Grant for Business Loop 70 study moving forward
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A grant that had been canceled twice has once again been given the greenlight.
A Thursday press release on the website for the Business Loop 70 area says that a $2 million grant to study a portion of the street has been reapproved.
The grant – which was approved for use by the City of Columbia in March 2024 – was halted earlier this week by the Federal Highway Administration. The grant was frozen in early March but was unfrozen within two weeks.
“Yeah, we’ve got whiplash too but we are also very happy. And big thanks to everyone who expressed support for this important project for the City of Columbia. This is not an easy project and it’s nice to having everyone helping out,” according to a press release on The Loop Como’s website.
The money was approved last year to study Business Loop 70 between Stadium Boulevard and Eastland Circle to find ways to improve safety for motorized and non-motorized users, improving accessible multi-modal operations, providing aesthetics along the corridor and improving economic vitality along the roadway, a release from previous reporting says.
Business Loop 70 is maintained by Missouri Department of Transportation.
The City of Columbia requested $2.5-3 million in a 2023 application.