HANNIBAL - MoDOT and its contractor will open a five-mile section of the new four- lane highway on Route 36 later this week from near the railroad overpass to just past the Route Z interchange in Monroe City.  The rest of the new four lane, between the Route 36/24 interchange at the Rocket and the railroad bridge, is expected to open within the next few weeks.

This will complete the ten and a half mile four-lane section from Hannibal to Monroe City.

The next 42 miles, between Monroe City and Macon, are progressing, although wet weather throughout the summer has hampered much of the work.  "A lot of the dirt work is done, and we have most of the culverts installed," said MoDOT Resident Engineer Martin Lincoln.  MoDOT's Northeast and North Central Districts are working together to finish the final two sections of the new four-lane highway, which is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2009.

The entire 52-mile four-lane project was funded as a partnership between MoDOT and residents in Macon, Shelby, Monroe and Marion Counties through a one-half cent sales tax.  "The support we have received in northeast Missouri is overwhelming, and we are excited to open up this section," said MoDOT Assistant District Engineer David Silvester.