Chamber officials, business leaders plan to write letters in support of Highway 47 widening plan | Local News

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has set the undertaking in its draft Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program (STIP), a document that outlines the state’s likely upcoming freeway projects, with the challenge tentatively slated to commence design in 2026 with virtually an $86 million cost tag. Nonetheless, the strategy could change. The section is asking residents and community organizations to supply their enter on the strategy and enable the condition know what projects the general public supports. 

County officials hope place inhabitants will convey to MoDOT they want Freeway 47 widened.

“The a lot more we worry the value of this individual portion, (of the state’s over-all transportation strategy) the bigger the odds of earning certain it’s secured,” Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker reported at the Washington Space Highway Transportation Committee assembly on Tuesday.

Other county officers urged citizens to acquire component as well.

“I think it’s going to be great for all the people today of Franklin County,” reported District 2 County Commissioner Dave Hinson. “Pretty substantially everyone in the county travels via that corridor.”

He observed that there have been significant accidents from crashes and bottlenecks are common together that extend.

“I believe sooner or later what they’ll do is talk about opening 47 from the Missouri River all the way up to Warrenton,” he added, explaining that it would be wonderful for trucks and other industrial targeted traffic.

Hinson claimed the 3 customers of the county commission are functioning on a joint statement to submit to MoDOT through the comment time period showing assistance for the challenge.

Widening Highway 47 would gain many institutions all through the place, in accordance to nearby leaders. 

The Washington Area Chamber of Commerce ideas to draft a letter to ship to MoDOT as perfectly, explained Chamber President and CEO Jennifer Giesike.

“We are undoubtedly at the rear of the widening of 47,” Giesike mentioned. “It’s something that demands to come about for absolutely everyone who drives alongside there.”

Further more south in St. Clair, men and women are also in favor.

“We’re thoroughly on board,” stated Charlene Saling, government director of the St. Clair Chamber of Commerce. “I truly think that it would include to economic advancement options for our group.”

She claimed her chamber ideas to write a letter to MoDOT on behalf of its users and it encourages member businesses to do the similar.

Even so, she stated several in St. Clair have been skeptical about widening Highway 47 and irrespective of whether it would really contribute to St. Clair and not just enable people today attempting to travel by means of St. Clair to Washington. She thinks what these people don’t know is that “traffic travels the two approaches.”

She famous that St. Clair is in the system of revitalizing its downtown and that the chamber is seeking to stimulate much more advancement, which could bring in additional individuals on a recently-widened Freeway 47.

Dr. Jon Bauer, president of East Central University, said the school, which is located in Union close to Freeway 47, would benefit from the project much too.

“The school supports the task since it will enrich the helpful and productive advancement of the area,” he reported by means of email. “When entire, the job also will improve driver security and Highway 47 obtain to and from the Union campus.”

Marketplace leaders are also excited about the potential clients of a wider Highway 47.

“Great infrastructure can help business enterprise improve,” said Phillip James, director of Washington functions for WEG Transformers United states of america. “Anytime we can enhance the infrastructure coming into our small business group, it’s a great factor.”

James stated he is in help of any updates to possibly Highways 47 or 100.

Tim Poepsel, CEO of Empac Team, said that his sheltered workshop company has vehicles driving along Highway 47 amongst its vegetation in Washington and Sullivan and warehouses in St. Clair.

“It will undoubtedly pace up time of delivery from our warehouses to our plants,” he explained. “And it’s just the simplicity of having men and women as a result of and the annoyance of driving in the traffic.”

Each James and Poepsel claimed their firms would mail letters to MoDOT in assistance of the project.