Powerful U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio), who chairs the U.S. House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill, is trying to obtain federal funding to try to replace Jefferson City’s aging tri-level. He’s told 939 the Eagle that he’s had conversations with Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s office about the project. State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) and Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” Both remain hopeful that that it can happen. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says 86,000 vehicles a day come through the tri-level area, with three major highways converging in the same area. MoDOT says the tri-level bridges were built in 1964 and that the “flyover” bridges were built in 1991. They also previewed Missouri’s 2024 legislative session and Senator Bernskoetter corrected reports that he was involved in a recent crash. Senator Bernskoetter notes it was a different Mike Bernskoetter, and he’s critical of a Facebook group that he says is not affiliated with the Cole County Republican Club:
(LISTEN): Efforts underway to try to obtain federal funding for Jefferson City tri-level project
A powerful northern Missouri congressman who chairs the U.S. House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill is trying to obtain federal funding to help replace Jefferson City’s aging tri-level.
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) tells 939 the Eagle that he’s had conversations with Governor Mike Parson’s office about the project.
“Maybe some intrastate highway dollars that are out there. And that’s dollars specific to goods and services that pass from one state to the next on our federal highway system,” Congressman Graves says.
The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says rebuilding the tri-level will cost about $40-million, adding that the nearby Rex Whitton Expressway would also have to be rebuilt. That’s an additional $53-million. MoDOT central district engineer Michelle Watkins told “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” last week that MoDOT currently doesn’t have the funding for the two projects.
“It’s possible we might be able to make that work there too. But anyway we’re talking to the governor’s office about what the potential opportunities are,” Graves says, referring to intrastate highway dollars.
MoDOT says 86,000 vehicles a day come through the tri-level area, with three major highways converging in the same area. MoDOT says the tri-level bridges were built in 1964 and that the “flyover” bridges were built in 1991.
(AUDIO): U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) discusses AM radio, 2022 deadly train derailment and Santos on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) chairs the powerful U.S. House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill. He joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning. Congressman Graves tells listeners he supports bipartisan legislation to prevent automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in new cars, saying 90 percent of Americans are covered by an AM radio station or stations. He also says AM radio is critical in rural Missouri for emergency alerts, weather information and news. Congressman Graves also says crossings will be a key part of the final National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on the deadly 2022 train collision and derailment in north-central Missouri’s Mendon in his district, and he also weighed in on the controversy surrounding embattled U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-New York). Congressman Santos is charged in a 13-count federal indictment. Congressman Graves describes Congressman Santos as a “professional con man”:
(AUDIO): Missouri Congressman Graves expects NTSB report on deadly Amtrak derailment to highlight crossing markings
A northern Missouri congressman who chairs the U.S. House Transportation Committee says a federal agency is working on its final report on last June’s deadly collision between an Amtrak passenger train and a dump truck near Mendon.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a two-page preliminary report in July, which notes the train was authorized to go 90 miles per hour in that stretch. NTSB says the Amtrak train was traveling 89 miles per hour when the emergency brakes were activated. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) tells 939 the Eagle that he expects the final NTSB report to mention the marking of crossings.
“What’s interesting about it is and we had a crossing marking problem and we’ve had that in various places across the country for that matter when it comes to marking some of those crossings. And there’s money out there to be able to do that but it’s kind of a limited number that are done each year. Well the good news with that is it’s sped up that process considerably and getting more and more of those marked every year,” Congressman Graves says.
The NTSB’s preliminary report says the June 2022 collision caused $4-million in damage. The crash killed three train passengers and dump truck driver Billy Barton II. About 150 others suffered injuries.
“That’s one of the good things that will come out of this very unfortunate accident is to see more of those crossings marked quicker,” says Graves.
Congressman Graves, whose district includes Moberly and Mexico, traveled to Jefferson City on Monday to meet with state senators regarding the I-70 rebuild project.
“We came down to visit with the (Missouri) Senate. I know they’re working on the I-70 proposal along with the (Missouri) House and we just wanted to visit a little bit about that and some of the priorities that I am hoping to get done for the state of Missouri. So it’s always good to come back to the Capitol,” Graves says.
Congressman Graves tells 939 the Eagle that he will support whatever I-70 bill is ultimately approved by state lawmakers. He confirms that he’s trying to find additional federal funding for the massive project.