MACON - Engineers with MoDOT's North Central District announced plans to move forward with the Alternate Route 63 project using the Green South Alignment Option offered during the public meeting earlier this month. The option will be recommended to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for approval on Nov. 7.

"We have made this decision after spending a significant amount of time and effort analyzing the options for the south tie-in and reviewing all of the comments generated from the public meetings," said District Engineer Dan Niec.  "The Green Alignment will work best with the Alternate Route today and into the future."

The Green Alignment:

• Uses nearly $8 Million fewer tax dollars than the original alignment.
• Savings can be used for other transportation needs in north-central Missouri.
• Maximizes use of existing facilities (four lane improvements from Eagle Lane to Millard).
• Best promotes equal distribution of traffic between Baltimore Street and Alternate Route 63.
• Best provides connectivity between the City and the airport.
• Minimizes environmental impacts.
  

Of the 454 individuals who attended the Sept. 4 public meeting or visited the virtual meeting on-line, 92% either supported the Green Alignment Option or offered no opinion on the south tie-in issue.

If the Commission approves the design location for the project, design work and right of way purchases will proceed immediately. The project is expected to be under construction in 2010.

For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-275-6636.