Press "Enter" to skip to content

PRESS RELEASE: Funding for first step on West Florissant Avenue Great Streets project receives approval from Gov. Nixon

Contact:           Scott Holste, (573) 751-0290

                        Scott.Holste@mo.gov

                                Channing Ansley, (573) 751-0290

                        Channing.Ansley@mo.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 29, 2014

Funding for first step on West Florissant Avenue Great Streets project receives approval from Gov. Nixon

Governor approves $2.5 million amendment to East-West Gateway Council’s  Transportation Improvement Program for project in Ferguson and Dellwood 


JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon has taken action that will support $2.5 million for the West Florissant Avenue Great Streets project, a transportation improvement project within the cities of Ferguson and Dellwood that includes portions of the avenue from I-270 to Buzz Westfall Plaza.

The Governor approved an amendment that added the West Florissant project to the FY2015-2018 St. Louis Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. The East-West Gateway board of directors gave its approval to the amendment in November, and then requested that the State Transportation Improvement Program be adjusted so the project could be implemented. The Governor’s approval authorizes the project to proceed.

With approval of the amendment, $2 million in federal funding and a $500,000 local match can be available for preliminary engineering on the project. The West Florissant corridor is a major residential and commercial thoroughfare that services a major Metrolink bus line, and the TIP project would include making the avenue more pedestrian- and bicyclist-friendly.

“I commend the East-West Gateway Council for moving forward on this project to better meet the needs of North County residents,” Gov. Nixon said. “We will continue to work in a variety of substantial ways to improve the quality of life of Missourians in the region.”

“This effort is just one of many initiatives being undertaken by committed public and private partners to create a stronger, more united and prosperous region,” said Maida Coleman, Director of Missouri’s Office of Community Engagement. “I’m glad the State of Missouri is able to facilitate this worthy project and I look forward to helping it succeed.”

The West Florissant Avenue Great Streets project is part of the St. Louis Great Streets Initiative, launched in 2006 by East-West Gateway to expand the way communities think of their streets. Rather than viewing a roadway project as solely a way to move more cars and trucks faster, the goal of the St. Louis Great Streets Initiative is to trigger economic and social benefits by centering communities around interesting, lively and attractive streets that serve all modes of transportation.  

###

  Follow the Governor on Twitter @GovJayNixon