[Press Release] : Federal omnibus appropriations bill includes more than $1.6 million for city transportation projects

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Paula Hertwig Hopkins, Assistant City Manager - (573)
874-7214

Federal omnibus appropriations bill includes more than $1.6 million for
city transportation projects 

COLUMBIA, MO (March 16, 2009) - City officials learned last week that
the federal FY 2009 omnibus appropriations includes $1,662,500 for two
transportation projects in Columbia - the construction of the COLT
railroad overpass on Highway 63 and the East Columbia Transportation
Extension to I-70. Senator Kit Bond had targeted $950,000 for the COLT
overpass. Former Congressman Kenny Hulshof had targeted an additional
$475,000 for the COLT project and $237,500 for the East Columbia
Transportation Extension to I-70 project, which includes extension of
Stadium Boulevard to Lake of the Woods. All three budget items were
included in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which was signed by
President Obama last week. 

Mayor Darwin Hindman said that Bond and Hulshof were instrumental in
obtaining funds for these projects. “Long before there was a stimulus
bill in the works, Senator Bond and former Congressman Hulshof were
working to secure funding in the Omnibus bill,” said Hindman. I want
to publicly thank them for all they have done to help move along these
important projects.”

According to City Manager Bill Watkins, the funding for the COLT
overpass has come at a particularly important time. The COLT project has
been the top priority on the city and Boone County’s joint federal
projects list for several years. “The current rail crossing has become
increasingly hazardous as both rail and highway traffic have increased
in that area. Thanks to the support of Senator Bond and former
Congressman Hulshof, we can get a jumpstart on this potentially
life-saving project,” said Watkins. Total cost of the COLT railroad
overpass is estimated at $9 million. 

According to Watkins, maintaining the 21-mile COLT railroad spur is
important to Columbia’s economy. “There is a misconception that the
COLT only delivers coal to the city’s power plant, but it also serves
industrial businesses along Route B and stops at a ‘transload’
warehouse facility that stores equipment and supplies for a variety of
Columbia businesses,” said Watkins. 

The extension of Stadium Boulevard (Missouri Highway 740) from Highway
63 to I-70 at Lake of the Woods has been identified as an important
project since 1991. According to Watkins, the extension of Stadium will
improve traffic, public safety and access. 

“As the corridor between Columbia and Jefferson City continues to
grow, an alternate route around the I-70 and Highway 63 connector is
needed to relieve traffic congestion and improve access to our medical
facilities, the University of Missouri and our downtown,” said
Watkins. 

Total cost of the Stadium/740 extension is estimated at $40 million.
The East Columbia Transportation Extension Project also includes
improvement projects to Ballenger Lane and Highway WW. 

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