7/7/06-Gov. Matt Blunt signed a bill into law allowing tolls on a proposed Interstate 70 bridge across the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri.
The new law, previously HB1380, allows Missouri to partner with private business – possibly a foreign group – to pay for, build and operate a new bridge in St. Louis that would carry Interstate 70 traffic over the river.
Officials in Illinois would need to approve similar provisions for the project to move forward as a private toll bridge.

5/12/06-The General Assembly wrapped up their work for the year Friday, May 12, but not before approving a bill that would allow tolls on a proposed Interstate 70 bridge across the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri.
House lawmakers voted 134-23 to accept Senate changes to the bill. HB1380 now heads to Gov. Matt Blunt’s desk for his signature.
Sponsored by Rep. Neal St. Onge, R-Ellisville, the measure would allow Missouri to partner with private business – possibly a foreign group – to pay for, build and operate a new bridge in St. Louis that would carry Interstate 70 traffic over the river.
For House bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.

3/30/06-The House voted 128-27 March 30 to approve a bill that would allow tolls on a proposed Interstate 70 bridge across the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri.
Sponsored by Rep. Neal St. Onge, R-Ellisville, HB1380 would allow Missouri to partner with private business to pay for, build and operate a new $910 million bridge in St. Louis that would carry Interstate 70 traffic over the river.
The new bridge is expected to relieve traffic on the Poplar Street Bridge, which carries traffic from Interstates 55, 64 and 70. Plans call for building an eight-lane bridge, relocating I-70 in Illinois and constructing an I-70 interchange in Missouri.
The tolls would be up to the private entity to collect.
The bill has been sent to the Senate for further consideration. If approved, it would move to Gov. Matt Blunt’s desk for his signature.
For House bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.

3/7/06-The House Transportation Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would allow tolls on a long-planned Mississippi River bridge between Illinois and Missouri.
Sponsored by Rep. Neal St. Onge, R-Ellisville, HB1380 would allow Missouri to partner with a private group to fund, build and operate a new $910 million bridge that would connect to Interstate 70 in St. Louis.
Plans call for building an eight-lane bridge, relocating I-70 in Illinois and constructing an I-70 interchange in Missouri.
The bill now heads to the full House for further consideration.
For House bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.

1/31/06-Rep. Neal St. Onge, R-Ellisville, has introduced a bill that would allow tolls on a long-planned Mississippi River bridge between Illinois and Missouri.
HB1380 would allow Missouri to partner with a private group to fund, build and operate a new $910 million bridge that would connect to Interstate 70 in St. Louis.
Plans call for building an eight-lane bridge, relocating I-70 in Illinois and constructing an I-70 interchange in Missouri.
The bill is awaiting assignment to a committee.
For House bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.
A similar Senate bill – SB938 – is in the Senate Transportation Committee.