By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A state grant will help the city of St. Joseph complete a project to improve Pickett Road and the area formerly known as the Ag Expo Center.
$2.8 million will be part of a 50-5o governors cost share program to help with the project.
City Manager Bryan Carter says the reason the grant was sought is to help provide a new way into town.
"Almost more importantly it adds an alternative to Riverside Road," Carter tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "MoDOT will be taking down the Riverside Road bridge and replacing it in the next few years, so we need to have a good quality backup as a way to get to 36."
Carter says that will be incredibly important for businesses in the East Towne Business Park like Altec.
Carter says currently the city is only in the design phase for the project
"So, we're probably looking at something that will happen through the construction season next year," Carter says. "We're working through all the admin work now, getting the contracts done, getting everything set up, design will get underway, and then construction will begin."
Carter says the improvements will also be vital for the expansion of the industrial park in that area.
"Part of our industrial expansion for future employers or employers locally who want to grow will be in that area and we need to have good quality access to them," Carter explains.