State aims new funds at 57 road projects

State transportation commissioners on Friday approved the expenditure of $159 million on 57 road projects, including seven in Southeast Missouri -- the first beneficiaries of a funding plan approved by voters in November.

The project list marks the first phase of the transportation department's "smooth roads" initiative that eventually will spend about $400 million on repaving, striping and other road safety improvements during the next three years.

Money for the projects will come from bonds authorized under a constitutional amendment that directs existing motor vehicle sales tax revenue and other highway user fees to the department of transportation, instead of the state's general revenue. The measure passed with 79 percent of the statewide vote in the Nov. 2 election.

The initial projects include something for most parts of the state, but nothing in the department's Springfield or south-central Missouri districts. The reason is that department road inspectors haven't finished their work in those areas, said department spokesman Jeff Briggs.

The state Highways and Transportation Commission is to approve a second round of projects, which will include something for those areas as well as the rest of the state, at its Jan. 14 meeting, Briggs said.

Expenditures approved Friday include:

$44.3 million for Southeast Missouri projects, including $29.2 million to repave sections of Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry and Scott counties; $8.3 million for resurfacing work on U.S. 67 in St. Francois County and $6.8 million to repave Interstate 57 in Mississippi and Scott counties.

$31.9 million for the St. Louis area, including $7.6 million to repave Missouri 30 in Jefferson County; $7.2 million for Interstate 270 in St. Louis County; $5.6 million for Interstate 64 in St. Louis city and county; and $4.9 million to repave U.S. 67 in Jefferson County.

$28.9 million for the Kansas City area, including $8.3 million to repave U.S. 50 in Johnson County; $7.4 million for Interstate 35 in Clay County; $4.8 million for Interstate 70 in Jackson County; and $4.6 million for U.S. 71 in Cass County.

$26.7 million for southwest Missouri, including $16 million for parts of U.S. 71 in Barton, Bates, Jasper and Vernon counties; $8 million for Interstate 44 in Lawrence County; and $4.9 million for Business U.S. 71 in the Joplin area.

$15.2 million for central Missouri, including $10 million to repave U.S. 63 between Columbia and Jefferson City; $3.7 million for Interstate 70 in Cooper County; and $1.6 million for U.S. 54 in Osage Beach.

$6.9 million for northwest Missouri, including $3.3 million to repave U.S. 36 and $1.1 million for U.S. 169, both in St. Joseph.

$5.2 million for north-central Missouri, including $4.1 million to repave parts of U.S. 63 and its business loop in Macon, Moberly and Kirksville; and $1 million for U.S. 65 in Chillicothe.

Scott Meyer, MoDOT district engineer in Sikeston, said the there are numerous sections of Interstate 55 that will be repaved, extending from the Arkansas line north to the Jefferson County line.

Meyer said he expects several of the paving projects in his district will be done in 2005.

Staff writer Mark Bliss contributed to this report.