Clark County will see nearly $14 million in transportation improvements over the next five years under Missouri’s newly approved Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for fiscal years 2026-2030. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the $13.3 billion plan last week, marking one of the largest in state history.
The plan includes two major pavement improvement projects along U.S. Route 61, alongside a bridge upgrade:
Route 61 Pavement Improvements (2026-2027)
A $6.6 million pavement improvement project will cover southbound lanes from the Fox River to 1.2 miles north of Route B in Lewis County near Canton, as well as sections from the Iowa state line to Route 27. The project, scheduled for 2026, will include seven disconnected sections, funded with approximately $5.1 million in federal dollars and $1.3 million in state funds.
Route 61 Pavement Improvements (2028-2029)
A separate $7.6 million project, planned for 2028, will improve pavement from the Iowa state line to 0.5 mile north of Route B in Lewis County near LaGrange, covering both southbound and northbound lanes on Route 27 from the state line to the Route 61 interchange. Funding will include nearly $6 million from federal sources and $1.5 million in state funds.
U.S. Route 136 Bridge Improvement (2027)
In addition, a $1.8 million bridge improvement is scheduled on U.S. Route 136 over a drainage ditch about three miles west of Route 61 near Alexandria. Construction is slated for 2027, with $1.3 million in federal funding and $321,000 from the state.
These projects are part of Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) five-year plan to invest $9.5 billion in contractor-awarded road and bridge construction statewide, made possible by increased motor fuel taxes, General Revenue allocations, and federal transportation investments.
MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger said the program reflects “unprecedented levels of investments” in Missouri’s transportation system, aiming to improve safety, infrastructure life, and economic connectivity.
The final STIP, which details improvements to the state’s 33,814 miles of highway and over 10,000 bridges and culverts, can be viewed online through MoDOT’s website.
