Matt Blunt Balances Budget on Backs of Bicyclists

According to a story in the Kansas City Star (Bridge path would be treat), Governor Matt Blunt doesn't want to spend Federal transportation grants to transform an old railroad bridge to a hiking/biking trail:

Not so fast, says the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Why won't Missouri tap some of its $37 million in federal transportation enhancement funds to fix the bridge?

Gov. Matt Blunt — reversing a decision by the previous administration — recently gave the Union Pacific Railroad authorization to tear the bridge down and sell the steel as salvage.

No word on why the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy cannot come up with the required $2,000,000 of its budget to actually put into practice its name; undoubtedly, its budget of private money sent in by people who support its goals has higher priorities in fund-raising, press-releasing, and seminar-having.

Instead, the Missouri state government should take a portion of its share of Federal tax money gleaned from citizens in Missouri as well as Wyoming, Utah, Mississippi, and the rest to turn this unused railroad bridge to something that the vacationing well-to-do will use, but the vast majority of Missourians will not.

I say, if the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy or another private group can match the price of the scrap and sign a contract to improve the bridge, they can have it. Otherwise, scrap it.