St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley was thrilled to learn today that St. Louis County has been awarded $20 million in funding for its share of “Finish the Job” – a joint County-State project that will ultimately extend Highway 141 from St. Luke’s Hospital north to the Maryland Heights Expressway.

“In light of our present, challenging economic environment, this is exactly the kind of economic stimulus that will benefit the entire region,” Dooley said. “Not only will the actual project itself mean steady paychecks for an estimated 560 construction personnel, economists estimate that the finished highway will help generate 21,000 new jobs and $2.3 billion in new revenues within five years of completion.”

With this final piece of its Highway 141 funding puzzle in place, St. Louis County expects to begin work on its 2.3 mile segment – from Olive Avenue to Page – by March 2010. The road will consist of two lanes in each direction – with room provided for an additional third lane sometime in the future. Work is expected to be finished by late fall 2011. In addition to the $20 million that Dooley successfully fought for (and which will be distributed by the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council of Governments), St. Louis County will use $30 million of County Highway funds, $5 million from Chesterfield and $5 million from Maryland Heights to finance its $60 million Highway 141 work.

“The 141 project is a bold proposal providing the region an opportunity to not only build an important roadway improvement but also a dramatic economic development project at the same time,” said Les Sterman, executive director of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

For more information about the potential economic benefits of the Highway 141 project, please see the following link: http://www.stlouisco.com/hwyweb/141impact.pdf