A project to help Highway 54 has received federal funding, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, who represents Missouri’s 6th congressional district, announced last week.

Graves announced in a news release that the Highway 54 Shared Four-Lane Project has received a nearly $25 million BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) Grant. Graves serves as the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 

The $24.892 million grant will widen an approximately 14-mile segment of U.S. Route 54 from a two-lane roadway to a shared four-lane configuration (alternating passing lane) between Farber and Curryville, a July 15 news release from Graves’ office states. The project also includes improvements at the intersection of U.S. Route 54 and Missouri 154 and utility relocations.

Audrain County Presiding Commissioner Alan Winders said in an email to the Ledger that local officials are “very excited and grateful for this grant,” as the “project represents a real safety and capacity improvement for a section of Highway 54. The section which will be improved is in the eastern portion of Audrain and the western portion of Pike County.”

He added that in order to keep costs and land needs at a minimum, this is a shared four-lane road as opposed to a traditional four-lane road. The proven configuration is like what is used on Highway 5 south of Camdenton and in many other places in Missouri and throughout the U.S., Winders said.

He discussed the Highway 54 Coalition, which is made up of the local governments on 54 in Audrain and Pike counties. It is a cooperative effort including MoDOT, Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments, Pike County Industrial Authority, mayors, managers, economic development professionals and others. It began in the early 2000s after a meeting of Vandalia Mayor Ramon Barnes and MoDOT officials.  

“The effort to bring all of the benefits of an improved 54 has helped bring about this grant and will continue,” Winders said. “We are extremely appreciative of the support of Congressman Graves, MoDOT and the BUILD program.”

Graves said in the release that securing the BUILD Grant is a “huge step forward on a project that has been in the works for many years. These improvements on Highway 54 will ensure that folks traveling this corridor are more easily and safely able to get to their destination.”

He added: “Congratulations to A Better 54 Coalition, Audrain and Pike Counties, the Mark Twain Council of Governments and all the folks who have worked tirelessly for many years to see this project come to fruition. I’m grateful to President Trump and Secretary Duffy for awarding this funding and working with me to make major infrastructure improvements in rural North Missouri.”

The release stated Graves previously secured a $10 million TIGER Grant in 2015 to help replace the Champ Clark Bridge on Highway 54 between Louisiana, Missouri, and Pike County, Illinois.