SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - While crowds celebrate historic Route 66 in downtown Springfield this week, another group is talking about the future of the area's highways. People in northwest Greene County met with officials on Thursday evening to hear what could be in the works.

When you talk about the possibility of a freeway cutting through farms, there are bound to be a lot of questions and big concerns. Concerned residents brought plenty of both to the forum hosted by the Greene County Commission. While the project would likely be years (even decades) away, the debate has already started.

Carlee Aldrich, a local cattle farmer, stated, "Knowing that some of the ideas are really close to our hay production and cattle pasture- that's why I wanted to be able to come tonight to learn more."

People wanting answers about preliminary talks of a potential James River Freeway extension packed the public meeting in Willard, which is one of the communities that would find itself near the pathway. Those in attendance expressed concerns over the route of the freeway, how the land acquisition process would work, and how the project would ultimately impact them.

This proposed freeway would be a MoDOT project, which means anything planned or paid for would be through the state. County commissioners say they're getting involved since the highway would run through the county, and they want to make sure residents' voices are heard during the process going forward.

Bob Dixon, Greene County Presiding Commissioner, explained, "There was a lot of fear and a lot of rumors. We wanted to explain the process- what did happen, and what did not happen. It was an idea. And we follow the process every time."

Aldrich stated, "At the end of the day as an agriculturalist and a farmer, I strive every day to make the decision to improve our operation. I see those decisions are for the next generation to make sure that my family can continue to farm."

Community planners say it's likely that one day our growing county will have a lot more people and traffic than it does not. That's why ideas are being exchanged now regarding what our transportation future looks like. The idea is to extend the freeway beyond its current beginning/end point at I-44, north toward Springfield-Branson National Airport and Willard before looping north of Springfield back to Highway 13 and U.S. 65. County officials told the audience there is no map, timeline, or money. The possibility remains a mere concept for now.

Dixon said, "It is really not in a beginning stage. It is in a question of do we need it? And that is a community question and that is why we are here".

MoDOT has determined it will cost $1.5 million to conduct a feasibility study on the potential route. However, that money has not been allocated and it remains an unfunded need. The study is on the funding wait list, likely meaning the highway idea isn't going away anytime soon.

"I think anytime someone's livelihood may or may not be impacted, there is a little bit of a heated-ness that could come with that. Aldrich said. "I think at the end of the day it was nice for everyone to be able to take a deep breath, and it gives an opportunity for farmers like myself to remain involved."

News Source : https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/fears-over-future-freeway-lead-to-meeting/