Meramec Region Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

August 9, 2007 – 4:00 p.m.

Call to Order & Welcome:
District 5 Co-Chairman, Russell Scheulen, called the August 9, 2007 TAC meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.  The meeting was held in the large conference room at MRPC.

  1. Attendance
    Jerry Wolfe, James Kleffner, Max Aubuchon, J.D. Lester, Alan Trampe, Donald Dodd, Darrell Skiles, Robby Rakestraw, Larry Stratman, John Petersen, John Butz, Diane Crouch, Chris Heard, Jessica Vincent-Easler, Ed Worley, Rick Pilcher, Neil Swyers, Richard Huse, Russell Scheulen, Lynn Sharp, James Morgan, Linda Gast, Ray Cassidy, Richard Cavender, Teri Smith and Connie Willman

  2. Approval of June Minutes
    A motion was made by Jim Kleffner, seconded by Max Aubuchon, to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2007, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

  3. Statewide Major Priorities
    Bonnie Prigge distributed the MRPC statewide investment priorities and reported the results of the prioritization process from the June TAC meeting. The top projects under the highways and bridges category are: 4-lane Highway 63 from the Mari-Osa Delta to Arkansas (estimated cost of $460 to $211 million); and 4-lane Highway 50 from Jefferson City to Union (estimated at $374 million). Maintaining the aviation grant program to improve regional airports was the top multimodal priority (estimated at $5 million). Under programs/initiatives the top projects are: developing a statewide program for preserving lettered routes, dedicating 5 percent of the available funds; and developing a statewide program for adding paved shoulders to numbered routes, dedicating 10 percent of the funds. This would include 4-6 foot paved shoulders, overlay, striping and rumble strips.

    Ms. Prigge reported that Richard Cavender will give a presentation to MoDOT on September 5, 2007, in Jefferson City, outlining the Meramec Region statewide priorities. TAC Co-Chairmen Russell Scheulen and Gary Brown will also attend.
    Bonnie explained that at the statewide meeting, staff will present examples of which roads each county would choose to expand/repair first. After discussion, the committee produced the following lists:

Paved Shoulders on Number Roads:
Crawford County:  Highway 19, Highway 8
Dent County: Highway 32, Highway 19, Highway 68
Gasconade County: Highway 19, Highway 100, Highway 28
Maries County:  Highway 42, Highway 68, Highway 28, Highway 133
Phelps County:  Highway 68, Highway 8
Pulaski County: Highway 17, Highway 28, Highway 7, Highway 133
Osage County: Highway 89, Highway 100, Highway 133
Washington County:  Highway 8 

Preserving Secondary Lettered Routes:
Crawford County: M, H, ZZ, Old Highway 66, AA
Dent County: K, B, EE
Gasconade County: H, P, N, Y, A
Maries County: T, AA, Z
Phelps County:  CC, O, HH
Pulaski County: U, T
Osage County:  C, CC, HH, H, N, Y
Washington County: Yet to be identified

Richard Cavender said that asking to fund only the portion of Highway 63 in the Meramec region would significantly reduce the total cost of the project.

Alan Trampe of MoDOT asked that the districts work with the TAC to devise a schedule of work and suggested that the TAC focus on preventative maintenance, rather than repairing the worst roads. Repairing the worst roads will be more costly and road conditions may change significantly from initial evaluation to repair.

Richard Cavender reported that many communities are turning to public/private partnerships to raise funds for road maintenance. The TAC can assemble a package that is beneficial statewide. 

Bonnie Prigge attended a quarterly meeting with MoDOT District 5 representatives. Due to refinancing of bonds, MoDOT now has $75 million to $100 million available for funding. The criteria for project funding required that the project must be listed in the state investment priorities that are submitted. There must also be a local match of dollars. District 5 is discussing setting aside district money to provide the matching funds. Richard Cavender added that he attended a state association meeting, and the issue of extra funding was unclear and MoDOT was unsure if that funding was available. Staff will continue to monitor this and keep the committee apprised of any developments.

  1. Pulaski 17 Bridge Replacement Update:
    Robby Rakestraw of MoDOT District 9 presented a project plan schedule for next fall to replace the Pulaski Highway 17 bridge. He said that closing Highway 17 during the bridge replacement will save $1.2 million, but will add a 26-mile detour on Highway T for 8 months. This detour would affect approximately 10 percent of the traveling population. Another option would be to use the old route and old bridge as a bypass, but would take longer to build. The committee discussed the impact on schools, emergency responders, and the local communities.
    Chris Heard reported that the detour route, Highway T, is a ridge road and has safety concerns. The committee discussed improved Highway T to accommodate larger trailer traffic and improve safety. It was determined that Highway T improvements might negate the efforts of saving money.

Mayor James Morgan of Crocker added that the closing of Highway 17 would be detrimental to the City of Crocker.

After discussion, Chris Heard make a motion that MoDOT research the total cost savings and impact, so the committee can better decide. Jim Kleffner seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Ed Worley introduced Jessica Vincent-Easler, the new Crawford County TAC representative.

  1. District 5 and 9 Grants Report:
    Connie Willman reported on the grants funded since the June 14, 2007 meeting.

    Safe Routes to School:
    Crocker                       $  29,000
    Hermann                     $  72,360
    Sullivan                       $151,000
    Waynesville                 $  57,000

    District 5 Enhancement Grants:
    Hermann                     $155,000
    Linn                             $201,000

    District 9 Enhancement Grants:
    Crocker                       $120,000
    Rolla                            $100,000
    Potosi                          $  65,000
    Pulaski County            $250,000
    Waynesville                 $234,000
    St. Robert                    $146.000
    Cuba did not receive funding

  2. MoDOT Updates and Staff Reports:
    |Alan Trampe of MoDOT District 5 reported that two construction projects are underway: Highway 50 between Cole County and the middle of Gasconade County is being overlaid and rumble strips added; Highway 63 through Vichy is almost complete. The final inspection is August 15, 2007. On August 3, the bridge in Hermann opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony. A larger ceremony will be held October 26. The interchange at Highways 100 and 19 is complete and open to traffic. Route D in Osage County will reopen in two weeks as the bridge at Cooper Hill is nearly done. The Hermann river bridge is nearing completion and opened to traffic near the end of July. The opening ceremony will be October 26, 2007.
    Max Aubuchon said that MRPC should be invited to all ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies.

  3. Adjournment:
     Jerry Wolfe made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Max Aubuchon. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m.

 

_________________________________                       ______________________
District 5, Co-Chair, Russell Schuelen                            Date