MODOT SHIFTS FOCUS IN REGION TO ROAD REPAIR

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State transportation funding for Southeast Missouri projects over the next five years will be primarily allocated for repairing existing roads and replacing old bridges. Less than half the funding will go to expanding the area's road system.

The Missouri State Highways and Transportation Commission recently approved the Department of Transportation's latest rolling five-year spending plan, which calls for investments of $6.2 billion on various transportation modes. The bulk of that, nearly $4.8 billion, is set aside for highway and bridge improvements.

The commission earmarked $215 million to purchase right of way and for construction costs for MoDOT's District 10, which covers 14 Southeast Missouri counties.

The year-by-year breakdown over the life of the plan calls for $87.65 million for FY 2002, which began July 1; $70.21 million, FY 2003; $20.85 million, FY 2004; $16 million, FY 2005; and $20.3 million, FY 2006.

Spending declines in later years because MoDOT has to begin paying back highway bonds authorized by the Legislature in 2000.

Scott Meyer, the Sikeston-based district engineer, said the region's most urgent needs will be addressed under the plan.

"We aren't doing as much capacity expansion, but it is important to take care of what we have to make sure the roads are in better condition and last longer," Meyer said.

Spending in region

Of MoDOT's spending in the region, 47.5 percent -- $102.15 million will go to expand roads from two to four lanes and for other improvements to enhance traffic capacity.

However, all of that will be done during the first three years of the plan. The remainder will go for rehabilitating existing roads, safety enhancements and preventative maintenance.

Citing a lack of long-term funding to address all of the state's needs, MoDOT in recent years has started shifting a higher percentage of its road and bridge budget to preservation of the existing system.

During the first two years of the plan, 31 percent of funds spent on roads and bridges will go for preservation statewide. Over the last three years, preservation will account for 55 percent of spending.

State Rep. Peter Myers, R-Sikeston, said he is disappointed there isn't more money for system expansion but that overall Southeast Missouri fares well under the current plan.

"They have got to take care of what we have," he said. "I don't argue with that one bit."

One major project running through Myers' legislative district calls for replacing the northbound Diversion Channel bridge on Interstate 55. The $12.5 million project is to be bid by September. The new bridge will be designed to withstand a major earthquake and wide enough to handle both northbound and southbound traffic should the southbound bridge collapse.

Other bridge-related work in the plan includes completion of approaches to the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge on and near Highway 74. Contracts will be bid early next year.

The old Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau is scheduled for demolition in 2004 at a cost of about $5 million.

Another major system expansion in District 10 is the continuing of the four-laning of U.S. 60 from U.S. 67 to the Carter County line. The project will cost nearly $30 million and be bid in 2003.

Another area project, U.S. 412 from Kennett to Hayti, will also be expanded from two to four lanes, beginning this year with construction continuing through 2004.

AREA ROAD PROJECTS

Road and bridge projects in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties included in MoDOT's Improvement Program for fiscal years 2002 through 2006.

Bollinger County

* Highway 51: Grading, paving and bridge replacement 0.8 mile north of Stoddard County line and 0.8 miles south of Bollinger County line. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* Highway 51: Bridge replacement over drainage ditch 0.7 mile south of the Route P and Route C intersection. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* Highway 72: Widen and resurface with paved shoulders at the Madison County line to Highway 51. Construction starts: Future.

* Highway 72: Widen and resurface with paved shoulders at Highway 51 to the Cape Girardeau County line. Construction starts: Future.

Cape Girardeau County

* Route AB: Paving 3.5 miles to Highway 25. Construction starts: FY 2006.

* Highway 34: Replace bridge, grading and paving 0.1 miles east of Route U at Gravel Hill. Construction starts: Future.

* Highway 34: Replace bridge, grading and paving 2.5 miles west of the Highways 72 and 34 intersection. Construction starts: FY 2006.

* Highway 34: Replace two bridges, grading and paving 0.7 mile east of the Routes OO/UU intersection at Burfordville. Construction starts: Future.

* Highway 34: Widen and resurface existing route, widen bridge, replace bridge, signals, curb and storm sewer from 1 mile west of Highway 25 to the Highway 25 junction. Construction starts: FY 2004.

* Highway 34: Widen and resurface existing route, signals, curb, gutter and storm sewer 2.2 miles to 1 mile west of Highway 25. Construction starts: FY 2005.

* Highway 34: Widen and resurface existing route, widen bridge, curb, gutter and storm sewer to 1.5 miles east of Highway 34. Construction starts: Future.

* Highway 34: Location study from Highway 21 in Carter County to Highway 72 or I-55 in Cape Girardeau County. Construction starts: Future.

* I-55: Grading, paving, bridge, ramps, signs and lighting for the Main Street interchange at Jackson. Construction starts: FY 2006.

* Highway 74: Signal installation at Mount Auburn Road intersection. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* Highway 74: Construct deck on east approach to the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* Highway 74: Build approach to Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge from Sprigg Street. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* Highway 74: Remove old Mississippi River bridge. Destruction starts: FY 2004.

Perry County

* Route M: Grading, paving and replace bridge over Falls Branch 2 miles south of Route H. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* Route P: Grading, paving and replace bridge over Dry Fork Creek 1.7 miles west of Route C. Construction starts: FY 2004.

* Highway 51: Install signals at ramp intersection at the I-55 and Route 51 interchange. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* U.S. 61: Add center turn lane, replace existing shoulders, resurface and geometric improvements from Highway 51 to Huber Road. Construction starts: FY 2003.

Scott County

* Route A: Grading, paving and replace bridge over Caney Creek 0.1 mile north of New Hamburg. Construction starts: Future.

* Route H: Replace bridge over Blue Ditch 1.3 miles south of Highway 77. Construction starts: FY 2005.

* Route W: Replace bridges 0.8 mile west of Route CC and 1.5 miles east of Route CC between Painton and Oran. Construction starts: Future.

* I-55: Reconstruct interchange and widen diversion channel bridge at Route AB interchange. Construction starts: FY 2002.

* I-55: Add connection between east outer road and northbound on ramp to I-55 from Routes K and M at Scott City. Construction starts: Future.

* I-57: Widen and bridge over North Cut Ditch 0.5 mile east of I-55. Construction starts: FY 2006.

Source: MoDOT