Missouri transportation officials have long held the goal of making U.S. 36 a four-lane, divided highway across the entire state. And now that goal may become reality.

Media outlets reported recently that Pete Rahn, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, told officials of the U.S. 36/I-72 Transportation Corp. that the project could be closer to completion now that voters in the state have passed Constitutional Amendment No. 3.

That measure, passed Nov. 2 by an overwhelming margin, requires the state to spend all fuel taxes, vehicle taxes and vehicle fees on road work.

U.S. 36 runs across the northern part of the state from St. Joseph, MO, on the west to Hannibal, MO, on the east. It parallels the crowded Interstate 70, which many in the state complain is in bad condition.