93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
(Missourinet) Local and state officials this week discussed the best way to fix up the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport.
The bridge either needs to be replaced, or it needs a big rehab that would cause major delays on I-70.
MoDot’s Patrick McKenna says the governor’s $350 million bond plan for bridges would not go toward a replacement, but it would make the state eligible for matching federal INFRA grants that could cover it.
“What we are doing is using the governor’s plan as kind of a Hail Mary,” McKenna said. “It makes us eligible to participate in this INFRA grant, and in a competitive way.”
The Missouri House budget does not include the Governor’s bond idea. It sets aside $100 million in general revenue for roads and bridges. McKenna says that’s not enough to make the state eligible for the federal grant.
