Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, April 21, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC –– U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will send $216,000 in federal dollars to Missouri for the costs to replace the Route 61/67 Bridge over the Mattese Creek in St. Louis County.

"The new Route 61/67 bridge will provide not only traffic relief, but also stimulate economic development and provide safer travel for St. Louis County drivers," 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."

“I'm delighted to announce funding to replace the Route 61 & 67 Bridge over Mattese Creek,” said Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.). "This funding will help develop innovative state-of-the-art technology to help improve Missouri infrastructure. This investment will not only support the local transportation system, it will help stimulate economic growth, create jobs and assist in developing new technologies. I commend the Administration for their support."

The Route 61/67 Bridge 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 bridge replacement proposal.

The new bridge will be built in stages, allowing traffic to use the existing bridge while the new bridge is under construction. The funds will allow the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) to incorporate innovative materials and materials technologies in the bridge project, specifically the use of High Performance Concrete (HPC). The use of HPC should reduce initial cost and life-cycle cost of the bridge.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.