State transportation commission announces improvements slated for U.S. Highway 65 in Saline County

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract to resurface 17 miles of Route 65 in Saline County, according to a news release posted Thursday afternoon, Jan. 8.

The more than $6 million project awarded to APAC-Missouri, Inc. will resurface seven miles in the southbound lanes and 10 miles in the northbound lanes from south of Marshall to the Pettis County line.

The resurfacing will include the ramps at the Highway 65/Interstate 70 interchange.

The roadway improvements will include a diamond grind treatment on a three-mile concrete section of Highway 65 in the southbound lanes to improve smoothness.

Also, the bridge over the Blackwater River in the northbound lanes will be rehabilitated with a new deck.

A similar $7.6 million project for Highway 65 awarded to APAC in December will resurface 30 of the 33 miles from north of Carrollton to the beginning divided lanes at Marshall -- excluding a three-mile concrete section at the Missouri River bridge in Waverly.

This project includes a partnering agreement with the city of Marshall to provide turn lanes at Vest Street.

A third potential project would resurface 29 miles of Highway 65 from north of Carrollton to Chillicothe as well.

Bids will be submitted for this proposed project later this month and could be awarded by the commission in February.

Construction on the projects will take place this year. In addition to the resurfacing, safety upgrades include adding paved shoulders and rumble strips.

MoDOT's north central district has focused attention over the last two years on improving highways 36 and 63. The attention this year has turned to another major corridor, Highway 65.

The department is taking the same approach to this roadway by completing all of the resurfacing projects in the same year.

Doing several projects simultaneously condenses the time motorists are affected by the construction, and everyone can enjoy the smooth ride and added safety benefits that much sooner.

Another improvement to resurface 20 miles of Highway 65 in Grundy County is scheduled for 2010.

For more information, contact the MoDOT District 2 Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636).

The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or visit our website at http://www.modot.org/northcentral.