One Option, More Coming

There is a report out today about one way to fund a new Mississippi River bridge. It evaluates an option known as the concessionaire model. Under this public/private model, a concessionaire would be chosen through a competitive process. The concessionaire would build the bridge and collect tolls to pay for it.

While this is an option, it is only one of a number of options being evaluated. At my request, Stifel Nicolaus & Company is studying every other viable option available. Their study will be comprehensive and data driven. Stifel expects to complete the report in about 45 days.

When Stifel is finished with its work, we will have a side-by-side comparison of all of the viable options. Then, decision makers can decide which one will work best for us.

I do know this: There should be a new Mississippi River Bridge — and it will only happen if Missouri and Illinois work together.