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Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) posed for a photo next to the work zone safety sign in support of April being work zone safety month at its meeting April 13.

ST. JAMES­—The Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) received an update on the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Cost-Share program from Preston Kramer, Meramec area engineer with MoDOT, at its April 13 meeting at #4 Industrial Drive, St. James MO, 65559.

Kramer announced that Missouri was reinstating the cost-share program, which previously had been suspended due to lack of funding. The program works to build partnerships with local entities to pool efforts and resources to complete state highway and bridge projects. The cost-share program provides financial assistance to public and private applicants, satisfying a transportation need. MoDOT will participate up to 50 percent of the total project costs on the state highway system. Cost-share funds are based on the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission’s (MHTC) approved funding distribution formula.

TAC committee members and Kramer brainstormed several projects that had previously been suggested for the cost-share program, and might make good applications for this round of funding.

Projects should not expand the state highway system or increase maintenance costs for MoDOT and can not exceed a total cost of $10 million. Applications are prioritized based on transportation need, public benefit, economic development and applicant’s share of total project costs. For more information or to apply, visit www.modot.mo.gov/partnershipdevelopment/application.  Currently MoDOT is accepting applications for the first three fiscal years of the program.

In other business, the TAC:

• Heard an update from Kramer on ongoing and upcoming projects that will impact the Meramec Region. Due to warm winter weather, some projects have been completed ahead of schedule;
• Approved the 2017-2018 Transportation Planning Work Plan and recommend that the MRPC board approve as well;
• Heard a report about MoDOT’s Buckle Up – Phone Down initiative and traffic fatality numbers as of April 9. Some 12 people have lost their lives on roadways in the Meramec Region from January 2017, through April 9, 2017. Five of those were in Phelps County. There were five fatalities for the same time period in 2016;
• Received an update from MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge about road safety audits the TAC will be conducting on two areas – 1) intersection of Hwy. 68 and CR 1050 north of St. James and 2) the stretch of Hwy. 63 from the Rolla airport to Hwy. 28 near Vienna;
• Selected a nominating committee to replace or retain three current officers; and
• Learned that April is work zone safety month and TAC members had a photo in from of the work zone safety sign in MRPC’s yard.

Persons needing more information on MRPC’s Transportation Advisory Committee may contact MRPC at (573) 265-2993. The group will meet again at 4 p.m. April 13 at MRPC, 4 Industrial Dr., St. James. Meetings are open to the public.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 25, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.orgor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.