Press Release

City of Republic, Ozarks Transportation Organization, MoDOT, and Greene County Announce Award of $23.5 Million USDOT BUILD Grant for Route MM Widening

REPUBLIC, MO. — The City of Republic, Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO), Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), and Greene County are pleased to announce the award of a $23.5 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding will advance the Route MM Widening project in Republic, Missouri—one of southwest Missouri’s highest regional transportation priorities.

The Route MM Corridor has long been recognized as a critical infrastructure investment, identified as both a regional priority by the Ozarks Transportation Organization and a local priority by the Republic City Council. Over the past decade, local leaders have pursued numerous federal grant opportunities and state appropriations to advance the project, with steadfast support from local, state, and federal elected officials.

“I’m proud to have helped secure this critical grant for Greene County, and thankful to see this year’s BUILD Awards are doing exactly what your tax dollars are meant to do: invest in your local community. Widening Route MM to four lanes will reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety, while promoting greater economic growth. I am glad to see these investments being made in transportation infrastructure in Greene County and I will keep working to support future investments across the state of Missouri,” said Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO).

“This is great news for Southwest Missouri,” said Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO). “Route MM has become a vital corridor for our region, and these improvements will make travel safer, strengthen our transportation network, and support the continued growth of Republic and the surrounding communities. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’ll continue working to ensure Southwest Missouri has the infrastructure needed to support our economy and quality of life.”

The total project investment is estimated at $34.2 million and will widen Route MM from Haile Street to Interstate 44, including targeted intersection improvements along the corridor. The approximately 2.5 mile project will improve safety, reduce congestion, enhance freight mobility, and better accommodate the increasing commuter traffic generated by the region’s continued growth.

Colten Harris, Republic City Administrator states, “This grant reflects years of planning and strong partnerships. The Route MM widening project is a key transportation investment in supporting the continued growth of this corridor. Along with the City's new wastewater treatment facility, which is scheduled for substantial completion in October 2026, our planned one-million-gallon water tower by 2030, and MoDOT's Route MM realignment and railroad overpass project opening in 2028, these investments are creating the infrastructure necessary to accommodate future businesses, housing, and employment opportunities while ensuring Republic can continue to grow responsibly. It is a huge win not just for the community of Republic but for the Southwest region of Missouri."

Today, more than 3,000 jobs are located along the Route MM corridor, with the potential for at least 3,000 additional jobs as surrounding properties are developed. Significant investments have already been made to extend water, sewer, and electric infrastructure throughout the area. Combined with immediate access to Interstate 44 and the BNSF Railway, the corridor is uniquely positioned to become one of southwest Missouri’s premier employment and industrial growth centers.

Additional project funding will be provided through the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Cost Share Program, which partners with local governments to deliver state highway and bridge improvements through shared investment. The City of Republic originally applied for Cost Share funding in 2021, but escalating construction costs, inflation, and right-of-way acquisition expenses delayed implementation. While the project was included in both the Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 Missouri state budgets, funding was ultimately restricted because of statewide revenue limitations.

“MoDOT’s support has been invaluable as we’ve navigated the realities of delivering major infrastructure projects in a post-pandemic environment,” said Sara Fields, Executive Director of the Ozarks Transportation Organization. “Construction costs have increased dramatically, but MoDOT remained committed by providing both engineering expertise and financial partnership to keep this project moving forward.”

"We always appreciate the support of our partners like the Ozarks Transportation Organization and the City of Republic to look for innovative ways to advance transportation in Southwest Missouri" states MoDOT Southwest District Engineer Stacy Reese

The City of Republic, Greene County, and the Ozarks Transportation Organization will also provide local matching funds necessary to complete the project. “Greene County is happy to partner to invest in infrastructure that brings jobs to the region. We believe that partnering with local communities stretches our local resources further and accomplishes much more than we can alone” states Greene County Commissioner, Rusty MacLachlan.

Engineering and preliminary design services for the project were provided by Olsson.

The BUILD grant represents another milestone in the long-term development of the Route MM corridor. MoDOT is currently constructing the first phase of improvements—the Route MM Realignment—which includes relocating Route MM, constructing a bridge over the BNSF Railroad, and building a roundabout at Farm Road 160 while connecting the corridor to Farm Road 103 in Republic. A future fourth phase extending Route MM to the intersection of Routes ZZ and M remains planned but is not yet funded.

Fields credited the success of the BUILD grant application to years of regional collaboration.

“Our region is growing and building,” Fields said. “It takes help from our friends, but together we are ensuring transportation infrastructure remains a regional priority. Our partners at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce have advocated for this project and included it among the region’s legislative priorities for the past two years. Our member cities and counties have consistently spoken with elected officials and united behind Route MM as our number one priority. When we work together toward a common objective, we succeed.”

She continued, “This represents the second major transportation success our region has achieved by speaking with one voice. The first was securing state investment for improvements to Interstate 44, including $200 million dedicated to projects in the Springfield area. Route MM is our next success story, and we look forward to writing many more chapters through continued regional partnership.”

More information about the Route MM Widening BUILD Grant application is available at:
https://www.ozarkstransportation.org/route-mm-widening-2026

A complete list of U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant awards will be available on the USDOT website:
https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants

Media Contacts

City of Republic
Colten Harris, City Administrator
417-732-3111
charris@republicmo.com

Ozarks Transportation Organization
Sara Fields, Executive Director
417-865-3042 ext. 2
sfields@ozarkstransportation.org

MoDOT
Jennifer Williams, Communication Manager
417-895-7743
Jennifer.williams@modot.mo.gov