The Missouri Department of Transportation held a virtual public hearing to discuss a proposed project to upgrade U.S. Route 67 in Butler County to four lanes in preparation for Future I-57. The virtual public hearing was held Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 from 4 to 6 p.m., with formal presentations beginning at 4 and 5 p.m. The same presentation was delivered at both 4 and 5 p.m. to provide attendees with multiple opportunities to join the discussion. Throughout the online hearing, there were opportunities for attendees to ask questions or share comments.
The proposed project includes upgrading Route 67 to interstate standards from the Route 160/158 interchange south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri to the Missouri/Arkansas state line. The entire project limits are broken down into five phases: Phases 1A and 1B, as well as Phases 2-4. (Click here to view an overview of the phases.)
Phases 1A, 1B and 2 are funded. Phase 1A received funding through Governor Mike Parson’s cost share program. Phases 1B and 2 were funded thanks to a cost share between MoDOT and the City of Poplar Bluff. This was made possible after Poplar Bluff voters approved a ballot measure led by the Highway 67 Corporation to help fund the expansion in August 2019.
The virtual public hearing focused on Phase 2, which includes upgrading a two-mile section of Route 67 to four lanes from County Road 338 to County Road 352, north of Neelyville, Missouri.
Funding is not yet secured for Phases 3 and 4; schedules will be determined as funding becomes available.
