Missouri's Largest-Ever Road-Building Program
Includes Projects to Widen U.S. 65 to Four Lanes
Between Branson and Missouri/Arkansas State Line

MoDOT, District 8, Springfield -- The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, meeting in Springfield Friday, July 8, approved the largest highway construction program in Missouri's history -- totalling $7.3 billion. The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is MoDOT's five-year plan that identifies transportation projects planned for fiscal years 2006 through 2010 (July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2010). The STIP contains several highway projects in the Branson/Tri-Lakes area region including a plan to widen U.S. 65 to four-lanes between Branson and the Missouri/Arkansas state line.

Here's a look at the highlights of the plan:

* Widen U.S. 65 to four lanes and build outer roads between Hollister and the Missouri/Arkansas state line -- $36 million

* Widen U.S. 65 to four lanes and build new bridge over Lake Taneycomo between Branson and Hollister -- $10 million

* Resurface Route 160/13 between Springfield and the Finley River bridge south of Nixa -- $4.7 million

* Resurface Route 160 between Route 13 and Route 65 (Reeds Spring/Branson area) -- $342,000

In November 2004, Missouri voters approved Amendment 3 which will provide an additional $1.7 billion to MoDOT for much-needed highway improvement projects. The additional money has allowed planned projects to be accelerated and others to be added to the five-year plan. Many resurfacing projects are included in the STIP which will provide smoother pavement on some of the state's most heavily-traveled roads.

Currently, 47 percent of the state's major highways are in good or better condition. The additional funding will allow that percentage to increase to 75 percent by the end of the five-year plan. Seventy-one percent of the state highway bridges are currently in good or better condition, and by the end of the 2006-2010 transportation plan, 75 to 80 percent of the bridges will be in good or better condition.

"An important element of this transportation program's development is the extent of local involvement," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. "Local communities have had significant influence over how their transportation dollars are spent. Local officials statewide have been a part of deciding which projects will be built first. We appreciate the help in planning for Missouri's road and bridge improvements."

The five-year STIP is updated each year, and as one year of work is completed, a new fifth year is added. It is available for viewing on MoDOT's web site at www.modot.org .

(For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT. MoDOT's web site -- www.modot.org .)