Why Highway 47 Takes Years: What MoDOT Says About Funding, Fixes, and What Comes Next

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. — Questions surrounding Highway 47 and the intersection at Highway W have intensified in recent weeks as traffic increases and residents continue to raise safety concerns. To help clarify what is planned, what is possible in the short term, and why timelines often stretch years, Lincoln CountyWatch reached out to the Missouri Department of Transportation for a high-level explanation.

According to information provided by MoDOT, transportation projects follow a multi-step planning and funding process that begins long before construction ever occurs. Projects move from planning, to prioritization, to funding, then to bidding and construction — a sequence designed to ensure limited transportation dollars are spent where needs are greatest.

High-level overview of how MoDOT prioritizes transportation needs and moves projects from planning to funded construction. Graphic provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)

MoDOT officials explained that most road funding in Missouri comes from the state road fund, which is primarily supported by fuel taxes, vehicle sales taxes, and licensing fees. That funding is overseen by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and then distributed statewide based on lane miles, population, and system needs. Missouri maintains one of the largest highway systems in the nation but ranks near the bottom nationally in funding per mile, making prioritization critical.

To determine which projects move forward, regional planning commissions — made up of local officials and transportation stakeholders — identify and rank needs across their regions. In Lincoln County, that work is handled through the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission. Projects that cannot yet be funded are placed on an “unfunded needs list,” which functions as a queue. As funding becomes available, higher-priority needs move into MoDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), at which point they become funded and committed projects.

Regarding Highway 47 specifically, MoDOT confirmed that multiple projects are already in the pipeline, including resurfacing and long-term safety improvements such as shoulder widening and curve realignment. These larger projects must be contracted out and require completion of the full planning and funding process before construction can begin.

Excerpt from MoDOT's Tier 3 unfunded road and bridge needs list, showing long-term projects under consideration for Lincoln County and surrounding areas. Tables provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

In the meantime, residents have asked whether interim improvements are possible. MoDOT noted that short-term maintenance items — such as patching, striping, signage, and surface treatments — are handled by maintenance crews as conditions allow. However, more substantial improvements like widening or redesigns are not considered interim work and must go through the full STIP process.

Concerns have also grown around the intersection of Highway 47 and Highway W, particularly with increased commercial traffic in the area. According to MoDOT, that intersection is currently listed as a Tier 3 project on the unfunded needs list. While that designation typically places a project several years out from funding, MoDOT officials emphasized that the list is reviewed annually and priorities can shift as traffic patterns and safety data change.

MoDOT officials stated that while the department continues to monitor conditions at the intersection, the broader challenge remains funding constraints across the statewide system. Maintaining existing infrastructure takes priority, followed by addressing the highest-risk safety needs as funding allows.

For residents who want to raise concerns or report roadway issues, MoDOT encourages the public to submit requests directly through its website at modot.mo.gov or by calling 1-888-ASK-MODOT. These reports help maintenance teams address immediate issues and contribute to long-term planning discussions.

This article is based on information provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation in response to public inquiries regarding Highway 47 and Highway W.