Senate earmarks $11M for southwest Missouri

Before being signed into law, the bill next must be passed by the full Senate and reconciled with the House of Representatives version.

The bill includes federal funding for eight southwest Missouri projects:

• $2.5 million for upgrades to the interchange of Route 266 and Interstate-44 and the relocation of Route 266 to serve Springfield-Branson National Airport’s new midfield terminal;

• $2 million for City Utilities to construct a parking garage with a passenger waiting area and bus-loading areas for the Springfield public transit system;

• $1 million for Missouri State University to improve and expand the William H. Darr Agricultural Center;

• $1.5 million for the reconstruction of Highway 65 from Route EE to Route 32 in Dallas County;

• $1.5 million for improvements to the interchange of Highway 60 and National Avenue;

• $1 million for Camp Barnabas in Barry County for the construction of handicap-accessible cabins for children with special needs;

• $1 million for improvements to the interchange at I-44 and Kansas Expressway; and

• $500,000 for Joplin’s downtown redevelopment plan.