Houston’s major thoroughfare would gain significant improvements under a proposal outlined Monday by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Pete Berry, project designer, presented the news to the Houston City Council that signals more lanes on U.S. 63 and no bypass for the community. The city hailed the announcement as good news for the town.
“We’re really happy with the outcome,” said Larry Sutton, administrator, said following the presentation. MoDOT conducted a comprehensive traffic analysis of busy U.S. 63, which cuts through Houston’s main highway commerce district.
Berry said the Missouri Highway Commission will discuss at its July meeting making improvements totaling about $1.8 to $2 million to the highway.
The work includes:
•Mostly three lanes from Sonic Drive-In south.
•Three lanes from Grand Avenue to Highway B.
•Five lanes from Sonic Drive-In north to Grand Avenue.
Speed limits also will be addressed.
Under the timetable, bids would be sought next year, and work completed in 2015.
In other matters, members:
—Approved sending $4,089 in first quarter utility debt to collection. Council will review the progress in May.
—Discussed amending zoning ordinances related to portable buildings, awning permits and other setback requirements. No action was taken.
—Met in closed session to discuss personal. No votes were taken.
—Administered oaths to members who were re-elected in balloting earlier this month.
—Learned that the city has asked MoDOT to approve Archer-Elgin of Rolla for preliminary engineering work on an Oak Hill Drive sidewalk project.