Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee (MMTAC) prioritized five Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) applications for the Meramec Region at its Aug. 14 meeting. 

The two committees heard about each project from representatives for each application. The projects prioritized from highest to lowest are: 

• Belle – sidewalk connections along First St. from Alvarado Ave. to Vienna Ave. and on Vienna Ave. from First St. to Second St. and then along Belle Ave. from Third street to the proposed Rock Island Trailhead;
• Waynesville – install three signaled crosswalks – on Route 66 near the courthouse, at Morgan St. and near the Roubidoux Bridge;
• Owensville – completion of the final Owensville section of the Rock Island Trail and complete ADA accessible trailhead information board and restroom at trailhead near city hall;
• Washington County – construct ADA compliant curb ramps and sidewalks around the County Courthouse; and
• Rolla – reconstruct ADA accessible transitions to downtown Rolla sidewalks. 

The MMTAC’s and TAC’s recommendations were approved by MRPC’s board at its meeting later that evening and were shared with MoDOT Central District. 

Additionally, the TAC approved all existing officers to serve a second term. Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson will serve as chairman. Phelps County Presiding Commissioner Joey Auxier will serve as vice-chairman and TR. Dudley representing Washington County will serve as secretary. Sam Rhoades of Washington County chairs MRPC’s Multimodal TAC.

Committee members also learned the Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) grant will open in September with $4.4 million in project funds available in Missouri. This grant can fund transportation improvements on local and state roadways serving federal lands. The Transportation Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) grant is open and will close Sept. 13. Information was also shared on EDA’s Disaster Resiliency grant program that can fund transportation projects related to federal disaster declarations for 2023 and 2024 disasters. 

MRPC staff also shared an update on highway fatalities in the region. As of the meeting on Aug. 14, the Meramec Region had posted 28 fatalities with only Dent County having no fatalities at the time. As of Aug. 31, the Meramec Region had 32 fatalities and Dent County had a single fatality in 2025. This is a 33-percent increase from the same time period in 2024 when the Meramec Region had 24 fatalities. The 18-county MoDOT Central District, which the Meramec Region is a part of, currently has 58 total fatalities, indicating that over half the fatalities are in the eight-county Meramec Region.   

Persons needing more information on MRPC’s Transportation Advisory Committee may contact MRPC at (573) 265-2993. The TAC will meet again at 4:00 p.m. Oct. 9 at MRPC, 4 Industrial Dr., St. James. Meetings are open to the public. 

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin serves as the current chair. A professional staff of 24 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

-30-