Politics & Government

Funding for I-64 Bridge, Page Extension Phase 3 May Fall into Place

East-West Gateway board is schedule to vote on funding June 29.

Funding to replace the Daniel Boone Bridge on Interstate 64 and Highway 40 over the Missouri River likely will be approved for final funding next month, according to an East-West Gateway Council of Governments official.

“That project is in our Transportation Improvement Plan funding and MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) has included it in their Transportation Improvement Plan,” said Jim Wild, senior manager for planning and programming at East-West Gateway.

However, the funding still would have to be approved by the East-West Gateway Board of Directors, Wild said. The bridge funding will be on the board’s June 29 agenda.

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The new bridge would cost about $123.3 million, including $98.6 million in federal funds and $24.6 million in state funds. Construction is slated to start in fiscal 2013 — as soon as October 2012.

The project was approved for design-build by the Missouri General Assembly at the request of Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Distict 2, of .

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Design-build is a system in which one contractor designs and builds a project without delays for the bidding process. In fact, construction can begin before the design process is completed.

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann said the state legislature began looking favorably on using design-build after the Interstate 64 / Highway 40 project came in ahead of schedule and on budget.

 “That worked out so well, now the legislature seems much more willing to do design-build projects,” Ehlmann said. “It saves money and it saves time.”

A St. Charles County news release said MoDOT can build the project as it’s being designed, potentially saving millions of dollars.

Page Phase 3 funding

Wild said the East-West Gateway board also would vote on funds for the Highway 364 (Page extenstion) phase 3, which would extend the highway from Mothershead Road to Highway 40.

Regional funding for the project would add $25 million, assuming the East-West Gateway board gives its approval. St. Charles County will add another $25 million. The MoDOT cost-share program will contribute anther $20 million.

“The remaining $30 million is being provided by MoDOT for a total of $102 million,” Wild said.

He said if funds are approved, the project will proceed seamlessly. Phase 2, which is under construction, will extend Highway 364 from Jungs Station Road to Mothershead Road.

Andrew Gates, a MoDOT public information officer, said, “Once we have the funding approved, we need to see how far that gets us. It may take us all the way to Highway 40, or it may take us out to Highway K (if not fully funded).”

 


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