News Desk

JEFFERSON CITY — Cross-state travelers will avoid months of lengthy traffic delays as a result of the announcement made today by U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and Congressman Sam Graves that Missouri will receive an $81.2 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to build a new I-70 Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport.

“Since becoming Governor, improving Missouri’s infrastructure has been a major focus for our administration. The Rocheport bridge has long been in need of repair, and we’re thrilled that we now have the funds to complete this critical project and trigger our bold transportation plan,” Governor Mike Parson said. “Transportation drives our economy, and replacing the bridge is a major step toward maintaining our highway system and ensuring we have the framework for access and expansion in the future. We appreciate Senator Blunt, Secretary Chao, and President Trump’s continued support and commitment to infrastructure in Missouri.” 

The grant will enable a $240 million project to replace the existing four-lane I-70 bridge with a six-lane structure built just to the south of the current location, as well as reconstruct the Route BB interchange just east of the bridge. The existing bridge, which was built in 1960, will continue to be used during construction, meaning there will be very few impacts to traffic. The grant will also construct climbing lanes on I-70 at Mineola Hill in Montgomery County, which will improve safety and traffic flow through the Loutre River valley.

Receipt of the grant will also trigger $301 million in state bonding, authorized by the Missouri General Assembly during the 2019 session, that will repair or replace another 215 bridges across the state. The bonds will be repaid out of state general revenue over a seven-year period. It will also free up $301 million that was already committed to these bridge projects in the current Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to enable other high-priority transportation needs across the state. Projects will be identified in cooperation with local planning partners.

“I want to thank Governor Parson for his leadership and commitment to Missouri’s infrastructure needs,” MoDOT Director Patrick McKennasaid. “This could not have happened without his determination and unwavering support of infrastructure investment. Senator Blunt, Senator Hawley, Representative Graves, and other members of the Missouri Congressional delegation are to be commended for keeping the project top of mind in the nation’s capital. Thanks, too, to leaders in the City of Columbia, the City of Boonville, and Boone and Cooper counties for their commitment of $4.2 million in local funds that when leveraged with state and federal dollars will make a new bridge a reality.”

The grant will enable MoDOT to begin the environmental assessment and design for the new bridge, with construction likely to begin sometime in 2021.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, AUG. 2, 2019 – This summer, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is offering a series of free workshops on financing for drinking water and wastewater treatment system improvements. The last two scheduled workshops are set for Aug. 19 in Jefferson City, and Aug. 29 in Harrisonville.

 “If you don’t know how to secure funding for needed work on your community’s drinking water or wastewater infrastructure, these workshops will introduce you to people who can help,” said Hannah Humphrey, director of the department’s Financial Assistance Center. “Communities that use state and federal assistance programs for infrastructure projects save money, but they also get support from department experts. This could really help communities that face ongoing compliance challenges.”

The workshops are designed for community leaders who are seeking funding assistance for public water or wastewater treatment system projects. Workshop participants will hear speakers from the department’s Financial Assistance Center and Soil and Wastewater Conservation Program, Missouri Department of Economic Development and U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development program. Topics will include different aspects of subsidized financial assistance for treatment infrastructure projects, available resources for nonpoint source pollution controls and how to apply for energy efficiency loans. A representative from the St. Louis office of law firm Gilmore & Bell, P.C. will discuss bonds and other financing methods available to public entities. In addition, local community leaders will share insights from their own infrastructure improvement projects. An open house during each workshop will allow participants to discuss their community’s specific needs with agency staff.

“Any community leader interested in learning how to finance water treatment infrastructure projects is encouraged to attend a workshop, regardless of the community’s needs, location or population,” Humphrey said. “They are likely to discover a financial assistance program that meets their needs and they can connect with experts who can help them start a project and see it through successfully.” 

For information and to register for a free workshop, go to dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf/fac-marketing-workshops.htm.