Missouri approves 12 road projects using stimulus money

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has approved the use of $72 million in federal stimulus money on a dozen highway projects.

The two biggest projects involve improvements of Interstate 70 in St. Louis and Interstate 55 in New Madrid (MAD'-rid) County in the Bootheel. Work will include repaving the highways, fixing a bridge and building a welcome center in Southeast Missouri. Each project is expected to cost more than $5 million.

Missouri now has 111 road projects funded through the stimulus money. The first was a bridge replacement in mid-Missouri that started just minutes after the stimulus bill was signed.