As part of a $50 million transportation cost-share program under Gov. Mike Parson, the Missouri Departments of Transportation (MoDOT) and Economic Development (DED) recently selected 20 road and bridge projects to benefit the state.
These projects will include everything from urban roadway improvements to local community projects. MoDOT and DED could contribute up to 100 percent of construction contract costs, drawn from the 10 percent of funds set aside for economic development projects. MoDOT and DED worked with project sponsors to check out when these projects would generate economic development.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Missouri to turn infrastructure investments into workforce investments,” Parson said. “The number of applications shows that these partnerships are not only of great interest but of great benefit to Missourians. It also highlights that many unfunded transportation needs remain in our state.”
The money for this program came from the Missouri General Assembly, as a means to provide financial assistance to public and private applicants for public road and bridge projects. Parson’s transportation cost-share program matches up to 50 percent of the construction contract costs for selected projects.
These projects were selected by MoDOT’s Cost-Share Committee — a collection including MoDOT’s Chief Engineer, CFO, Assistant Chief Engineer, and two director-appointed employees — and DED staff. While 48 applications were submitted, MoDOT settled on 20 it said could deliver $131 million in projects upon approval by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The projects will be submitted for approval in January.