Denison: Lakewood Street Closed For Two Weeks

“People who deal with life generously and large-heartedly go on multiplying relationships to the end.” – Arthur C. Benson

Fiscal Year 2012 State Operating Budget (House Bills 1 – 13)

The 13 bills that make up the state’s operating budget for the next fiscal year came to the floor this week. After a little more than five hours discussion and with only a handful of amendments, the House gave strong bipartisan approval to the approximately $23.2 billion state budget.

District News

Lakewood Street CLOSED Up to Two Weeks West of Campbell Avenue Starting April 4

MoDOT, District 8, Springfield – Lakewood Street on the west side of Campbell Avenue (Route 160/13) will be closed for up to two weeks beginning Monday, April 4, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. Contractor crews must relocate a gas line and two stormwater drain pipes underneath Lakewood Street just west of Campbell Avenue. This work is part of an ongoing project to six-lane Campbell Avenue between South Avenue north of James River Freeway and a point north of Plainview Road.

During the utility relocation that will block Lakewood Street, drivers can access the Springfield-Greene County Library Center to the north by using El Camino Alto Street off of Campbell Avenue.

Also closed during the two-week period when Lakewood Street is closed on the west side of Campbell Avenue:

• Right-turn lane from southbound Campbell Avenue into Lakewood Street.
• Left-turn lane from northbound Campbell Avenue into Lakewood Street
• Westbound through lane of Lakewood Street on the east side of Campbell Avenue.

Project Information

The project will:

• Widen along each outside shoulder of Campbell Avenue (Route 160/13) between South Avenue and a point north of Plainview Road (Farm Road 182) to add a new lane in each direction. A portion of the widening on the west side of Campbell Avenue between James River Freeway (Route 60) and Lakewood Street was completed earlier by a developer.
• Build dual left-turn lanes on Campbell Avenue to turn east and west onto James River Freeway, build dual-left turn lanes on the freeway’s eastbound off-ramp to turn north on Campbell Avenue and triple-left turn lanes on the freeway’s westbound off-ramp to turn south on Campbell Avenue.
• Install a new sidewalk on the west side of Campbell Avenue between Republic Road north of the freeway and Cardinal Street south of the freeway.
• Build concrete medians in various locations to lengthen left-turn lanes.

MoDOT, the City of Springfield and Greene County are partners in the Campbell Avenue six-laning project.

The prime contractor is Hartman Construction Company of Springfield, doing the work for a low bid amount of $4.9 million. Part of the construction cost is being funded by federal funds earmarked by U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond and U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt. (For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/springfield.

Visitors

On Tuesday, March 29, 2011, Greg Horton, Chief Executive Officer, Integrity Home Care, Springfield; Elisa Pellham, Executive Director, Integrity Home Care, Independence; and James Moody, James R. Moody & Associates, stopped by my office.

On Tuesday, March 29, 2011, James R. Billedo, President, Communications Workers of America, Local 6312, Springfield, and Josh Heuser, El Dorado Springs, and also with the Communications Workers of America, Local 6312, visited my office as well as other legislators.

Also, March 29^th was the Missouri Credit Union Association’s Annual Advocacy Day. Craig Tabor, Executive Director, Postal Federal Community Credit Union, Springfield, and Ed Hirsch, President/CEO, Assemblies of God Credit Union (AGCU), Springfield, were in my office.

On Wednesday, March 30, 2011, Speaker Steven Tilley presented John Twitty, retiring General Manager of Springfield City Utilities, with an Outstanding Missourian award. City Utilities’ executive staff were at the Capitol for the presentation of the award.

Pictured at right: John Twitty, Rep. Denison, Sharon Gott, Brenda Putnam, Scott Miller, Lisa Turner, Amy Austin, Mike Finch, Dean Thompson, John Black, Kyle McClure, Bob Jackson

On March 30^th, Sheriff Jim Arnott, Greene County Sheriff was at the Capitol for Missouri Sheriffs Association Legislative Day. I appreciate the visit from Sheriff Arnott, and I appreciate his service to the citizens of Greene County.

Pictured at right: Rep. Denison, Sheriff Jim Arnott

March 31st was also the 29th Annual Missouri Child Advocacy Day. Donna Petiford, President-Elect, Missouri PTA, Springfield, and Dawn Thompson, Springfield Council of PTA’s, Springfield participated in this event. Donna and Dawn stopped by my office to discuss issues affecting children.

On Thursday, March 31^st, visitors with the American Diabetes Association, Springfield, visited the Capitol. The visitors were the staff members: Carla Wade, Manager, Renee Paulsell, Rachel Drake, and association members: Samuel Pruitt, Maddie Gardner, Isabel Hart, AJ Lynn, Kylie Stage, Tony Carr, and Nicole Andrews, along with their parents. Samuel, Maddie, Isabel, AJ, Kylie, Tony and Nicole, were introduced as guests on the House floor, and they were named Honorary Pages for the Day. While at the Capitol, they also toured the Capitol and visited other legislators.

Pictured at right: American Diabetes Association members, member’s families, staff, Rep. Denison

I look forward to hearing from you, and if you will be in Jefferson City, please stop by my office. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Best wishes.