Improvements on Route 47 south of Warrenton known as Hopewell Hill will be made over the next few years.  The project was recently added to MoDOT’s five-year program. “Incremental improvements have been made to address some of the issues over the past several years, so we are glad we can now make more significant improvements,” explained MoDOT Area Engineer Erik Maninga. Maninga said this is a challenging area to make improvements because of the steep hills and the rock bluffs. MoDOT is collecting more survey data and geotechnical information which will allow engineers to finalize a preliminary design. “Many property owners are being contacted to allow us to come onto their land to gather this data, and we appreciate their cooperation,” Maninga said.  The public will be involved in reviewing the preliminary design later this year or early next year. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the five-year transportation program in July, and it includes making improvements to Hopewell Hill beginning in the year 2014. Maninga said MoDOT works closely with Boonslick Regional Planning and its transportation advisory committee to determine transportation needs for the Warren County area. For more information call 1-888-275-6636.