Construction could start early summer
Traffic was on the minds of at least 50 visitors to Centralia City hall the afternoon of January 18.
That is when a handful of Missouri Department of Transportation representatives held a community open house to inform the public about the upcoming roundabout to be installed at the intersection of Highways 22, 124 and 151 on Centralia’s northwest quarter.
According to MoDOT representatives, construction could start June 2024, at the intersection where Route 22 meets Routes 124 and Route 151.
MoDOT Highway Design Engineer Chase Barbarick, left, listens as Ed Dunstan, right, asks a question regarding the Centralia roundabout project
Construction will take place on state right-of-way, MoDOT representatives and Tara Strain, Centralia city administrator said. That means no businesses will be displaced and no eminent domain-powered taking of property.
The project has a budget of approximately $1.1 million.
One of those attending and asking questions was District 44 State Representative Cheri Toalson Reisch.
“I am very excited,” she said, looking at the various artist-renditions and illustrations of the project. “This is a wonderful plan. I love roundabouts. This project will decrease the accidents that happen at this intersection and I’m really looking forward to it getting completed.”
She said the project was an example of a community speaking for itself when asked about the project’s origins. “Actually, I think it was the Centralia community that brought it to their, MoDOT’s attention. The people of Centralia get full credit here.”
For the complete article see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.
An artist’s rendition of the roundabout.
