ORRICK – Michael T. Waters, Orrick, now leads the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission chairman. In his new role after five years on the commission, Waters will have increased authority – including conducting meetings and executing documents – but does not have the final say over all highway projects. He will not, to use area examples, be able to widen Highway 13 to four lanes from Clinton north to Hamilton, or to widen Highway 210 to four lanes from Richmond west to Highway 291 in Clay County. “Someday, I sure hope it will happen,” Waters said, but like everyone else, he will have to wait. The only way to get that kind of work done would be for voters to agree to increase user fees on fuel, he said. Fuel-efficient vehicles mean less money is paid for gas, which means less money to repair and replace roads and bridges. Although paying less for gas, motorists are driving just as much or more, and doing just as much or more road and bridge damage, Waters said. “Expenses…