The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) last week awarded a contract to improve the intersection with construction expected to begin Feb. 16. Brentwood-based N.B. West Contracting Company was awarded the contract on a bid of $462,771 that was approved by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The project is a cost-share agreement between the city of Warrenton, MoDOT and the Warren County R-II School District. The new intersection will include a left turn lane and a stoplight to help ease congestion especially during the school year. The project is slated to be completed by Aug. 15, said Chris Knapp, MoDOT project engineer. "One reason we did delay was to do our best to minimize the impact to the school," he explained. "There is no way to get it all done during the summer. "Obviously, everyone wants to see it done and see it done quickly. We're happy to get the project going." School traffic will be affected once construction begins in February. In a release, MoDOT said Warrior Avenue will be closed at various times during construction and traffic will be detoured on city streets. While MoDOT had scheduled the intersection to be revamped in 2011 or 2012, the city of Warrenton began exploring the cost-share agreement to speed up the process. Route 47 has seen a significant increase in traffic at the intersection since the opening of Warrior Ridge Elementary School in 2007. Warrior Avenue also serves as the primary road for the high school. The city of Warrenton received a loan of $481,500 from MoDOT to accelerate the project. The loan includes the $300,000 MoDOT share, plus the remaining $181,500 of the city's share after its State Transportation Program funds are credited. The R-III School District has agreed to pay interest on the loan. Mayor Greg Costello acknowledged the project will help minimize the chance of a serious accident at the intersection. "Our concern was when we applied for these funds, we agreed we wanted to make sure our most precious commodity - our students and children - were safe," he said. "It was quite a concern for us." R-III Superintendent Dr. John Long welcomed the news that the project has gained final approval. He agreed the improved intersection will enhance traffic flow and allow for faster access for buses leaving the high school and elementary school. "I am excited," Long said. "Everyone would love it to be done yesterday, but knowing it will be done is great relief to me." The widening project has been delayed a couple of times since 2007 when then-Mayor Jim Shores signed the cost-share agreement. Water lines and other utilities were required to be dug deeper than initially planned. In February, MoDOT had trouble negotiating a purchase price with the eight property owners near the intersection. Had none of the delays occurred, Knapp said the project would have been completed by now. 8