Missouri is first in putting stimulus money to work on transportation

Missouri became the birthplace of the nation’s interstate system by becoming the first state to award a contract under the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956, and once again the state made history by beginning construction on what is believed to be the nation’s first transportation project funded by the economic stimulus package.

Shortly after President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion federal economic recovery package in February, work began to replace a crumbling 76-year-old bridge on Route 17 over the Osage River about 30 miles southwest of Jefferson City.

Missouri will receive approximately $637 million for road and bridge projects and an estimated $150 million to address air, rail, transit, waterway and pedestrian projects throughout the state. By mid-March, the state had approved more than 140 stimulus projects for highways and bridges across Missouri.

Clarification

In the March/April issue of AAA Midwest Traveler, our Tips on Travel department contained information about the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal recently dropping admission fees. We have since learned that the free admission is only for residents of Hannibal; other visitors must pay regular admission. We regret if this caused any of our readers inconvenience.