U.S. 71/I-49 projects to be dedicated Dec. 19

New U.S. 71 interchanges in Vernon, Bates and Barton counties will be dedicated in a series of ribbon cuttings Monday, Dec. 19, the Missouri Department of Transportation said in a news release.

The projects completed this year are another step toward upgrading U.S. 71 to become Interstate 49 by the end of 2012, the release said.

Five interchanges, two overpasses and several outer roads were built in 2011 for a total cost of $21.3 million.

Two more interchanges, two more overpasses and one more outer road are scheduled for construction in 2012. The work in 2012 will complete the U.S. 71 upgrade between Kansas City and Pineville near the Missouri-Arkansas state line.

Also in 2012, a corridor-long project is scheduled to install I-49-related signs.

MoDOT is working with the Federal Highway Administration for final approval of the I-49 designation by December 2012, the release said.

Local and state officials will join MoDOT staff for three dedication ceremonies Dec. 19:

* 10 a.m. at Bates County Route AA/E north of Adrian (along U.S. 71 west outer road south of interchange).

Work completed in Bates County in 2011:

* New interchange and outer road. Cost: $3.8 million. Prime contractor: APAC-Missouri, Columbia.

* Noon at Vernon County Route E near Milo south of Nevada (along U.S. 71 east outer road north of interchange).

Work completed in Vernon County in 2011 includes:

* New interchange at Route DD. Cost: $3.9 million. Prime contractor: Kolb Grading, St. Charles.

* New interchange at Route E. Cost: $3.8 million. Prime contractor: Kolb Grading, St. Charles.

* New interchange at Route M. Cost: $3.2 million. Prime contractor: Kolb Grading, St. Charles.

* New interchange at Route D. Cost: $3.1 million. Prime contractor: Kolb Grading, St. Charles.

* New overpass at County Road 290. Cost: $1.7 million. Kolb Grading, St. Charles.

* 2 p.m. at 30th Road Overpass near Lamar and Lamar Heights. Work completed in Barton County in 2011:

* New 30th Road overpass and outer road. Cost: $1.6 million. Prime contractor: Emery Sapp & Sons, Columbia.

* Outer road improvement at Route 126. Cost: $259,000. Prime contractor: Amino Bros Inc., Kansas City, Kan.

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