MACON - Another milestone has been reached on the US 36 corridor project to construct 52-miles of four-lane highway between Macon and Hannibal.  The project has now reached the 75% completion mark; virtually guaranteeing motorists will be driving on four-lanes of highway across the entire state of Missouri once the final section is opened next summer.

A significant impact for motorists happened earlier this month when the Route 151 intersection in Shelby County opened to traffic. Additionally, motorists are anticipating another major occurrence as the entire section between Shelbina and Monroe City is expected to open in November.

MoDOT representatives met with a group of citizens on September 11 to discuss the progress of the project and other related topics.  At the meetings conclusion the group agreed to formally invite the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to hold one of its summer 2010 meetings in the area. Several citizens also volunteered to form a team to help plan a celebration for the completion of the project.

MoDOT continues to thanks taxpayers in Marion, Monroe, Shelby and Macon Counties who passed a one-half cent, 15-year sales tax in 2006 to fund half of the entire project's cost. Without their support we would not be gaining this important upgrade to the US 36 corridor.

For information on the project visit http://www.modot.org/northeast/projects/route36expansion.htm or call 1-888-275-6636.

Latest Project Updates:

Shelbina to Monroe City:

• Weather permitting paving operations will begin from Monroe City and continue to the west. Contractor will be hauling excess soil off of project site, trimming soil, laying base road and paving concrete in Shelby County, weather and site conditions permitting.
• This section is scheduled for completion July 2010. 

Macon to Shelbina:

• Traffic pattern has switched at Clarence.
• The contractor is continuing to install drainage structures at various locations throughout the project. 
• Construction is nearing completion on two bridges - Route 36 over the Middle Fork of Salt River and Route 36 over Crooked Creek.
• Route 151 bridge over Route 36 has reopened.
• Construction has begun on Route 36 over Route FF near South Shelby High School.
• Earthwork operations continue to move forward. 
• The construction of the Route 151interchange is progressing.
• This section scheduled to be open to traffic July 2010.