SIKESTON-To celebrate completion of the Route 67 project, the Mid-America Express event will be held Friday, Aug. 26. The project included upgrading the route to four lanes from north of Poplar Bluff to Fredericktown in Madison County.

Improving Route 67 was made possible through the partnership of the Highway 67 Corporation, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Funding was secured for the project after Poplar Bluff voters passed a tax to pay for a portion of the construction, Missouri voters passed Amendment 3 and an agreement was reached with the Army Corps of Engineers.

"With the current state of transportation funding, this project is a great example of what can be accomplished when funding is made available," said MoDOT District Engineer Mark Shelton. "The citizens of Poplar Bluff and Missouri voters realized the importance of investing in infrastructure."

The event will kick-off at 9 a.m. in Fredericktown and conclude at approximately 12:15 p.m. in Poplar Bluff.

The schedule of events and stops for the day includes:

•·         9 am - Fredericktown event at the Black River Electric Coop (2600 Highway 67)

•·         10:30 am - Greenville event at Greenville Campground (Boat Ramp Parking Lot)

•·         11:45 am - Poplar Bluff event at First Community Bank (2911 North Westwood Blvd.)

"We are pleased to open the route more than a year ahead of schedule and look forward to seeing the economic development opportunities it will bring to the area," said Shelton.

For more information, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).