After seeing the number of vehicle accidents rise on Highway F, Innsbrook village officials are exploring a joint effort with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to widen the stretch of state-maintained roadway.

Innsbrook has proposed paying for the project upfront in hopes that MoDOT may reimburse the village in the future. Innsbrook officials want to voluntarily annex the MoDOT right of way on Highway F from the Highway M intersection to the resort entrance. The stretch covers 1.17 miles.

Les Buechele, an Innsbrook trustee and chief executive officer for the Innsbrook Corporation, believes a wider Highway F will be safer for motorists and cyclists traveling the roadway. For the past several years, Innsbrook has been the host of an Ultramax Triathlon that brings in hundreds of athletes to compete in the cycling portion that is held mainly outside the gated resort.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, no accidents were reported within the village limits in 2007, but six occurred in 2008 and five in  2009.

In the first three months of this year, two accidents have been reported. Buechele cautioned that there is not enough room for a motorist to safely pull over even in the case of a flat tire.

“We’re going to give this our best shot,” Buechele said in a meeting with the Warren County Commission Monday. “It seems like it’s one benefit the Innsbrook community and village can provide to our area. It’s our priority.”

Village officials want to have 4-foot rock shoulders on each side of the two-lane roadway, but due to the cost may have to settle for somewhere between 18 inches to 2 feet. A preliminary bid for the project topped $200,000 for 18 inches of rock, Buechele said.

He added the widening project would be similar to a stretch on Highway N just east of Highway T in western St. Charles County.

“We’re not sure what we can afford,” Buechele said.

He said MoDOT has shown support for the project, including reimbursing the village, though nothing has been finalized.

“We would be reimbursed if it worked in their budget,” Buechele explained.

As part of the annexation process required by MoDOT, any municipality within five miles had to be contacted in regard to the request. At Monday’s meeting, the county commission voted unanimously to send a letter of support to MoDOT for the annexation. All three commissioners voiced approval for the highway widening.

“If we can get a road improved in Warren County, that should be our goal,” Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson said.

Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage added: “Not only is it good for the people that live in Innsbrook, but for anybody that drives it. It’s good for all Warren County.”

Earlier, Warrenton, Wright City and Truesdale officials all voted and agreed to support the annexation.