Officials expect to put the phase 1A of Highway 67 south improvements out for bid in December, with a second portion put out for bid in December 2022.
The information was discussed Thursday during a special city council meeting.
Council members approved a revised cost share agreement between the city and Missouri Department of Transportation to fund two miles of four-lane expansion.
“With this agreement now approved, MoDOT will be able to begin negotiations with property owners to start the process of acquiring Right Of Way for the construction,” said city manager Matt Winters. “We also expect that in the next few weeks public meetings will be conducted to present the design of the four lanes.”
The estimated $15.7-million in work on phases 1A and 1B will take place between Highway 160 and Butler County Road 338.
The work will be completed in two stages, according to city council documents.
Construction on phase 1A is expected to be complete in the fall of 2023.
Phase 1B has an expected completion date of fall 2024.
The city expects to spend about $2.6 million on property acquisition for the two projects. Construction is estimated to cost $10.7 million. Another approximately $2.4 million will be spent on engineering and other expenses.
Expenses will be split between the city (50%), Missouri Department of Transportation’s Southeast District (13%), and MoDOT (37%). The city’s portion of the cost is paid for through a sales tax.
The city and state are continuing to work on funding methods for the remaining eight miles of the project between Poplar Bluff and the Arkansas state line.
Improvements will be made to interstate standards, with plans to make Highway 67 south part of Interstate 57.