By Willa Boisseau, SCANews Senior Editor

The big news for everyone using the Highway I-170/Olive Street Road interchange has been announced. Money for the new bridge and improved roadway is now available. Construction should begin in the year 2006-2007.

Construction funds were first approved by the many government groups controlling the project. Both Olivette and University City were ready for work to begin. Suddenly the state legislature was forced to cut back on all possible expenses, and the I-170/Olive project was eliminated in favor of another project.

To the state legislature this did not seem a very important project. To commuters and business communities in this entire area it was a severe blow. The communities joined forces to write, call, e-mail and circulate petitions letting the various government agencies know just how vital to the local economy the interchange, in a safe condition, is. City Councils, Boards of Aldermen, mayors and city managers used their influence to help.

Citizens, business and municipal action, together, finally won. Government listened. Funds have been restored. The I-170/Olive interchange will be built.