Jackson needs to act to keep U.S. 61 option open, city administrator says

The Jackson Board of Aldermen needs to approve a cost-sharing agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation at its July 5 meeting or possibly miss an opportunity to improve the route of U.S. 61 through uptown, city administrator Jim Roach told the board at its Monday night meeting.

A motion to approve the agreement has been added to the board's agenda for July 5.

Roach said the current traffic situation in uptown Jackson was the No. 1 traffic problem in the city and the No. 1 problem in the community. Although there is no total of how much the proposed project might cost, Roach said MoDOT's current offer to match funds with the city would not be offered again in the foreseeable future.

In other business, the city of Jackson completed its part of the recently announced industrial park deal with Nordenia USA by accepting contracts for administrative and engineering services related to upcoming projects and securing the location for the company's new facility.

The board also approved awarding a $1,527,327.71 contract to Fronabarger Concreters Inc. to construct phase three of the South Old Orchard Road Improvement Project.