County Projects Highlighted In Transportation Priorities

The expansion of Highways 50 and 63 into four-lane corridors remains the top regional transportation priority, as confirmed by the Meramec Region’s Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) during its December meeting. However, several Crawford County projects also ranked high in the committee’s updated list of transportation needs.

Among the high-priority projects, TAC identified the need for a left-turn lane on Highway 19 at Lindburg Road and safety improvements to the bridge over Cherry Valley Branch on Highway 19. Additionally, the committee highlighted safety concerns at the intersection of Glassy Road and Heyer Road on Highway 19 and the need to convert the Highway FF overpass at Interstate 44 into an interchange.

These projects are part of a broader set of infrastructure improvements identified through a ranking process conducted by TAC members, who evaluated 33 projects across the region. Each member assessed the projects based on their urgency and importance, categorizing them as high, medium, or low priority.

The highest-priority projects for the entire Meramec Region include expanding Highway 50 to four lanes from west of Linn to the Gasconade/Franklin County line and four-laning Highway 63 from Highway 50 in Osage County to the Phelps/Texas County line. 

These two projects have consistently topped the regional priority list in recent years.

In addition to the high-priority projects in Crawford County, TAC’s medium-priority list includes further safety enhancements to Route 19 bridges and intersections. The committee also identified a need to improve access and safety at key locations throughout the region, including intersections, flood-prone areas, and heavily traveled corridors.

The priority list serves as a key planning tool for MoDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), a five-year rolling plan that guides the development of design and construction projects across Missouri. 

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) has approved the latest list and will present it to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Central District for consideration in future funding allocations.

The annual evaluation process ensures that regional transportation needs remain up to date and helps advocate for necessary improvements that enhance road safety and infrastructure. The TAC and the newly formed Multimodal TAC also addressed high-priority unfunded projects at their February meeting, underscoring the ongoing demand for transportation enhancements across the region.