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"But the question you need to ask yourselves is, 'Do we need to keep pushing to get money for the replacement of the bridge?' and the unequivocal answer is yes. You won't be any further along if you don't start asking for money today," Cook said.
Cook said area officials should form a large coalition that includes as many local citizens as possible.
"You're off to a great start with the committee, but you have to take this group and add numbers," he said. "Get your voters to make some noise."
One idea Cook noted was to get the support from the area Chambers of Commerce.
"When you talk about more revenue for transportation, you're talking about getting the support of the business community. Never in the 15 years that I've been watching transportation politics have I seen a funding increase without the support of businesses," he said.
Cook noted that while local legislators have all shown public support for a new bridge, "you also have to get to the governor."
Missouri's governor appoints the state's six-member bipartisan highways and transportation commission, which has the responsibility of naming the director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.
"That way, the governor can tell MoDOT that you need to make this a priority because the people in Washington are making it a priority," Cook said.
Cook also suggested the committee create a Web site for the coalition.
"The easier you make it to support your cause, the more people you'll get to support your cause," he said.
The consultant also suggested gathering citizens' support through petitions.
"That way, you'll have names, phone numbers, addresses and e-mails to send to the governor," he said. "You don't need a lobbyist. You have about 25,000 lobbyists in this community already, the citizens. Put them to use."
Cook also told local officials that letting the media know about the need for a new bridge multiplies the effect of a coalition.
"You also can stage activities that put congressmen on the spot in a good way. Hold a bridge party down at the riverfront park and invite the governor and legislators to speak at the Washington bridge party."
Burt Schweissguth, bridge committee member, recommended inviting the governor and legislators to take a tour underneath the bridge to see the current state of the structure.
Cook agreed, saying, "They need to see the condition of the bridge. You can also post pictures of the corrosion of the bridge on your Web site. You need to show why it's necessary, not that you just want a new bridge."
Judy Wagner, MoDOT area engineer, also suggested the committee or coalition join with the Missouri Transportation Alliance, a new group formed to help create funding sources for transportation projects across the state.
Federal Support
In addition to gaining support for a new bridge in the state, federal backing also is key, Cook said.
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are forming versions of a new transportation bill to replace the current one that expires Sept. 30.
"Your local representative, Blaine Luetkemeyer, should be advocating with other local representatives, like Russ Carnahan and Sam Graves. If he is not, it's because he has not felt the political pressure from you guys yet," Cook said.
While he said it was too late for Luetkemeyer to request special appropriations or earmarks for a new bridge under the House's version of the transportation bill, it is not too late for the Senate.
Although, Cook noted that Sen. Claire McCaskill has publicly opposed earmarks. There is also the question of whether a new transportation bill will be authorized before Missouri's other senator Christopher "Kit" Bond leaves office in 2010.
"However, Sen. Bond can do a lot of things on his way out the door that he couldn't do if he was running for re-election," Cook said.
He advised committee members to talk to front-runner candidates who may replace Bond in the Senate.
"Make sure when they are campaigning that they are on board with a new bridge or they won't receive votes from this area," he said.
