Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Tuesday, April 22, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC –– U.S. Senators Kit Bond, Jim Talent and Representative Jo Ann Emerson today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have approved $250,000 in federal dollars for infrastructure improvements in Southeast Missouri.

"I am excited about these funds for Southeast Missouri. These dollars will make a real difference for the safety of families who travel the roads and bridges in Southeast Missouri, and also for the innovative research that will continue at University of Missouri-Rolla's Transportation Research Center," said Bond, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that reauthorizes all FHWA projects. "This year during reauthorization I will continue to fight for more money for Missouri's infrastructure. Investing in our roadways and bridges is more than an investment in concrete and steel, it is an investment in our economic future."

"Improving road conditions is vital to job creation and economic growth in Southeast Missouri," said Talent. "Not only will this federal funding strengthen our local infrastructure, it will improve the safety of our roads for Missourians and their families. I appreciate Senator Bond for his leadership on the subcommittee, and I will continue to work with him to bring additional transportation dollars to the state as we work to pass a pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda for Missouri in the Senate."

"I have long believed that a strong and sensible transportation infrastructure is critical to enhancing economic development and job creation in our communities," said Emerson. "The funding made available by this grant will not only strengthen our bridges, but future opportunities for the residents of southern Missouri. Just as exciting, the project builds on many of the scientific successes of the University of Missouri-Rolla's Transportation Research Center -- a real leader in composite materials research."

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) will receive funds from the Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program (IBRC), one of several discretionary funding categories administered by the FHWA, to help pay for the infrastructure improvements. The funds will be used to strengthen and rehabilitate structures in Morgan, Dallas, Crawford, Pulaski and Iron Counties which are currently rated as structurally deficient.

The funds will allow MODOT to incorporate innovative materials and materials technologies in rehabilitation projects, specifically the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite technology. FRP materials offer a more viable and economic alternative for bridge construction and rehabilitation. Also, the ease and speed of installing FRP material make the use of the technology even more desireable.

Along with rehabilitation of the infrastructure in Southeast Missouri, the work is also part of a research project, Validation of FRP Composite Technology Through Field Testing, with the University of Missouri-Rolla's University Transportation Research Center.