Highway 67 project to be completed one year early, MoDOT says

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Motorists will be driving on a safer, four-lane U.S. 67 one year earlier than expected.

"Highway 67 will be done by the end of 2011," was the good news the Missouri Department of Transportation's second highest official announced at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday at the Black River Coliseum.

The $180-million project, which is adding two lanes on a 50-mile stretch between Poplar Bluff and Fredericktown, will be completed "a year sooner than we thought we could just 18 months ago," according to MoDOT's Chief Engineer Kevin Keith, who viewed the construction progress along the 67 corridor while traveling to Poplar Bluff.

"We are ahead of schedule and on budget," Keith said.

When ground was broken for the project three years ago, MoDOT promised to have the work done by the end of 2012.

This project includes bypasses at Greenville and Cherokee Pass, an interchange and realignment at Highway 34 and elimination of curves in two other areas (Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Wayne County and at Route N in Madison County).

Chamber members, city officials and Highway 67 Corporation members applauded when they heard the earlier completion date.

The Highway 67 Corporation board led the effort to secure voter approval of a half-cent sales tax in Poplar Bluff to pay for $60 million of the project over 30 years.

Keith also announced construction on the four-laning of U.S. 67, south to U.S. 160, will begin in 2012.

"It has been funded, and it will be built," Keith said.

This 4.5-mile project from the end of Bypass 67 to one mile south of U.S. 160 is estimated at $28 million.

It includes an interchange at highways 67, 158 and 160. The interchange has been redesigned and another open house for public comments will be scheduled in January or February, according to MoDOT Planning Manager Bill Robison for the District 10 MoDOT office in Sikeston.

"Construction south of Poplar Bluff is expected to take 18-24 months," Robison said.

It is not known when the final 10-mile stretch of Highway 67 in Missouri will be four-laned.