MODOT announced last week a series of federal enhancement grants to make life easier for pedestrians.

The entire cost of the project will be approximately $600,000, 20 percent of which is matched by MoDOT.

The locations in St Joe slated to receive new sidewalks and other possible improvements include both sides of the road on Frederick Boulevard from Woodbine to the Belt Highway, as well as both sides of the North Belt Highway from Ashland to Northridge Drive and the west side of the Belt from Northridge Drive to County Line Road.

The Frederick Boulevard project will be filling in the gaps on both the north and south sides of the road to ensure pedestrians can traverse the entire route from Woodbine to the Belt. MoDOT staff is currently working with business owners in the area to work out the details with the right of way involved, as well as working on the design and plans for the project which is set to have a bid opening in May with construction complete by winter of 2013.

“Filling these sidewalk gaps to make this area much more accessible for pedestrians has been a goal for a long time, and we are pleased we have finally received funding to do so,” said Wes Moore, MoDOT project manager. “More people will able to safely walk to the many restaurants, shops and other attractions in the vicinity without having to drive.”

Other possible improvements in the area could include updating pedestrian crossings to improve safety and access. MoDOT will also work to improve the aesthetics of the area by including more grass, and making these areas cleaner and more attractive. The transportation enhancement program includes federal funds that cannot be used for roadway maintenance or construction.

The sidewalk project on the North Belt Highway from Ashland to County Line Road is a similar type of enhancement project, but this improvement won’t be awarded for construction until at least November 2013 with a spring 2014 construction date, and at an estimated cost of approximately $800,000.

Transportation Enhancements funding has also been awarded to other cities within the Northwest District. The cities are responsible to provide the minimum 20 percent match for the project costs. These projects vary in nature from sidewalk construction to downtown revitalization improvements. The projects recently awarded are:

*City of St. Joseph for two urban trail projects
*The City of Maryville for a sidewalk project along 4th Street
*The City of Cameron for sidewalks along Walnut Street, including a pedestrian walkway on the U.S. Hwy 36 overpass
*City of Rock Port for sidewalk improvements along Main Street
*City of Milan for downtown revitalization and sidewalk improvements