020. This is a 1% increase in commercial traffic reported in January. The month of January experienced an increase of 3% in commercial traffic as compared to 2020 and the data from February shows an increase of 4% as compared to 2020 for commercial traffic statewide. 

Roadway Fatalities Update

The Southeast District has experienced 16 fatalities on the roadways in 2021 so far. Of these 16 fatalities only four were buckled. Cape Girardeau County has experienced two fatalities in 2021.  This is more fatalities at this time in the year since at least 2016 for our County. In a statewide analysis, while comparing urban versus rural areas, urban areas have accounted for 24 fatalities while rural areas have experienced 74 fatalities so far in 2021. This would leave one to believe that it isn't just traffic congestion that has lead to these losses. This is always a somber report to provide, but it is important that we continue to focus on roadway safety and support initiatives that keep us all safer.

Statewide Planning Partners Conference

Did you miss the Statewide Planning Partners Conference this past February 10th hosted by MoDOT? I know some of you did because I was able to attend remotely and enjoy the conference in its entirety. For those interested in some of the topics discussed, such as the 2021 STIP, the Unfunded Needs List Update, Transportation Alternatives Program, Safety Updates, and more, MoDOT has separate recordings of each session as well a presentation materials posted on their website. The button below will take you to their site to view these topics.

SEMPO Trivia

On one kilowatt hour of energy, how many laps could an electric scooter complete around the Kansas City Chief's Arrowhead Stadium?

a. 88 Laps
b. 111 Laps
c. 222 Laps
d. 333 Laps
e. 555 Laps
f. All the Laps

Be the first one to respond to my email (amcelroy@cityofcape.org) with the correct answer and I'll bring the drink of your choice to our next meeting.

Electric Vehicle Charging Problem

Ominous title, I know. But this is not a pessimistic video about electric vehicles. Several SEMPO members have expressed an interest in pursuing an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan as part of our upcoming work plan for the year. I found this video informative as to some of the challenges the electric vehicle industry faces as we near, what the video posits, inevitable proliferation of electric vehicles. 

Transportation Tweet

Transportation Quote

"I have come to believe that there are infinite passageways out of the shadows, infinite vehicles to transport us into the light."

― Martha Beck