Assessment for critical need for funding

In the most compelling language we submit this assessment of a critical need for funding from the ARPA that seems now to be available. This funding would be for the mid-Missouri North South corridor along route U.S. 63. 

The project will complete a four-lane highway corridor from the Arkansas State Line at Thayer, MO north to the Iowa State Line north or Kirksville. This improvement would enhance the economic development value of the community along a wide portion of Mid-Missouri. Southern Missourians use this corridor for their transportation needs as they travel or ship to the major Saint Louis markets. The corridor connects Missourians with Interstate 70 for business, educational, and recreational needs.

Safety is a very important factor. It is perhaps the most important. Newspaper reports in Rolla, MO have labeled 63 Highway in the present condition as "the Most Dangerous Road in Missouri".

Another most significant factor is that advanced planning by South Central Ozarks Council Of Govenments has determined that the U.S. 63 four-lane project was the number one priority for the last several years. The only impediment to the completion of this project according to MODOT is the funding difficulties of the recent years. Now, with the addition of a fuel tax revenue and the addition of infrastructure funding from the federal coffers those impediments now seem to have been eliminated. 

That brings this project to the subject of the ARPA funds. Please use every influence you have available to secure funding from the Missouri Department of Transportation. These funds could be of great benefit for the environmental impact statements portion of this project. There appears to be some misunderstanding as to intent of the Federal legislation as to the use of funds for this.

 

Wendell Bailey