City of Ozark hosts top elected and appointed officials to discuss important long-range transportation needs.
Ozark, MO – (July 25) The City of Ozark hosted a meeting on July 25 at The Finley restaurant with key transportation decision makers from Jefferson City, Springfield, and Ozark to discuss future transportation needs along the US Route 65 corridor.
Those in attendance included Elijah Haahr, Missouri speaker of the house; Joelle Cannon, district office director – Sen. Roy Blunt; Ed Hassinger, MoDot deputy director and chief engineer; Jay Wunderlich, MoDot director of government relations; Steve Campbell, MoDot SW district engineer; Rick Gardner, Ozark mayor; Steve Childers, Ozark city administrator; Jeremy Parsons, Ozark director of public works; David Christianson, Cochran Engineering; Sara Fields, executive director Ozarks Transportation Organization; and Chuck Branch, chairman Ozark Planning and Zoning Commission.
“Christian County, is one of the fastest growing regions in the state, today was a great opportunity to share that growth with MoDot, and plan how we can partner together to capitalize and encourage future growth through new infrastructure and innovative planning,” Speaker Elijah Haahr said.
The open discussion centered on planning for future transportation projects such as a third interchange on US Route 65 between State Highway CC and State Highway 14 in Ozark.
“The future of economic development and maintaining a quality of life asset for our citizens depends on how well we can manage our transportation system,” said Steve Childers. “We know that more growth means more traffic, so we are proactively planning, identifying funding options, and meeting with key transportation officials to help us achieve our goals for the future."
Further discussions included the possibility of connecting Springfield Lake/Galloway Village and Ozark’s downtown Finley Farms project via a greenway trail.
In May, a steering committee for the “Chadwick Flyer Regional Trail” was formed to look into the feasibility of a trails system from Ozark to Galloway Village. This steering
committee will be headed by Jeremy Parsons, director of Ozark Public Works, and Mary Kromrey, executive director Ozark Greenways. The steering committee will also include representatives from Springfield, Christian County, City of Ozark, Ozark School District, and Finley Farms.
"The City of Ozark sees the 'Chadwick Flyer Regional Trail’ as a regional planning opportunity. The trail will provide connectivity to more than just some of the fastest growing communities in the Missouri. It will connect people to nature, areas of cultural significance, historically significant properties, neighborhoods, and unique commercial destinations; all while providing a healthy and viable alternative form of transportation for citizens throughout Christian and Greene Counties,” Parsons said.
Ozark Mayor Rick Gardner said he was more than pleased with openness of the discussions, and looks forward to future talks on Ozark’s transportation needs and trail plans with MoDot. “What an amazing meeting we had with members from MoDot, Speaker Elijah Haahr, and Joelle Cannon from Sen. Blunt’s office, discussing Ozark’s transportation needs and economic development opportunities. Cooperation is the key to accomplishing great things."
