House OKs land conveyance to Jefferson City to repair century-old viaduct

The Missouri House on April 23 adopted the Senate committee substitute for House Bill 21 08, a land conveyance measure intended to address deterioration of a viaduct in Jefferson City originally built in 1911 and rebuilt in 1951. The House recorded final passage with yeas 138 and nays 1.

The Cole County representative, who handled the bill, said the viaduct has been closed in recent weeks because it is not safe and that the conveyance will permit construction of roundabouts and other ingress/egress work to connect the west side of Jefferson City to downtown. The sponsor described the measure as a partnership between the state and Jefferson City to improve safety for state employees and the public.

During questioning, the rules chairman and other members pressed the sponsor about the value of the state land being conveyed and whether the city might offer reciprocal concessions, such as easing parking enforcement for constituents who visit the Capitol. The Cole County representative said the partnership and safety benefit were the primary considerations and that no dollar valuation was immediately available.

Members also noted Senate-added language putting an ESP multi-agency health lab facility within the bill and an amendment authorizing the sale of Northwest Missouri State University land to a county economic development corporation for fairgrounds and a campsite; the sponsor said those changes strengthened the bill.

The House adopted and then truly agreed to and finally passed the Senate committee substitute; the measure now goes to the governor.