Graves Applauds $1.5 Million Grant for Pike County Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today applauded the announcement of a $1.5 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to Pike County. The grant will create a bypass around the southern part of the City of Louisiana, enabling motorists to avoid Highway 79 which closes whenever a flood occurs.

"In Louisiana, Missouri, and throughout Pike County, folks have dealt with repeated flooding and the impacts it has when critical roads get shut down. This grant ensures people can still go about their lives when the next flood hits, so that farmers can still get grain to the elevator, businesses can continue operating and workers can safely get to their jobs. I'm thankful that the Trump Administration continues to recognize the challenges our rural communities face. Congratulations to the City of Louisiana, Pike County and the Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments on securing this critical funding," said Graves.

The grant will provide major improvements to Pike County Road 251, which is currently used as an alternate route during flooding. The road saw a 360% increase in traffic during the Flood of 2019. However, the narrow gravel road is not built to handle a heavy amount of traffic or large loads.

Improvements will include widening and paving the road which will provide a safe and reliable route to use during flooding

The EDA grant, to be matched with $376,393 in local investment, is expected to retain nearly 40 jobs. The project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019, which Graves supported. That bill provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for the Flood of 2019 and other disasters.

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