Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.5721 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, March 1, 2004

COLUMBIA, MO Senator Kit Bond today helped kick-off construction on the I-70/US 63 Interchange project in Columbia, where he stressed the importance of funding critical transportation projects in Missouri.

"I am pleased to see all our hard work for this critical project pay off," said Bond. "For the drivers in the area, the delays and hassles are not news, but today we are beginning to fix the problem. This project will increase capacity of the existing interchange, improve safety and facilitate local and regional traffic movement."

Bond, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, along with Representative Kenny Hulshof, secured $10 million for the project in the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Bond and Hulshof secured an additional $1 million for the project in this year's Omnibus funding bill.

Bond worked to appropriate planning and design dollars at the federal level when the Missouri Department of Transportation recommended in a Major Investment Study that a four-ramp interchange was the best strategy to address the traffic needs of the area.

The I-70/US 63 interchange is a vital regional crossroads in Mid-Missouri and has been the location of numerous injury and fatality accidents.

"Good roads cost money, bad roads cost more," said Bond at the kick-off, stressing that funding for transportation projects is critical, not only for economic growth, but also for safety.

In February, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the $318 billion federal highway bill Bond authored. The bill now awaits action in the House of Representatives. Bond continues to urge his colleagues in the House to act quickly to pass the bill, saying safer roads and tens of thousands of jobs are at stake for Missouri and the rest of the nation.

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.