Meetings on conceptual study of U.S. Route 54 set for Tuesday in Laddonia, Wednesday in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — The public is invited to attend public information meetings on an update of a conceptual study of U.S. Route 54 corridor improvements between Mexico and Louisiana.

The study began last summer after being added to Missouri’s statewide transportation improvement plan. The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Bartlett and West as the lead consultant, along with the sub-consultants Klingner and Associates and Hg Consult, Inc.

Two public informational meetings are currently scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Community R-VI School cafeteria, Laddonia
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Bowling Green High School auditorium

These will be open house style meetings with no formal presentation. Individuals are welcome to stop by anytime during the meeting to visit with representatives from MoDOT and its consultants about the study. Several displays showcasing the corridor study will be available. All information shown at the public meeting will be available online beginning Oct. 17 at U.S. Route 54 Environmental Impact Study in Ralls, Pike, and Audrain | Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org).

The 55-mile segment of U.S. 54 in Ralls, Audrain and Pike counties has been evaluated, and locations for passing lanes and/or shared four-lane improvements have been identified. Although these segments can be constructed individually, the project is not currently funded; therefore, a timeline for implementation has not been determined.

Segments identified for improvement opportunities will involve no direct impact to the existing roundabouts at Basinger and Scott’s Corners or municipalities as all segments identified are not within city limits. Expanding the bypass around Mexico to four lanes is included in the study but is not a high priority.