The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to build three bridges on Highway 137 in Texas County under a five-year plan of construction and bridge work released June 7.
The draft fiscal year 2024-2028 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) was presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The draft five-year program funding from general revenue — passed by the Missouri General Assembly — to widen and improve I-70, fix low-volume minor roads, upgrade railroad safety crossings and more. A 30-day public review and comment period began June 7.
In Texas County, about $13.7 million in projects are included in the five-year plan. In addition to the bridges, road resurfacing work is planned.
The STIP makes available $14 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $14 billion, the draft STIP details $10.5 billion in road and bridge construction contractor awards, averaging approximately $2.1 billion per year. It also includes a record $3.4 billion in state general revenue funded projects from the Missouri General Assembly subject to governor approval of the final budget.
“Over the past two years, the cost of doing transportation improvements has experienced record inflation ranging from 20-30%. Aside from the new funding from the (Missouri) General Assembly, this year’s program didn’t add a significant number of projects to the last two years as we manage the fiscal constraints of the funding,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “We are able to continue our asset management efforts while also making critical improvements and upgrades to corridors and safety features across the state.”
The draft fiscal year 2024-2028 STIP lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2024-2028 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2028).
HOW TO MAKE COMMENTS
The proposed program is available for public review. Those interested in seeing the program or offering comments can contact MoDOT by email to STIPcomments@modot.mo.gov, by calling customer service at 888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636), or by mail to Transportation Planning, Program Comments, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102. The program is also available on MoDOT’s website: https://www.modot.org/DRAFTSTIP. The formal comment period ends July 6.
Following the public review period, the comments will be presented to the commission, which will review them and the final transportation program before considering it for approval at its July 12 meeting.
Here are local projects included in MoDOT’s proposed 2024-2028 highway and bridge construction schedule:
•Highway 137 pavement resurfacing from Highway 17 to U.S. Business 60. The construction outlay is $2.82 million in 2026-2027.
•Highway 137 bridge replacement over Pine Creek. About $2.06 million in construction is slated for 2024-2025.
•Highway 137 bridge replacement over Big Creek. Work is estimated for 2024-2025 and is estimated at about $1.65 million.
•Highway 137 bridge replacement over South Prong Jacks Fork. Work is to be completed in 2024-2025 and is estimated at about $2.51 million.
•Highway B pavement resurfacing from U.S. 63 to end of state maintenance. Slated for 2026-2027. Cost: About $2.8 million.
•Highway K pavement resurfacing from Highway KK to Highway 17. Engineering would occur over the next five years. Project estimate for 2028 is $680,000.
•Highway VV pavement resurfacing from Highway 137 to end of state pavement in Dent County. Set for competition in 2025-2026. Cost is about $1.2 million.