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County executive pitches county share of interchange design to leverage I‑70 investment in eastern Jackson County
Summary
County executive urged the legislature to commit $150,000 toward design work that would position an interchange and outer‑road connections in Grain Valley, saying that county funds would leverage local, private and federal support and connect to a $350 million regional I‑70 project.
The county executive told the Jackson County Legislature that a recently opened Lehi Hulse Road bridge is part of a larger set of improvements tied to a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar I‑70 project and urged the body to commit a $150,000 county share of a $450,000 design package so the area can qualify for construction funding.
"This bridge is more than concrete and steel," the county executive said during his presentation, describing a project corridor that he said would support an interchange, outer roads and new economic development opportunities in Grain Valley, Oak Grove and other eastern parts of the county. He noted that "In fiscal year 20 24, the Missouri General Assembly and the governor approved $2,800,000,000 to plan, design, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and expand Interstate" and said Jackson County had secured $5.2 million in federal funds that MoDOT can treat as matching money.
The executive presented a breakdown of the local design cost: $450,000 total, with Jackson County’s share proposed at $150,000, Grain Valley $100,000, Oak Grove $50,000 and private development covering the remaining $150,000. He framed the $150,000 county outlay as a lever to unlock approximately $22 million in local improvements and connection to the broader $350 million MoDOT project.
Legislators asked whether the county would lead construction or pay only for design work; the executive clarified the county would pay only the design portion and that MoDOT would handle construction and prevailing‑wage obligations. The executive invited questions and said the proposed county contribution would be considered under pending ARPA allocation proposals, and he asked the legislature to evaluate the request in coming meetings.
