From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
The 2010 omnibus spending bill approved Sunday by the U.S. Senate includes $4.3 million for two infrastructure projects in Southwest Missouri.
The Senate allocated $2.75 million for work at Lamar Municipal Airport, and $1.55 million for a new interchange at Range Line Road and Interstate 44.
U.S. Sen. Kit Bond’s office noted the allocations on Monday.
Lynn Calton, city administrator in Lamar, said the federal funds will be used to complete a decade-long effort to expand the municipal airport.
Calton said the city hopes to expand its runway from 2,900 to 4,000 feet. He said the project is expected to aid local economic development efforts.
Companies now land their planes at Nevada if they need to do business in Lamar, he said.
“With 4,000 feet, we can land twin engine and some small jets,” Calton said.
“I think we’ve jumped through all the hoops now. Hopefully we can begin construction sometime next summer.”
The legislation also includes $1.55 million to help the Missouri Department of Transportation alleviate congestion and improve safety at the “functionally obsolete interchange” on I-44 that has substandard ramps and bridges, according to a statement issued by Bond.
Scott Bachman, district planning manager in Joplin with MoDOT, said, “Essentially, it was built in the 1960s for much lower volumes of traffic.”
The interchange was designed in anticipation of 12,000 vehicles on I-44, he said. “We’re right now at 42,000 vehicles on I-44,” he said.
Bachman said MoDOT officials will review a number of options for improving the interchange, and once a decision is made, a final project cost will be tallied. He estimated the total cost will be in the neighborhood of $9 million.
“With the uncertainty of future transportation dollars, every dollar that can be secured to help address a legitimate need is appreciated,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt helped secure funding for the latter project, according to Bond.
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Range Line interchange, Lamar runway receive funding from Senate bill
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