Construction on the last section of Route 36 to provide a four-lane roadway across the entire

state is scheduled to begin this spring. A 22.5-mile section between Macon and Shelbina is the last piece of the 52-mile four-lane project from Hannibal to Macon.

Construction on this estimated $89 million corridor project began in 2007 with the first of three sections built from Monroe City to Hannibal. The second section from Shelbina to Monroe City began later that same year, and the 2008 construction season will see the final piece of this project underway.

Weather permitting, all four lanes are expected to be open before 2010.

On August 2, 2005 voters in Macon, Shelby, Monroe and Marion counties approved the formation of a Transportation Development District (TDD) and implementation of a half-cent sales tax to partially fund the 52-mile upgrade. A $7 million federal earmark supported by Congressman Kenny Hulshof also helped fund the $89 million project.