By DOUG WILSON
Herald-Whig Senior Writer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Transportation officials approved a $5.8 billion five-year spending plan Wednesday, including a small line item for survey work on the Hannibal bypass.
Marisa Brown, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Transportation's Hannibal district, said the $25,000 for preliminary surveying is important because it starts the process that will eventually lead to construction.
"Obviously, the state has seen that this is a priority," Brown said.
She then warned that "nothing is certain" until MoDOT has the $40 million needed to build a bypass. Until then, Brown said the local office will set up a citizens advisory committee, keep the community informed on progress and complete preliminary survey work.
MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said the five-year plan has almost $4.4 billion for 730 highway and bridge projects, which will add about $900 million to the state's economy each year.
Rahn warned that future highway plans are in jeopardy due to a looming funding shortfall. State funds will decline as the last of Amendment 3 bonds are issued for projects. Federal money for roads will plunge next year unless something is done to shore up the federal highway fund, and construction costs are rising rapidly as fuel and materials become more expensive.
In addition to the Hannibal bypass, the five-year plan got late additions for replacement of a bridge on Mo. 168 just west of Palmyra and resurfacing of Route J from U.S. 36 to Route EE along the northeastern edge of Mark Twain Lake.
Two sections of U.S. 61, involving 13 miles in Clark County and 17 miles in Lewis County, will be resurfaced this year. Parts of U.S. 24 in several counties will be resurfaced in later years.
Brown said 79 bridges in Northeast Missouri also will be upgraded or replaced in coming years, thanks to the Save and Sound program that was announced previously.
The projects approved Wednesday include $300 million more than originally anticipated. Transportation officials say they were able to add projects because of improved financing conditions for their bonds.
The state Highways and Transportation Commission updates its five-year spending plan each year. The current plan runs from the 2009 fiscal year -- which began Tuesday -- through 2013.
-- dwilson@whig.com/221-3372
