With the 2025 budget now approved by the General Assembly, it now goes to the governor's desk for approval. According to this article from the STL P-D, $861 million will be appropriated for widening three sections of I-44 around Joplin, Springfield and Rolla. Also, Tier 2 and 3 projects related to I-44 from the unfunded needs list will be funded as well.
Sections of I-44 to be widened.
Text of the funding bill: https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/hlrbillspdf/2004S.05F.pdf
Unfunded Needs List: https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/High-Priority%20Unfunded%20Needs%202023_0.pdf
Sections of I-44 to be widened.
- Missouri Route T (Exit 179) to MO 68 (Exit 195)-Rolla
- US160 to MO 125 (Exit 75 to Exit 88)-Springfield
- I-49 to MO 249 (Exit 11 to Exit 18)-Joplin
- Improve I-44/MO 13 interchange-Springfield
- Improve I-44/I-49 interchange-Joplin
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/with-democratic-help-missouri-republicans-send-spending-plan-to-parson-s-desk/article_707e7d7a-0f00-11ef-8f35-e3a9723770ef.html#tracking-source=home-top-storyThe budget for the Missouri Department of Transportation includes $861 million to upgrade parts of Interstate 44 to three lanes and $60 million to transform U.S. Route 67 to interstate standards from Poplar Bluff to the Arkansas state line.
The plan calls for $100 million in spending to improve low-volume, rural roads.
There also is $500,000 in the Department of Public Safety budget for the recruitment and retention of police officers in St. Louis, $4 million to offer trauma treatment for first responders and $750,000 for local police departments to get drug-sniffing dogs.
Also included is $2 million to help the city of Eminence replace a fire station that was damaged in a fire.
Great Rivers Greenway, which builds pedestrian and bicycling trails in the St. Louis region, is in line for $10 million.
Text of the funding bill: https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/hlrbillspdf/2004S.05F.pdf
Unfunded Needs List: https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/High-Priority%20Unfunded%20Needs%202023_0.pdf
