Missouri Governor ? Michael L. Parson

Office of Communications

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces BUILD Grants for Major Infrastructure Projects in Milan and Springfield?

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) ??The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced 55 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant awards in 35 states, including nearly $13.5 million for the East Locust Creek Reservoir project in Milan, Missouri, and nearly $21 million for the Grant Avenue Parkway project in Springfield, Missouri.?

Fiscal Year 2019 BUILD grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and have been awarded on a competitive basis to projects with a significant impact in their local or regional communities. BUILD funding supports roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, or intermodal transportation.??

?Transportation drives our economy, and these grants will only continue the progress we?ve made this year to build up Missouri?s infrastructure,? Governor Mike Parson said. ?We appreciate the continued support and hard work of President Trump, Secretary Chao, Senator Blunt, Senator Hawley, and the entire congressional delegation to deliver critical infrastructure funding for important projects like these in our state.??

In Milan, the grant will complete a variety of road projects including relocating Highway N to below the East Locust Creek Reservoir dam, extending Highway VV to Knob Hill Road, and making 4,000 feet of safety improvements to intersections and turning lanes on Highway 5. The grant will also be applied to widening and reinforcing gravel roads, many of them currently one lane, around the lake to accommodate the significant increase in traffic in the area.

In Springfield, the funding will be used to reconstruct approximately 3.3 miles of a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian path on Grant Avenue starting in Downtown Springfield and ending at Sunshine Street. The project will include bike lanes, a roundabout, two raised intersections, three protected intersections, a grade-separated crossing at Fassnight Creek, bridge enhancement, utility upgrades, fiber connectivity, additional crossing and signal timing improvements, outdoor incubator, and creek daylighting.

A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Roy Blunt sent letters to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao urging funding for both projects earlier this year and has helped secure resources for BUILD Grants in the FY2019 government funding bill.?

?The investments we make in our infrastructure directly benefit jobs and the economy. Both of these projects will improve the quality of life for families and boost economic development in the surrounding communities. I've been proud to back the BUILD Grant program, which has supported several transportation projects in our state,? Senator Blunt said. ?Governor Parson has been a great partner as we've worked together to secure and direct federal resources toward the areas where they'll have the most impact. I look forward to continuing our efforts to modernize our transportation networks and other critical infrastructure.?

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