$1 Million Roundabout Coming to Shinn Ln

The wheels are now in motion to bring a million dollar project to the western edge of Hannibal.

The Hannibal City Council unanimously approves a bill to upgrade Shinn Lane to accommodate future growth. The project centers on a circular intersection known as a roundabout. It will be built at the intersection of Shinn Lane and Hospital Drive.

City Manager Jeff LaGarce says roughly 2,000 employees work along the Shinn Lane corridor. The growing medical community and recent developments such as Moberly Area Community College are increasing traffic flow. Future developments including a new 80-bed hotel and a business park could result in serious traffic problems without the upgrade.

How will the city pay the estimated $1,006,000 cost? LaGarce says the city can tap into $332,400 in MoDOT funds. The remaining $673,600 would be the city’s portion. However, LaGarce hopes to land a Missouri Moves grant for $323,600. That would bring the city’s portion down to $350,000. If the grant does is not approved, the Hannibal BPW has offered a short-term loan for the remainder.

The new hotel proposed for the area means the roundabout would likely be built in 2017, as the hotel is being constructed. The MoDOT STP money must be used by 2019 or it will be permanently forfeited.