MoDOT To Improve 800 Bridges by 2012
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), September 10, 2006 - Most of Missouri's worst bridges will be repaired or replaced by 2012 under a new initiative planned by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Plan targets 800 bridges in poor condition for improvement by 2012. To get such a huge number of bridges fixed in a short amount of time, MoDOT will seek to award a single contract to design and build the bridge upgrades as well as maintain the bridges in good condition for at least 25 years.
"I commend Director Pete Rahn and MoDOT for this innovative, forward-thinking proposal to fix some of our state's worst bridges," said Gov. Matt Blunt. "Ensuring Missourians and visitors to our state have safe passageways is one of our most important responsibilities and I am pleased with my administration's accomplishments to help MoDOT improve road and bridge safety."
"This is an extremely innovative program we're attempting -- I don't know of any other transportation department in the nation tackling their bridges so aggressively -- and I'm excited to see how the contracting industry will respond," said Rahn. "There are more than 10,000 bridges on Missouri's state highway system, and too many of them need work. Rather than improve just a handful every year while the rest continue to wear down, we need to do something dramatic to get them in good shape quickly.
"MoDOT is evaluating the state's bridge system to identify the 800 bridges that most need to be improved," Rahn said. "Bidders will have until 2012 to get these bridges in good condition, then keep them that way for at least 25 years.
"The winning proposal will offer the best value to Missouri taxpayers. The idea is to allow the bidders flexibility to encourage innovative approaches and affordable financing.
"By the end of this year we'll have all of Missouri's busiest highways in good condition through the Smooth Roads Initiative," Rahn added. "Now it's time to start on our worst bridges."
A list of bridges to be improved is expected to be complete late this year, with bids submitted and a winner approved by the summer of 2007.
The Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Plan is expected to cost between $400 million and $600 million. MoDOT will dedicate existing federal bridge replacement funds to finance the program.
NeighborWorks(R) America and Safeco Insurance Launch Five-City Community Building Initiative
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), September 10, 2006 - NeighborWorks(R) America and Safeco have announced a new community building initiative aimed at improving neighborhoods and living conditions for thousands of families. The five-city Safeco Community Build Program in partnership with NeighborWorks America will strengthen neighborhoods from the ground up by bringing together volunteers to repair and revitalize homes.
Financed by a $500,000 grant to NeighborWorks America from Safeco, six local NeighborWorks network members will organize volunteers to complete more than 20 community beautification, rehabilitation, housing and homeowner education projects in their communities.
The six NeighborWorks organizations participating in the Safeco Community Build Program are: Beyond Housing (St. Louis, Mo.); Central Area Development Association (Seattle, WA); IMPACT Group (Duluth, GA); NeighborWorks Waco (Texas); Reynoldstown Revitalization Corp. (Atlanta, GA); and Westside Housing Organization (Kansas City, MO).
Safeco will call upon company employees and independent insurance agents to work side-by-side with residents and NeighborWorks network member staff. In all, about 1,000 Safeco employees and community residents nationwide will donate 8,000 volunteer hours to lend a hand to elderly, disabled or low-income residents who are unable to keep their homes in safe condition on their own. Volunteers will repair roofs, repaint homes, build access ramps, and tackle other hands-on projects.
"The Safeco Insurance Community Build Program is an excellent opportunity for NeighborWorks network members to assist households that need a helping hand," said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. "Together we can improve the living conditions for thousands of families and create stronger, safer communities."
"We're partnering with NeighborWorks America because their network organizations understand the communities they serve and know where we can make the greatest positive impact," said Paul Hollie, assistant vice president, Safeco Community Relations. "By involving our employees and agent partners, we look forward to working side-by-side with residents to build safer more vibrant neighborhoods."
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