The Missouri Department of Transportation continues to build enthusiasm for upcoming Northwest Missouri projects that will rely on federal funds.

Officials with MoDOT's District One office in St. Joseph offered a preview of the spending at a special Tuesday night session. District Engineer Don Wichern said the region should see 6.7 percent of the state's $788 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"This program is all about jobs," he said. "We're going to put people to work as quick as we can. It's going to help us improve the system faster."

A draft list of projects includes nearly $15 million for resurfacing the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 35 near Lathrop and $9 million for painting, re-decking and repairs of the Missouri River bridge on U.S. Highway 136 at Brownville, Neb. Construction of new pavement for I-35 began soon after President Obama signed the legislation on Feb. 17, marking it as one of Missouri's first stimulus-related projects.

Those projects and others throughout the region were developed through MoDOT's cooperation with various agencies such as the Mo-Kan Regional Council, Mr. Wichern said.

"We continue to work with our planning partners," he said.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is scheduled to meet next week in Branson to discuss the statewide list of federal stimulus projects, said member Dave Gach of St. Joseph. About 30 projects are scheduled for action by the commission.

"It'll be good for the area" through the involvement of local quarries and sand plants, he said of the projects.

Assistant District Engineer Tony McGaughy said the work also could lure out-of-state contractors to the area.

"That should help hotels and places to eat," he said. "It kind of builds on itself."

The funding also may include nearly $1.4 million in development funds for urban transit agency projects in St. Joseph. A total of $1.3 million may be designated for truck staging improvements for the St. Joseph Regional Port Authority.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.