Nearly $2 million in federal funding has come available for transportation enhancement in Southwest Missouri.
The projected federal funding available for projects in Missouri Department of Transportation District 7 is $1,931,454. Projects must be sponsored by city, county or state agencies in the 12 project categories and the Missouri application process for funds supporting transportation enhancements – sidewalks, biking trails, landscaping and other projects – will close Sept. 29.
Past projects the department has approved include: bike lanes, pedestrian walk paths, landscape projects and even a welcome center and a museum.
Most of the applications are sidewalks, pedestrian walkways and bike trails, said Scott Bachman, district planning manager for MoDOT southwest. Applications need to be well-developed, as there are typically more than 20 applications in the southwest district which covers an 11 county area: Barry, Barton, Bates, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, St. Clair and Vernon.
“The program needs to be one if it’s not shovel ready it can be shovel ready fairly quickly,” Bachman said.
MoDOT will disperse $32.8 million at the state level, twice the usual amount. Instead of appropriations funding at the federal level the money came as a continuing resolution, tying two grant cycles into one.
Applications are due to the MoDOT District 7 office in Joplin by 4 p.m. on Sept. 29. A November committee meeting will allow applicants a five minute presentation and awards will be made soon afterward.
The program issues reimbursements from the state and requires at least a 20 percent local match. Awards are capped at $300,000. These funds are set aside for enhancements instead of roads, giving communities a funding source for traditionally under funded projects.
“It’s a good opportunity given the state of transportation funding,” Bachman said. “And a good opportunity for counties to address some needs that aren’t road and bridge needs.”
There are 12 categories of eligible projects.
- Pedestrian and bicycle facilities – This category includes sidewalks, walkways or curb ramps; bike lane striping; wide paved shoulders; bike parking; off-road trails; and bike and pedestrian bridges or underpasses.
- Pedestrian and bicycle safety and educational activities – This category includes campaigns promoting safety awareness; safety training activities and classes; and training materials like maps and brochures.
- Acquisition of scenic or historic sites – This category includes acquisition of scenic lands or easements; and purchase of historic properties or buildings in historic districts, including historic battlefields.
- Scenic or historic highway programs – This category includes welcome centers, construction of turnouts and overlooks; and interpretive signs and markers.
- Landscaping and scenic beautification – This category includes benches, trash receptacles and bus shelters; lighting; public art and native wildflower landscaping along travel corridors.
- Historic preservation – This category includes preservation of buildings and facades in historic districts; interpretive displays; and restoration of historic buildings for transportation-related purposes.
- Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities – This category includes restoration of railroad depots and bus stations; and rehabilitation of rail trestles, tunnels, bridges and canals.
- Conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails – This category includes acquisition of railroad rights-of-way; planning, design and construction of multi-use trails and rail-with-trail projects.
- Inventory, control, and removal of outdoor advertising – This category aids communities in removing signs not conforming to the Highway Beautification Act of 1965.
- Archaeological planning and research – This category includes transportation-related research, preservation planning and interpretation in creating exhibits and guides.
- Environmental mitigation– This category includes runoff pollution studies; soil erosion controls; detention and sediment basins; river clean-ups; wildlife underpasses.
- Establishment of transportation museums – This category includes conversion of railroad stations or historic properties into museums with transportation themes.
For more information contact MoDOT’s District 7 Office by calling (800) 654-5428.
