"2010 means that we are going to go from a construction program currently of $1.2 billion down to $569 million," Pete Rahn, MoDOT director, said. "While that sounds like a lot, what that really means is that we will barely be able to hold together what we have."

With the new Better Roads and Brighter Future program, 85 percent of Missouri highway systems will be in good condition by 2011. The main concern is how to keep the improvements coming when funding runs out in 2010.

The keynote speaker for the conference on transportation was former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens. His suggestion is to privatize Missouri's highways.

"Utilize the private sector. We have tremendous capabilities in terms of finance in terms of construction," Owens said. "And that again is what you're already doing here. I'd encourage Missouri to take an even further look into private capabilities."

For now, MoDOT says it will do what it can to find a solution.

"We're going to have to concentrate and make sure that the public understands how important transportation is to the way we live and the prospects for transportation in the near future," said Rahn. "We are about to drive off a cliff."

MoDOT says it doesn't expect to see any legislation on the issue until 2009. MoDOT is also looking at about a 40 percent decrease in funds. So far, no proposal exists for an official plan to improve funding.