Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to meet Tuesday in Cape

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission will meet Tuesday in Cape Girardeau.

The commission last met here in 2006.

Commissioners will convene the meeting at 10 a.m. at the Osage Centre. The meeting is open to the public.

Commissioner Michael Pace of West Plains, Missouri, said “it is important for us to see what is going on” around the state in terms of transportation projects and needs.

It also gives area residents a chance to speak to the commission about transportation issues of concern to them.

Pace, who has served on the commission for nearly two years, said the public meeting provides “a forum for anyone who wants to address the commission.”

Mark Shelton, district engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Southeast District, will update commissioners on projects in the region, Pace said.

Pace said the commission meets in Jefferson City during the legislative session but seeks to hold its monthly meetings around the state during the other six months of the year.

Commission meetings typically cover two days, with the public session occurring on the second day, he added.

Pace said commissioners will tour the Southeast Missouri Regional Port at Scott City before holding a closed-door session Monday at the port authority office.

The commission currently has five members. One position is vacant, Pace said.

He added the commission deals “more with policy than the operational side” of the department.

Pace said he hopes additional funding can be found for state transportation projects.

“It is encouraging to hear President-elect (Donald) Trump address transportation,” he said, referring to the possibility of additional federal funding for infrastructure improvements nationwide.

City manager Scott Meyer said he welcomes the commission’s visit to Cape Girardeau.

He said it provides an opportunity for area officials to reach out to the commission on “a cordial basis.”

Meyer said city officials won’t be pushing any particular transportation project to the commission.

“There is not that signature type of project that we are asking for,” he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.