IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION expressing the Legislature's vigorous support for the replacement of the Chouteau Bridge over the Missouri River.
Intro
RESOLUTION # 10980, October 9, 1995
INTRODUCED BY John Patrick Burnett, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the existing Chouteau Bridge is a narrow, unsafe, two- lane, 108 year old structure that is obsolete by current transportation standards, is posted with a 7-ton load limitation, and is expected to be closed to traffic in three years or less; and,
WHEREAS, the bridge is a vital link in the metropolitan area's transportation network, and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has proposed in its 15-year plan to build eight additional traffic lanes across the Missouri River at Paseo (I-35), but has now agreed that it is more advisable to build only four new lanes at Paseo and build the other four lanes at Chouteau; and,
WHEREAS, traffic studies have confirmed that a four-lane facility is needed at Chouteau to accommodate present and projected traffic demands and to relieve congestion on adjacent river crossings; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City has spent nearly $3.0 million completing the design of a new Chouteau Bridge which has an estimated construction cost of $34.0 million; and,
WHEREAS, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has submitted an application for "innovative financing" funding to the Federal Highway Administration, requesting $92 million for the Chouteau Bridge and two other major river crossings in Missouri; and,
WHEREAS, the innovative financing program is an initiative of the Clinton Administration in conjunction with the reinvention of government; and,
WHEREAS, the more local governments involved in an innovative financing venture, the better its chances for approval; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature strongly encourage the Federal Highway Administration to approve the "innovative funding" request made by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Legislature hereby expresses its interest to become a partner in the innovative financing venture by authorizing the expenditure of $500,000 over a five year period toward the construction of a new Chouteau Bridge; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Legislature strong encourage the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department build and assume maintenance responsibilities for the new bridge...Attorney
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution # 10980 of October 9, 1995 was duly passed on ______________________, 1995 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays ______________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
______________________ _____________________________________
Date Mary Jo Brogoto, Clerk of Legislature