MoDOT, District 8, Springfield -- Significant transportation projects will be built in southwest Missouri with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act approved recently by Congress and signed into law by the president.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, in a special meeting in Springfield, approved a $788-million projects list developed by the Missouri Department of Transportation in cooperation with the department's planning partners in local communities.

ARRA-Funded Projects in Springfield/MoDOT 12-county region include:

* Six-laning Route 65 between Route 60 and I-44 in Springfield -- $34.4 million (project total cost estimate).

* Building a new Route 76 bridge over Lake Taneycomo between Branson and Hollister -- $11 million.

* Building alternating passing lanes on Route 60 between Republic and Monett -- $8.8 million.

* Three-laning a one-mile stretch of Route 65 north of Route 32 in Buffalo -- $1.2 million.

* Five-laning Route 5 through the north side of Lebanon -- $4.3 million.

* Resurfacing and shoulder improvements on Greene/Polk County Route H between Springfield and Halfway -- $3.2 million.

* Resurfacing sections of various state highways in Taney, Stone, Webster and Greene counties -- $2.2 million.

* Making sidewalk improvements along Route 76 between Roark Valley Road and Gretna Road in Branson to meet requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act -- $1 million.

Other ARRA-Funded Projects

* Other projects in southwest Missouri -- to be built by MoDOT's Joplin (District 7) and Willow Springs (District 9) offices -- can be found on www.modot.org .

Key Points of ARRA Allocation

1. Of the $788 million in ARRA transportation funds allocated to Missouri, MoDOT is responsible for administering $525 million for transportation system improvements.

2. Another $263 million will be distributed through other agencies and programs, including $7.3 million for roadway improvements as determined by the Ozark Transportation Organization, a transportation planning group that sets project priorities for the Springfield metro area.

3. The $788 million total for transportation in Missouri is about 1 percent of the ARRA's appropriation of $787 billion. Nationwide, $48 billion of the $787 billion is designated for transportation.

4. The goal of this infusion of federal money is to provide jobs. Estimates show that putting money toward upgrading the state's transportation infrastructure will directly and indirectly support about 22,000 jobs and help jump-start the economy.

5. While an infusion of $788 million for transportation is significant, it provides only 1.67 percent of the money needed to achieve the $31.3 billion worth of transportation improvement needs Missourians have identified.

Developing ARRA Project List

6. MoDOT built the project list for the ARRA funds by reviewing priorities established by planning organizations in each part of the state and seeking additional information from MoDOT's planning partners.

7. MoDOT had to follow strict allocation rules contained in the new economic recovery act, including obligating at least 50 percent of the money by June 30 and 100 percent by March 2010. Other considerations required include being able to complete a project within three years.