Missouri's stimulus transportation project wish list hits $1 billion

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s wish list for projects to be funded by the stimulus bill just got larger, with a total price tag of nearly $1 billion.

And while the transportation officials do not expect to receive that amount, the officials say they are ready to grab any unspent funds from other states.

“If they truly have a use-it or lose-it provision…if you don’t have the project under contract at a certain date, they’ll redistribute it,” MoDOT Director Pete Rahn told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I want Missouri to be in a position to get other people’s money. I won’t even be shy about it. I want their money.”

Projects on the list include $661.4 million in highway and bridge projects, $104 million in transit projects and $32 million in congestion reduction projects. Additionally, there’s a $3 million project to extend Katy Trail and $1 million for improving sidewalks on Lindbergh Boulevard, from I-270 to St. Charles Rock Road.

“When the legislation is passed, MoDOT will need to modify the direction and determine the specific projects that can be built based on the estimates provided here and on Missouri’s allocation,” the project list notes.