The Sedalia City Council gave their approval Tuesday, Jan. 20 to a pair of grant applications that would go toward the development of two traffic projects sought by the city.

The council authorized applications on behalf of the city for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development or BUILD Grant. Mayor Andrew Dawson says if the city were to receive the grants, they would go toward building a new overpass near the current Washington Street Bridge and placing a roundabout at the intersection of State Fair Boulevard and Main Street. However, he cautions that the grants are very competitive.

Dawson says the goal for the bridge grant is to build an additional span over the Union Pacific Railroad, rather than a replacement of the Washington Street Bridge that remains closed as a rehabilitation project continues.

Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, the Sedalia City Council accepted an airport infrastructure grant for part of the runway rehabilitation project, totaling $253,602. The city will provide a match of $13,348. The council also authorized providing $32,529.16 for repairs to a fire engine that was recently damaged in a collision; Dawson notes that the city’s insurance will reimburse the cost. Melissa Turner was named to the Public Library Board to fill the remaining five months of a term for the seat previously held by Jackie Marshall.