JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- The Whitten Expressway, which carries Highways 50 and 63 through downtown Jefferson City, is a heavily-traveled corridor and in serious need of an upgrade.

Long-term, MODOT's plans call for an extension and realignment of Clark Avenue, roundabouts at the Clark interchange, and construction of an overpass at Madison Street. But the most pressing need ramains a full diamond interchange where the expressway crosses Lafayette. Roger Schwartze, MODOT District Engineer said, "Certainly, locally, that is the highest-priority need for the local city and county. Both certainly support that..."

Lafayette represents the primary point of access to the new federal courthouse and old penitentiary redevelopment site, as well as Lincoln Univesity and Jefferson City High School. A church and several businesses will need to be relocated.

There have been attempts in the state legislature to pencil the project into the capital improvements budget, only to see it get dumped again for lack of money and policial will. MODOT is counting on federal highway money to get the ball rolling.

Schwartze said, "There's a small amount of money that we can actually start some design work and we'll look at some hardship right-of-way purchases at that Lafayette Street area."

The final environmental impact document is available online at modot.org/central and at the modot district office on Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City.