JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today praised the approval of a $10 million competitive federal grant that will help replace the 87-year-old Champ Clark Bridge, which carries U.S. Hwy. 54 across the Mississippi River at Louisiana, Mo., and is one of only three river crossings north of St. Louis. The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), which was announced today, will assist with the $60 million project.
“We fought hard for this project, and this competitive federal grant is a big win for the region and our entire state,” said Gov. Nixon. “This bridge plays a critical role not only in transportation but also in economic development, agriculture and tourism. Replacing this 87-year-old bridge will also improve safety and create good jobs for Missourians, so I’m pleased that we made a compelling case to win this competitive federal grant.”
Earlier this year, Gov. Nixon also sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in support of the Champ Clark Bridge project. Routine flooding of the Mississippi River and increasingly significant maintenance requirements have resulted in frequent closures, which divert traffic as many as 183 miles. This has had a detrimental impact on residents, businesses and communities.
The bridge replacement project is a joint effort between MoDOT and the Illinois Department of Transportation and is expected to take two years to complete.
