Mayor Slay Announces Priority Projects for State-Proposed  3/4 Cent Transportation Sales Tax

The project list may be downloaded here.

"Supporting the sales tax was not an easy decision," Mayor Slay said. "The tax is regressive and will make our sales tax rate very high. On the other hand, we must invest in our infrastructure to make our City a better place to live and to compete in a global economy. The sales tax can be used for all modes of transportation. The gas tax has been and will continue to be limited to roads and bridges."

Mayor Slay used several principles to guide the selection of the City's transportation priorities:

• First, he wants to make St. Louis a city where people can live, work and play without being dependent on a car, whether that is by choice or because they cannot afford a car.
• Reducing emissions: the selection of the projects was guided by the Mayor's Sustainability Plan.
• Making more of our neighborhoods more livable for everyone, including a focus on making sidewalks and streets accessible to people with disabilities.
• Creating jobs: sometimes that means supporting old fashioned modes of transportation like barges and trucks to move goods.
• Improving safety, including fixing deficient bridges.
• Finally, the Mayor targeted areas of the City that have seen disinvestment for a long time.

The project list will be the basis for a Total Transportation Plan for the City, whether the sales tax passes or not. The list includes $72 million for Complete Streets, $67 million for transit, $66 million for roads and bridges, $27 million for bike and pedestrian transportation, and $4 million for a Total Transportation Center in the new police headquarters. The investment in roads and bridges is only 25 percent of the City's allotment.

"If approved, these projects would improve our quality of life, bolster our sustainability, make our City safer, improve the environment and our economy," Mayor Slay said.

In addition to the City's Sustainability Plan, the priority projects selection has been guided by East-West Gateway Counsel of Government's Ten Guiding Principles for Long-Range Transportation Plan, which include:

1. Preserve and maintain the existing system
2. Support public transportation
3. Support neighborhoods and communities throughout the region
4. Foster a vibrant downtown
5. Provide more transportation choices
6. Promote safety and security
7. Support a diverse economy throughout the region
8. Support quality job development
9. Strengthen intermodal connections
10. Link transportation planning to housing, environment, education and energy