Osage, Maries, and Phelps Counties- The Missouri Department of Transportation will hold public hearings in February to gather public input on the U.S. Route 63 Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Work on the environmental study began in November 2006 to evaluate the current and potential future transportation needs along a 47-mile stretch of Route 63 from a half mile south of the Route 50/63 junction in Osage County to just north of Rolla. The study uses technical analysis and public insight to develop a preferred alternative that balances community needs with technical and regulatory constraints such as cost, feasibility, and environmental protection.

The first hearing for the Route 63 Draft Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17 at the Westphalia Knights of Columbus Hall, which is located on Route 63, one mile south of the Route 50/63 junction. The second hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 19 at the Vienna Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 206 Sixth Street in Vienna.

Both hearings will take place between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and are open house style, with no formal presentations made. The public may stop by either hearing at any time during the advertised hours to speak with MoDOT employees and review the study and various displays. All public input regarding the preferred alternative is important and the public is encouraged to participate and provide comments. All comments will be taken into consideration and made a part of the study file. Accessibility accommodations will be available.

An online public hearing will also be available at www.modot.org/central from Feb. 17 through Mar. 2, where the public can view displays and provide comment.

The complete Route 63 Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available online at www.modot.org/central, or the public can review the document at the following locations in the mid-Missouri area:

·        Legends Bank, 1950 Highway 63, Westphalia, MO, 65085
·        Bank of Freeburg, 131 Old Vienna Road, Freeburg, MO, 65035
·        Osage County Courthouse, 106 East Main, Linn, MO, 65051
·        Maries County Courthouse, 211 Fourth Street, Vienna, MO, 65582
·        Phelps County Courthouse, 200 North Main Street, Rolla, MO, 65401
·        Osage County Library, 1014D East Main Street, Linn, MO 65051
·        Rolla Public Library, 900 Pine Street, Rolla, MO 65401
·        MoDOT Central District Office, 1511 Missouri Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102

If you would like additional information about the hearings or other transportation matters, please call the MoDOT Customer Service Center toll-free at 888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.