93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Missouri’s governor has called on the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to redesign Jefferson City’s aging tri-level. It was the scene of the August 15 tractor trailer crash and fuel spill that closed busy southbound Highway 54 for five hours, tying up traffic for thousands of commuters and truckers. MoDOT central district engineer Michelle Watkins joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri,” telling listeners that the tri-level has been identified by MoDOT as a transportation need for some time. Ms. Watkins says it would cost about $40-million to redesign and replace the aging tri-level, but she says it would need to be done in conjunction with improvements on the Rex Whitton Expressway. That would cost an additional $53-million. Ms. Watkins tells listeners MoDOT currently doesn’t have the funding for either project:
A cattle truck overturned on August 15, 2023 on Jefferson City's tri-level, closing southbound Highway 54 for five hours (August 15, 2023 file photo courtesy of 939 the Eagle listener Marc Ellinger)
