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ROLLA – The Phelps County Commission and city of Rolla are constructing a more direct, continuous road connection between the Hy-Point Industrial Park and U.S. 63 that will reduce traffic through the Northwye community and increase economic development along Interstate 44. With the grading and rock base complete on the new road section, the county is waiting for better weather to finish the asphalt, fencing, signage and guardrail.

Large volumes of traffic including commercial truck traffic currently use Phelps County Road 2020 to access the Hy-Point Industrial Park from U.S. 63 – the same road that runs through the residential neighborhood of Northwye with approximately 112 families living in the area. Residents of Northwye petitioned the Phelps County Commission to address the safety concerns on County Road 2020 in January 2013. With the help of a Missouri Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Phelps County is connecting the gap in Phelps County Road 2000 to I-44 North Outer Road, which will alleviate traffic through the Northwye neighborhood. The project will also open new area for development.

“Our hope is that with the improved access and I-44 exposure, the area will become prime property for commercial development,” Phelps County Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp said. “We are already getting reports of interest in the area, which is most encouraging.”

The estimated total cost of the project is $605,800, with $437,300 coming from CDBG. Phelps County Commission is committing $141,000 of in-kind labor and equipment towards the construction, and the city of Rolla is providing engineering design work from City Engineer Darin Pryor and construction inspection services valued at $27,500. Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) prepared the CDBG grant and serves as grant administrator to the project. Grading was completed by Bloomsdale Excavating Co.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) plans to utilize the new route as an Incident Bypass Route between the exit for U.S. 63 and the exit for State Route V off of Interstate 44.

Completion of the project is expected by the end of May.

For more information on grant writing, please contact MRPC.

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.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

Cutline: Grading and rock base have been completed on the new extension of the Phelps County Road 2000, which connects to I-44 North Outer Road. County crews wait for better weather to complete the asphalting.