The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Carthage, Jasper County

Discussion

October 27, 2009

Counties lose federal funds for bridge construction work

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Jasper County and other counties in the state will lose federal funds that for years helped finance bridge construction projects.

A change in the Federal Transportation Act will mean nearly $171,000 less for bridge construction projects each year in Jasper County, Jim Honey, Eastern District associate commissioner, said during the general session of the Jasper County Commission on Tuesday.

“That normally paid for a bridge, so it’s a loss,” said Honey, who oversees road and bridge projects for the county. “It’s affecting all 114 counties, so that’s a lot of dollars.”

The action will cut funding by $181,000 in Newton County and by $65,000 in McDonald County, according to Lori Marble, of the Joplin office of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

County officials had lobbied lawmakers to save the program, but the money was lost when Congress failed to repeal a recision built into the last federal transportation act. Statewide, that cost $17.4 million in funds for bridge work in all counties and the city of St. Louis.

Honey said the county has saved enough money from previous allocations for at least one more bridge project over the next two years. The county gets road and bridge money from other sources, including a transportation sales tax.

In other business:

n The commissioners voted to accept into the county road system Hickory Drive, a new road east of Fairview Avenue off County Road 118.

n The commissioners heard a presentation from officials of Allgeier, Martin & Associates Inc. The Joplin firm has been the design engineer for the county for the past six years and is seeking to continue that relationship.

n Honey said a pre-construction conference was held Thursday with officials of Branco Enterprises, utility companies and others affected by more than $1 million in county bridge and culvert projects that are to start by the end of the year.

n Honey said he is wrapping up paperwork on a state grant to be used to continue a project to upgrade electrical wiring in the courthouse. The state funds, allocated to help preserve historically significant public buildings, will pay $70,000 toward a project totaling $100,000.



Volunteers sought

Jasper County is seeking three residents to fill vacancies on the Jasper County Sheltered Facilities Board, which oversees the expenditure of county tax funds to benefit developmentally disabled residents. Residents who are interested may contact the commission at 625-4350 or 358-0412.

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