Public comment sought for proposed road projects

The Ozarks Transportation Organization is seeking public comments for several proposals related to local road projects.

The proposals call for:

• Additional federal funding for a traffic management center, jointly operated by the city and Missouri Department of Transportation;

• The addition of closed circuit TV monitoring on Interstate 44;

• The acceleration and widening of U.S. Highway 65 to six lanes, from James River Freeway to I-44;

• The addition of right-of-way acquisition for U.S. Highway 60 and Route NN/J interchange construction;

• Pavement improvements on state highways H, 266, AB and EE; and

• The addition of a scoping project to study improvements to improve capacity on U.S. Highway 160, from I-44 to Farm Road 123.

The public comment period ends Feb. 10. The organization is proposing to add the projects to the 2009-2012 Transportation Improvement Plan, which is a schedule of projects planned by various agencies. A project must be included in the plan to be eligible for federal funds.

The proposals are available for review at the organization's office, 117 Park Central Square, Ste. 107. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to sedwards@ozarkstransportation.org, by fax to (417) 862-6013, or by mail to 117 Park Central Square, Ste. 107, Springfield, MO 65806.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization Board of Directors will meet electronically to review and possibly approve the project Feb. 11.