MoDOT heard the message from Missourians: Minor roads need improvement. With 85% of the area's most traveled, major roads in good condition, MoDOT faces the challenge of keeping those roads good and improving minor roads, while funding continues to dwindle. The first minor roads project kicked off on State Rte. 23 near Concordia on Monday, May 10. This project launched more than 350 miles of minor road improvements this construction season.
Looking at a variety of innovative solutions, MoDOT has made the first steps to improve more than 300 miles of minor roads in the eight counties that comprise District 4: Cass, Clay, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray.
"Although funding is tight, we have taken an innovative approach to address many of the roadways throughout the rural areas. Thanks to cost saving efforts across the state, we are able to allocate the savings to these minor roads and provide needed improvements. When we speak to residents, we consistently hear minor roads need attention. We have a plan to start doing that," said Beth Wright, MoDOT District Engineer.
According to Wright, there are almost 1,700 miles of minor roads in this district and more than 20,000 miles across the state. Last year Wright visited with Lafayette County residents about transportation needs at a public meeting in Higginsville. "One of the biggest areas of concern at our voice in transportation meeting was the condition of minor roads. We listened, and now we are working to improve these roads."
However, with uncertain future for federal funds and decreasing state revenues, Wright acknowledged it will be a challenge to continue to take care of the Missouri transportation system.
On May 10, MoDOT mobilized to start resurfacing Rte. 23, Rte. 20 and Rte. 213 in Lafayette County, totaling 24.66 miles of needed improvements. This $788,570 project, awarded to Dustrol Inc., is just a portion of more than $15 million identified to use toward minor roads in the rural areas of the Kansas City district.
Crews began work on northbound Rte. 23 just north of Concordia to the intersection of Rte. 20. The resurfacing will continue along the northbound lane of Rte. 20 to Business 13 in Higginsville, finishing all northbound lanes with Rte. 213 between Rte. 20 and 24. Crews will then begin resurfacing the southbound lanes, finishing in Concordia on Rte. 23. While the highway will remain open, motorists using these routes should expect delays during construction. MoDOT will have a pilot vehicle and flaggers working to help minimize traffic delays. All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.
