|
With New Federal Nod the Highway of the Future Heads to Missouri
Alternative fuel corridor
designations are making their way to
Missouri highways. The Missouri Department of Economic Development Division of
Energy's application for Missouri highways to be
designated as part of the national alternative fuel corridors was recently
approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal
Highway Administration (FWHA). The proposed corridor will
connect major metropolitan areas from across the country, traffic traveling
between east-west directions, I-70 and I-44, and in north-south directions,
I-29, I-35, I-49, and I-55.
An immediate benefit of an
alternative fuel corridor designation is the ability to use uniform signage
development by FHWA that would be recognized by all travelers around the United
States. Other potential benefits include priority funding to help build
infrastructures along highways that receive this designation. The new
infrastructures could include electric vehicle charging stations, compressed
natural gas refueling stations, liquid propane recharging stations, and
hydrogen refueling stations. By improving infrastructures it could relieve
stress from EV owners and possibly open opportunities for freight
transportation to utilize alternative fuels.
The designated alternative
fuel corridors directly impacts 45 counties in Missouri, the majority of which
are considered rural. The corridor designations are
expected to result in job creation and economic growth which are in line
with the Missouri Comprehensive State Energy Plan set forth in 2015 by Governor
Nixon.
For more Missouri energy information visit energy.mo.gov.
|
