State awards $2.4M for local transportation projects

Last edited 2:43 p.m., Dec. 18, 2019

The Missouri Transportation and Economic Development departments announced three local projects were selected for funding, at a combined $2.4 million, out of 20 approved statewide.

The largest local grant, at $1.5 million, is earmarked for Galloway Street improvements in Springfield. Two grants totaling $879,200 are headed to Christian County, according to a news release from Gov. Mike Parson’s office. Out of 48 applications requesting $92 million toward $321 million worth of projects, the committee for the state’s transportation cost-share program picked 20 applications to receive $50 million in funding. The winning initiatives are slated to deliver $131 million worth of projects.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Missouri to turn infrastructure investments into workforce investments,” Parson said in the release. “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.”

Jonathan Peitz, professional engineer for the city of Springfield, said the $1.5 million is earmarked for a voter-approved Galloway Street widening project. The $5 million initiative calls on Galloway widening between Luster and Lone Pine avenues; two roundabouts at the intersections with Luster and Lone Pine; a new path on the north side of the street to better connect Sequiota Park and the Ozarks Greenways trail; upgraded stormwater infrastructure; and improved railroad crossing, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Construction is expected to start in fall 2020 and wrap up a year later. City voters in April renewed the city’s quarter-cent capital improvement sales tax, which, in part, goes toward the Galloway Street project.

In Christian County, the city of Ozark was selected for $726,800 in funding and the Wasson Family LP was chosen for $152,400 to make improvements in Nixa, according to a separate news release from the Show Me Christian County economic development group.

The Ozark funding is for improvements to McCracken Road and North Third Street, a move designed to increase access to the Finely Farms at Ozark Mill development.

“This funding makes it safer for people to walk between the Finley River Park and what we are doing at the Ozark Mill at Finley Farms,” said Megan Stack, Johnny Morris’ daughter who’s leading the mill restoration project, in the release. “There is so much opportunity to continue to connect people to the natural beauty of the area and get more people hiking and walking.”

The Wasson Family LP, led by former state Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, will use the funding to add turn lanes on Route 160. The project would create better access for CoxHealth’s planned $10 million clinic in Nixa, according to the release.

The project are subject to Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approval in January, according to the governor's release.