The first phase of work is limited to the construction of an access road to be built north from New Madrid Street near the entrance to Parking Lot 3, known as the "Pig Lot," west of the Student Recreation Center. The access road will connect all levels of that lot with the various levels of the Multi-Modal Transfer Facility.

A multi-modal transfer facility is a tiered, "park and ride lot" with a public transportation bus transfer facility. University travelers would park their vehicle at the facility and then use the campus shuttle system or walk to reach their destination. It will include a combination of structure and surface parking with the integration of a transit office, which will handle the coordination and dispatching of University shuttles. The proposed design includes 600 surface parking spaces, 1,200 structure parking spaces and a transit transfer area.

The approximately $12.5 million project is being funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant administered through the Missouri Department of Transportation. It covers 80 percent of the cost. The University is responsible for a 20 percent match from its Parking and Transit Auxiliary.

U.S. Rep. JoAnn Emerson was instrumental in the University receiving federal funding for the project. Emerson and other dignitaries will be on hand for an official groundbreaking ceremony planned for 3:30 p.m., Oct. 18 at the construction site off of New Madrid Street, west of the Student Recreation Center.

The project will be completed in a number of phases over a five-year period. The access road to be constructed during the first phase is expected to be complete in the spring. Nip Kelley Equipment Co. Inc. is serving as the contractor on the first phase.

The construction work area includes the eastern section of Parking Lot 3 (Pig Lot). Due to the construction, beginning Friday evening, Sept. 27, commuter parking will be relocated to the northern two tiers of the Show Me Center parking lot (Parking Lot 48). Shuttle buses will pick up commuters parking in that area. Resident parking will remain in Parking Lots 3 and 9.

For more information about the project, please contact Keith Kimmel, Facilities Management project manager, at 651-2719.