FIRMS SELECTED TO CONDUCT I-66 FEASIBILITY STUDY

Two companies have been named to conduct a feasibility study for Interstate 66, a transcontinental highway which would stretch 3,000 miles from Virginia to California.

Howard Needles Tammen & Bergendoff Inc. of Kansas City, and Wilbur Smith Associates of Columbia, S.C. will head up the $1 million study, which will get under way in the near future, said Joseph W. Guyton, deputy project director for the study.

The announcement was made at a late afternoon press conference and evening RCGA banquet, where Guyton was a keynote speaker. The fourth annual banquet drew 300 people to Drury Lodge.

At the press conference, Walt Wildman, executive director of the RCGA, said, "This is a big day for I-66 and RCGA. We've been working on this concept the past few years." Wildman also serves as associate director of the I-66 project.

Also appearing at the news conference, via live satellite from Washington D.C., was Rep. Bill Emerson.

"The two firms selected for the feasibility study are premier highway consulting firms," said Emerson. "We don't just go out and build roads. They are built when studies determine where the roads should go."

Emerson added, "The study is just one step in a long process which involves state and federal involvement. If the feasibility study is positive, a means of funding will be found."

Also speaking at the news conference was Walter Vandelicht, assistant chief engineer with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department in Jefferson City.

"We're pleased that the consultants have been selected to conduct this study," said Vandelicht. "If we get positive results, we'll start looking at some type of funding."

Missouri's share of the million dollar study will be $40,000, said Vandelicht.

"The study was authorized by Congress," said Vandelicht. "It involves Missouri and 10 other states through which the corridor will run. Eighty percent of the $1 million cost is being paid by the Federal Highway Administration."

Guyton told the banquet gathering that as many as 30 to 40 people could be active at any one time in conducting the corridor study.

"We're talking about a 3,000-mile long, 300-mile wide corridor," he said.

The proposed route will cross portions of Missouri, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Guyton said the study offers a challenge to look into all aspects of surface transportation.

"This is more than just an interstate study," said Guyton. "It is a surface transportation study, and the idea was originated from this area.

"I'm excited about it, and we're in the process of getting started, hopefully within a month," he said.

The study will explore funding, engineering, environmental and social issues, and the economic impact of such a highway, he said.

"We'll be looking at existing routes and possible new locations in each of the 11 states involved," said Guyton.

He said the study would examine various options in building the new highway between Interstate 70 to the north and Interstate 40 to the south.

"The first thing we'll be looking at are technology assessments," he said. "We'll be looking at what technology can be applied over the next 25 to 30 years, while studying a wide range of alternative transportation modes such as high-speed rail."

Guyton, who will serve as an assistant project manager for the survey, said the consulting firms would be working with steering committees from each of the 11 states.

"We've already talked with representatives in all states involved," he said. "We hope to get started in the near future, and we're looking at 15-months for completion."

Guyton said the final report would be sent to the Federal Highway Administration, then forwarded to Congress.

Three awards were presented during the RCGA banquet Thursday. Wetterau Inc. of Scott City received the John T. Crowe award; Dr. Kala Stroup, president of Southeast Missouri State University, received the "Regional Spirit" award; and Rhodes Oil Co. was recipient of the "Industrial Appreciation" award.