Local roadways to get preventive maintenance with federal funds

The RPM program, funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), allocated $8.3 million to the region to address the impacts of COVID-19 related to transportation programs. CRRSAA is 100% federally funded and requires no local match. At the recommendation of the Missouri STP Priorities Committee, MARC elected to use these funds to address preventive pavement maintenance needs that local governments deferred early in the COVID-19 pandemic. For the most part, the projects that received funding would not have been eligible for other federal funding.

MARC advertised three bid packages for the RPM program, covering the four counties. Four contractors submitted bids: Superior-Bowen, Vance Brothers, J.M. Fahey Construction and Ideker. The winning bids were lower than the engineering estimate, resulting in significant savings to the region. The roadway maintenance will take approximately one year to complete with an anticipated start in spring 2024. Design plans and construction engineering services are being provided by BHC Engineering, also under contract to MARC.

The RPM program provides funding to counties and cities based on population, with a minimum of $50,000 for each community with a population between 5,000 and 10,000. The program aims to address deferred maintenance needs for area roads by applying micro surfacing or mill and overlay treatments to extend pavement life and improve ride quality. The region’s policy is to maintain a multimodal transportation system that supports the efficient movement of people and goods and promotes economic development   .