The Student Government Association at Willard High School is getting a lesson in real world politics. Monday, the group kicked off a petition drive to ask the state to widen hwy 160.

...A decision sparked by the recent traffic deaths of three Willard students.

"How much it would cost to expand the highway is a small price to pay for someone's life," says Willard senior Kearsen Jones.

A heavy cloud still hangs over Willard High School students. Less than a month ago, three of their classmates died in a crash on highway 160.

"You just feel sick inside that that happened to someone," says Willard sophomore Charlie Bird.

"It really opened your eyes up to how dangerous it really is," says Jones.

They're hoping out of that tragedy can come a change. Skilled at making posters for school events, Monday they put their talents to a different use.

"Usually the things we do are mainly for school," says Willard Senior Hannah Sherertz.

Monday, they worked on posters to advertise the kick-off of the petition drive. The goal:

"We're hoping that it will save lives," says Bird.

They want the state to widen highway 160 to a 4-lane.

"We're tired of seeing our family, friends, and peers get killed on a road," says Jones.

They're bring the petitions to the Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO)'s December 17th meeting.

"This is not a typical method that the Ozarks Transportation Organization board has gone through," says Tim Conklin, the OTO's executive director.

While the OTO welcomes public input, it says the road is already considered a top priority. The problem: there's no funding. Changing the road to a 4-lane highway would cost $11.5 million.

"In the future, for the future of Missouri, it's going to be more and more difficult as funding levels drop off how to actually deliver these projects in the region," says Conklin.

The OTO says a cheaper option may be to add a passing lane to the road, rather than 4-laning. Either way, MODOT says not to expect any new projects for the next 2 or 3 years.

If you're interested in signing the petition, there's a copy at Willard city hall.

Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com