Eleven southeast Missouri communities — including Houston — have been selected to receive $2.9 million in federal enhancement funds.
Houston’s project will add a stretch to the Village Trail, which covers the community. The area targeted for 2014 is Oak Hill Drive from Forest Drive to the trail head near Highway F and U.S. 63, said City Administrator Larry Sutton.
Twenty-nine applications were received this past November totaling $7 million in requests. The projects consisted of trails, historical preservation projects, sidewalks and ADA improvements to existing sidewalks. A selection committee comprised of representatives from local regional planning commissions reviewed applications before making their recommendations.
The local agencies selected to receive enhancement funds include Caruthersville, Houston, Kennett, Farmington, Arcadia, Desloge, Doniphan, Ste. Genevieve, Benton, Malden and Poplar Bluff/Butler County.
These funds, which are set aside by Congress to be used specifically for transportation enhancements, allow communities to develop projects that improve the quality of a community and enhance the travel experience for people traveling by all modes.
Sutton said engineering work would begin next year.