Would Create 14,000 Jobs and Return $2.4 Billion to the State's Economy
JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Department of Transportation is ready to go with 34 transportation projects that could be awarded within 180 days of passage of an economic stimulus package that contains at least $25 billion for transportation infrastructure investments nationwide. The projects, which would total about $510 million, would create about 14,000 jobs and have a $2.4 billion impact on the state's economy. Given additional funding beyond $510 million, significant portions of four additional highway projects totaling roughly $290 million could be under way in 2009.
MoDOT outlined the road, bridge, air, rail, transit, waterway and pedestrian projects it could readily accomplish at a meeting today of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.
"We stand ready to quickly deliver 34 transportation improvements that would mean jobs, increased safety and a better quality of life for Missourians," MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. "These are much-needed projects that will benefit Missouri citizens, and we urge Congress to act positively on an economic stimulus package that includes a minimum of $25 billion for transportation infrastructure projects."
Rahn said federal funding for infrastructure projects would have a vital ripple effect. It would create jobs for road builders and designers and demand for related supplies and services, as well as further economic development around the improvements.
"The job creation will go beyond just those building the projects," Rahn said. "Suppliers, retailers, restaurants, hotels and other businesses will benefit."
MoDOT would be ready to go with about $137 million of work on Interstates 70, 44, 55, 35 and 29. Approximately $60 million would go toward fixing the state's lettered routes in rural Missouri. The rest would be used on a variety of transportation projects throughout the state. A complete list of the proposed projects can be found at http://www.modot.org/.
"Under our proposed plan, all forms of travel would benefit, not just highways, and projects would be spread throughout the state to ensure all regions reap some of the economic gain," Rahn said.
Seventeen of the proposed projects are already included in the state's five-year construction program, but would be sped up, some by up to four years. Projects would then be added to the statewide construction program to replace those that were accelerated. Seventeen are new projects that have been identified as regional priorities and on which environmental work and preliminary design are already under way.
Rahn said Congress should not be concerned road and bridge improvements couldn't be put into place fast enough to provide the desired economic relief.
"We know we can award $510 million worth of work or more within 180 days of the stimulus bill's passage, with a considerable amount in less time," Rahn said. "Investing in our infrastructure is the best course of action Congress could take. Not only would it provide an immediate economic shot in the arm, but it would yield the long-term benefits of safer highways and enhanced quality of life."
Rahn said any stimulus package couldn't come too soon. He noted many states have had to delay projects because of the decline in revenue generated by fuel use and motor vehicle sales. While MoDOT has not yet had to postpone or cancel projects, state revenues are down almost 5 percent for the first four months of the fiscal year - about an $18 million decline. If the trend continues, the state could face a $73 million shortfall by the end of the fiscal year.
Editor's note: Here is the list of the proposed projects. The Ready to Go logo can be found at www.modot.org/newsroom. Recorded comments will also be posted on the newsroom site later today, so please check back.
MoDOT's Ready-to-Go Transportation Projects
Adair County, Route 63 - Construct 6 miles of new two-lane roadway on four-lane right of way on east side of Kirksville from Benton Way to southern Route 6 connection. $18 million
Atchison County, Route 136 - Painting, new deck and bridge repairs on Missouri River bridge at Brownville, NE. $9 million
Barry/Lawrence/Christian/Greene Counties, Route 60 - Construct alternating/intermittent passing lanes from east of Chapell Drive in Monett to Kansas Avenue in Republic. $23 million
Barton/Bates Counties, Route 71 - Convert four at-grade intersections at Route 52, Route 126, Routes DD/EE and Routes V/C to interchanges as part of I-49 upgrade. $27 million
Benton County, Routes 83/65/7 - Painting and/or rehabilitation of bridges on Route 83 over Truman Lake near Mockingbird Road; Route 65 over the Osage River near Warsaw; and Route 7 over Truman Lake (Osage Arm Bridge and Grand River Arm Bridge). $19 million
Boone County, Route 63/COLT Railroad - Build railroad bridge over Route 63 north of Route B in Columbia. $9 million
Cape Girardeau County, SEMO Port - Construct new rail line above flood region. $1 million
Clay County, Route 1 - Sidewalk improvements from Vivion Road to 72nd Street. $1.5 million
Clay County, Route 169 - Sidewalk improvements from Route 92 to Route KK. $1.5 million
Clay County, Route 210 - Widen to four lanes from Eldon Road to Route 291. $32 million
Clinton County, Route 35 - Resurface north and southbound lanes from north of Shoal Creek to north of Route 116 near Lathrop. $18 million
Cooper County, Route 70 - Pavement improvements on westbound lanes from 0.3 mile east of Route B to Lamine River. $7 million
Crawford County, Route 44 - Pavement rehabilitation on westbound lanes from 0.6 mile west of Route H to Phelps County line. $2 million
Franklin County, Route 44 - Pavement rehabilitation on eastbound and westbound lanes from Route 30 to east of Bourbeuse River. $44 million
Greene County, Route 65 - Widen to six lanes from I-44 to Route 60 (James River Freeway).$37 million
Jackson County, Route 150 - Widen from two lanes to four lanes from Horridge Road to Route 291. $17 million
Johnson County, Knob Noster Rail Project - Construct 0.86 mile of parallel track near Knob Noster and Route 23. $7 million
Johnson County, Skyhaven Airport - Construct new airport apron. $2 million
Lafayette County, Route 70 - Pavement improvements on eastbound and westbound lanes from
Jackson County line to Odessa. $8 million
Miller County, Route 17 - Replace Osage River bridge 1 mile east of Tuscumbia. $9 million
New Madrid County, New Madrid Port - Construct railroad extension and warehouse.$2 million
Pemiscot County, Route 55 - Pavement rehabilitation on northbound lanes from Arkansas state line to I-155. $11 million
Pemiscot/New Madrid Counties, Route 55 - Pavement rehabilitation on northbound and southbound lanes from I-155 to Scott County. $22 million
Phelps County, Route 44 - Major pavement rehabilitation/reconstruction on westbound lanes from Business Loop 44 (Rolla) to Sugartree Road Interchange. $12 million
Platte County, Route 29 - Resurface pavement and shoulders on northbound and southbound lanes at various locations from Route 273 to Vivion Road. $12 million
St. Charles County 364/94/Page Avenue - Extend Page Avenue from 0.4 mile east of Jungermann to 0.3 mile west of Central School Road. $49 million
St. Louis County, Route 67 - Pedestrian improvements from I-270 to Old St. Charles Road.$1 million
St. Louis County, Route 141 - Add turn and auxiliary lanes from Route 40/I-64 to St. Luke's Hospital Drive in Chesterfield, and Town and Country. $8 million
St. Louis County, Route AC - Pedestrian improvements from Route 67 to I-270. $1 million
Scott County, Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport - Overlay runway at Sikeston Airport.$3 million
Statewide Minor Routes - Provide 700 to 1,400 miles of pavement improvements to statewide lettered rural routes. $30 - $60 million
Statewide Transit - Purchase 200 public transit vehicles statewide. $10 - $20 million
Taney County, Route 76 - Sidewalk improvements from Roark Valley Road to Gretna.$1 million
Wayne County, Route 34 - Widen, build shoulders and straighten two locations between Route N and Piedmont. $16 million
Given additional funding beyond $510 million, significant portions of these four projects totaling $290 million could be awarded during calendar year 2009.
Jackson County, Route 435/70 Interchange - Construct new half diamond interchange at Route 40/I-435, replace Blue Ridge Cut-off bridge over I-70, add lanes to I-70 and modify some ramps. $32 million
Jefferson County, Route 55 - Add lanes, relocate existing weigh station, replace eight bridges and revise Route M interchange from Route M to Route Z. $68 million
McDonald County, Route 71 - Construct freeway from Pineville to Arkansas state line.$74 million
St. Louis County, Route 141 - Construct Route 141 on relocation from Route 340 to St. Luke's Hospital Drive. $116 million
