Progress Update for Route 66 Improvement Project for Week of Oct. 5

Joplin - A project to make pavement, sidewalk, traffic and safety improvements along Missouri Route 66 (7th Street) in Joplin is underway. Here is an update of the work scheduled for the week of September 21.

Drivers are reminded that access to all businesses along Route 66 (7th Street) will be maintained during hours of operation.

Work scheduled:

• Contractor installing new storm sewer on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Highland Avenue and Patterson Avenue
• Florida Avenue currently CLOSED on both sides of Route 66 (7th Street) for pavement replacement, installation of new traffic signal infrastructure and to accommodate temporary traffic shift
• Contractor coordinating with utility companies to complete traffic signal installation at Florida Avenue
• Contractor is working on pavement replacement for north half of Route 66 (7th Street) between McConnell Avenue and Ozark Avenue
• Liberty Electric preparing for upcoming relocation work on north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between St. Louis Avenue and Murphy Boulevard
• Liberty Electric coordinating relocations of light poles with other utility companies between Main Street and Virginia Avenue
• Missouri American Water doing water line relocation and tie-in work on north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Virginia Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue
• City of Joplin doing sanitary sewer work on Kentucky Avenue north of Route 66 (7th Street)
• City of Joplin planning night work for pipe crossing under Route 66 (7th Street) at Kentuck Avenue starting Monday, October 5
• City of Joplin planning additional intermittent daytime traffic shifts on Route 66 (7th Street) between Pennsylvania Avenue and Kentucky Avenue
• AT&T planning for relocation work at alley way between Pearl Avenue and Wall Avenue
• Bluebird Fiber working on fiber relocation
• Sparklight preparing for relocation of overhead lines at Route 66 (7th Street) and Florida Avenue

Traffic Impacts:

• At least one lane of Route 66 (7th Street) OPEN in both directions
• Access to all business will be maintained during hours of operation
• Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
• No signed detours
• Check MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Project Details:

The project will make improvements along the Route 66 (7th Street) corridor in Joplin between Jasper County Route P (Schifferdecker Avenue) and Loop 49 (Range Line Road).

As part of this project, the contractor will rebuild the pavement, bring sidewalks up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and upgrade and replace several traffic signals along the corridor.

This contract also includes a project to rehabilitate the Oak Street bridge over I-49 in Carthage. That project is likely to start in 2027.

Project Information:

• Prime Contractor: D&E Plumbing & Heating LLC, Nixa
• Construction Cost: $61.6 million
• Contract Completion Date: December 1, 2028

For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest . To receive the latest news and text alerts, sign up for e-updates .

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