Footbridge repair, mental health facility among items for Springfield in Missouri budget

Last week Missouri's legislature approved funding for an array of Springfield projects in the state's $51 billion budget, including funding repairs to Springfield's long-dormant Jefferson Avenue Footbridge.

Funding for that project was passed in last year's budget but was line-item vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson. It is unclear if Parson will sign the budget in its entirety or delay funding again.

The bridge has been closed since March 2016 after corrosion and steel loss were discovered during a routine inspection by the Springfield Public Works Department. The city found deficiencies in more than 40 percent of the footbridge that required extensive repairs.

Since then, the project has suffered from a series of delays and continually increasing budgets. Plans for its repair were put on hold indefinitely in 2021 when contractor bids came in more than twice what the city had anticipated. The city's budget for the project was set at $3.2 million, but the two bids submitted ranged from $5.5 million to $6.4 million. The city has repeatedly applied for different grants and sources of funding for the repairs to no avail.

More: Gov. Parson signs $47.5B Missouri budget, cutting tax rebates and two Springfield projects

Last year's state budget included a $5 million appropriation for the bridges repair before being vetoed. The governor wrote in his veto letter that the money for the footbridge requires the Missouri Department of Transportation to concur with the city on a bid award "that has not yet occurred."

Funding for the bridge repairs returned this year — now with an $8 million appropriation. The budget, and funding for the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge, was shepherded through the legislature by Springfield state senator and Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough. The $50.7 billion budget is $1.3 billion more than Parson proposed in January and $2.2 billion more than the House initially approved.

Here are some of the Springfield projects approved in the budget, subject to Parson's veto pen.

In a press release, Democratic state representatives Betsy Fogle and Stephanie Hein touted their effort to ensure Springfield got funding in the state budget. They both serve on the state House budget committee.

"I am proud of the work we accomplished, creating a budget that will leave a lasting impact on our institutes of higher education, infrastructure, health care and workforce development efforts,” Fogle said in a statement. “This budget reflects the needs of Springfield's families and will set the next generation up for success, and it was a pleasure to work alongside Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough to support our mutual constituents.”

The representatives also took credit for $14 million in funds approved to several Springfield nonprofits that support families in poverty and supported major investments in Missouri’s foster care system to improve child welfare. They supported more than $82 million in additional funding for statewide agencies on aging, specifically approving $1 million for the Give 5 volunteer program connecting seniors with volunteer opportunities across the Springfield region.

Investments for Missouri State University and Ozark Technical Community College in the budget total nearly $42 million in new appropriations.

"We earned sizable investments in Springfield’s public schools, families and seniors, and I look forward to continue working next year to bring more state funding back home,” Hein said in a statement.

Springfield Republican representative Alex Riley emphasized that the budget is "fiscally responsible" and balanced and praised a "number of fantastic projects" that will be completed in Springfield because of budget funding.

"I worked directly with the House Budget Chair to secure $10 million dollars in funding to support some of the amazing organizations we have in Springfield working to resolve homelessness in our area. This budget has the opportunity to make a transformational impact on our state for years to come," Riley told the News-Leader.

Republican representative Melanie Stinnett, who represents parts of Springfield and Greene County, told the News-Leader she advocated for funding Doula services in Springfield and training for those seeking employment in technology fields.

"Legislators from Southwest Missouri, specifically Greene County, did a wonderful job of highlighting our region as an area of growth and potential with targeted investments through the budget," Stinnett said.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Footbridge repair part of Springfield's gain in state budget