By Adam Allington, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Missouri politicians and business leaders met in St. Louis Friday to explore new ideas to fund a proposed Mississippi River bridge.
The project has been stalled because of a disagreement between Missouri and Illinois about funding construction with tolls.
Illinois leaders say tolls would unfairly burden cross-river commuters.
Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan said the time has come to explore other options. He said that if the state doesn't act soon the project risks losing $289 million in federal earmarks.
"Clearly we have to look beyond tolls," Carnahan said. "That may be part of a solution but we have to look at non toll options as well."
Other options being considered are a special tax or bonds tied to future economic development.