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As a main east-west corridor in Missouri’s Bootheel, U.S. Route 412 carries more than 6,000 vehicles a day. Currently, the existing four-lane upgrades end near Cardwell, Missouri, and U.S. 412 returns to a two-lane road.   

To plan for future capacity improvements, the Missouri Department of Transportation is launching an Environmental Study. This 20-mile section of U.S. 412 extends from Route AC near the Arkansas border to just east of Route Y near Kennett, Missouri. The exact project limits for the project will be set once the Environmental Study is complete.

The study will examine options for increasing capacity, as well as the impact of those options. This is the first step in the eventual upgrade of U.S. 412 from two lanes (one lane in each direction) to four lanes (two lanes in each direction). 

The Environmental Study will begin the process of collecting data and gathering public input. These are the first steps in identifying potential project challenges, assessing needs along the corridor, and gauging public sentiment regarding improvements to U.S. 412. Natural and cultural resources such as wetlands, threatened and endangered species, wildlife and habitat, water quality, farmlands, historic properties, and archaeological sites will be identified so that impacts from potential roadway improvements can be analyzed.

Throughout the project, opportunities will be available for the public to provide input and review the project findings.

The Dunklin County Commission contributed $500,000 toward the completion of the environmental work. Although funding has not been secured for future construction on this corridor, it has been designated as an unfunded transportation need by the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission.