6 Ways Street Improvements Are Funded in STL
- latebloomeragency
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
Understanding St. Louis City Government Funding for Infrastructure Projects
St. Louis City’s infrastructure is supported through various funding sources that help improve streets, traffic systems, and public services. These funds come from federal, state, and local revenue streams, which are allocated for projects that benefit residents and the city's overall development. Let’s explore the key funds that help drive these crucial improvements.
Federal Funding for Street Improvements
Federal funding plays a vital role in St. Louis' infrastructure development.
For example, over $40 million has been allocated to enhance the condition of five major streets in St. Louis: Goodfellow, Grand, Jefferson, Kingshighway, and Union. It was primarily used for resurfacing, providing ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) upgrades, and improving overall safety. In addition, traffic calming measures such as lane reductions, roadway narrowing, bumpouts, medians, and new striping are being implemented thanks to pandemic-era federal funding known as ARPA.
Key Considerations:
Local/State Matching Funds: Some federal funding opportunities require matching funds from local or state sources.
Uncertainties Over Time: Federal funding levels can fluctuate, which may introduce uncertainties into long-term project planning.
The Street Department Budget
The Street Department Budget is another critical funding source that covers a wide range of city services. These include:
Traffic lights, signals, and signage
Trash service management
Pothole patching, snow plowing, and street sweeping
Street lighting, signs, and traffic control
This funding ensures that daily maintenance and essential services are delivered efficiently to residents across St. Louis.
Read more about what the Street Department can do here.
The Capital Improvements Fund
The Capital Improvements Fund supports significant, long-term infrastructure projects and is part of a five-year plan designed to address the city's needs.
The most recent capital plan, estimated at $256.3 million, includes projects in three primary categories:
Facility Improvements & Equipment Replacements
Neighborhood Stabilization Projects
Road and Bridge Improvements
Funding Sources for the Capital Improvements Fund
Local Funding: Primarily derived from a ½ cent sales tax, which is projected to generate $22.7 million for FY 2025.
State Funding: Including revenue from gas taxes, projected to provide $7.7 million in FY 2025 specifically for road and bridge improvements.
Federal Funding
Gaming Revenue
Capital Committees and Advisory Boards
Two key committees help oversee and advise on how capital funding is spent in St. Louis:
1. Capital Committee: Focuses on long-term infrastructure planning and funding allocation.
2. Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Capital Expenditures: Provides public input and helps ensure transparency in how funds are allocated.
Ward Capital Improvement Sales Tax (Ward Capital)
Each St. Louis ward receives a portion of the Ward Capital Improvement Sales Tax, known locally as Ward Capital.
This fund is dedicated to improving neighborhood infrastructure, such as fixing potholes, repairing sidewalks, and installing street lights and speed bumps.
For FY 2025, approximately $11.1 million has been allocated, with each of the city’s wards receiving $700,000.
Ward Capital Key Allocations
Ward capital is distributed equally across all wards, and each Alderperson determines how these funds are spent. Do you know what your ward alderperson is spending your ward capital on?
If you're curious about what your Alderperson has budgeted for FY 2025, you can explore the full Capital Improvements Plan here: FY 2025 Capital Improvements Plan.
St. Louis Works (Street Improvement Fund)
The St. Louis Works fund, also known as the Street Improvement Fund, is generated by a portion of the city's utility taxes (gas and electricity) and the state car sales tax.
In FY 2025, the Board of Aldermen allocated $5.2 million from this fund to address various street-related issues, ensuring continuous investment in the city's roads and public infrastructure.
MoDOT's Role in Maintaining St. Louis Roads
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) plays a key role in keeping St. Louis' roads and highways in good condition.
While the city handles local streets, MoDOT is responsible for maintaining the major highways and interstates that run through St. Louis, such as Interstate 64 (I-64), Interstate 55 (I-55), and Interstate 44 (I-44).
MoDOT’s responsibilities include:
Road Resurfacing and Repaving
Bridge Maintenance and Repair
Traffic Management
Snow and Ice Removal
Construction and Improvement Projects
Learn more about MODOT's specific projects in STL by reading more here.
How Does MoDOT Get Its Funding?
MoDOT relies on several funding sources to maintain and improve Missouri’s highways, including those in St. Louis. Here are the main ways MoDOT gets its money:
Fuel Taxes: A significant portion of MoDOT’s funding comes from state gas taxes. These taxes are paid by drivers when they fill up their cars and trucks. The money collected helps fund road repairs, construction, and maintenance.
Federal Funding: MoDOT also receives funds from the federal government through programs like the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This money supports large construction projects and highway improvements.
State Funding: MoDOT gets additional funding from the state of Missouri, which may include general revenue or special state taxes set aside for transportation.
Toll Revenue: Some parts of Missouri have toll roads, and the money collected from tolls helps fund the maintenance and improvement of those specific roads.
Motor Vehicle Sales Tax: A portion of the sales tax on vehicle purchases in Missouri also goes to transportation projects managed by MoDOT.
These funding sources help MoDOT keep Missouri’s roads, including St. Louis highways, safe and maintained for all drivers.
Conclusion
St. Louis uses different types of funding to improve and maintain the city's streets and services. This includes money from the federal government, the state, and local taxes. These funds help with big projects like fixing roads, adding new streetlights, and improving sidewalks.
Each neighborhood gets some of this money, and the city’s leaders decide how it’s spent. Knowing where this money comes from and how it’s used helps everyone understand how the city works to make life better for all residents.
留言