Nightmare on 7th Street: MoDOT offers update on 7th Street construction

(From MoDOT)

Progress Update for Route 66 Improvement Project for Week of Sept. 7

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 7.

No work is scheduled for Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Work will resume Tuesday, September 8.

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

Work scheduled

Contractor installing new storm sewer on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between St. Louis Avenue and Park Avenue

Contractor is planning for additional storm sewer work on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Highland Avenue and Florida Avenue

CLOSING Ozark Avenue south of Route 66 (7th Street) beginning Tuesday, September 8 for replacement of pavement

Florida Avenue currently CLOSED on both sides of Route 66 (7thStreet) for pavement replacement, installation of new traffic signal infrastructure and to accommodate temporary traffic shift

Pavement replacement for south half of Route 66 (7th Street) between McConnel Avenue and just east of Florida Avenue planned for September 13 & 14 (work done outside of regular business hours)

City of Joplin working to replace sidewalk on south side of Route 66 (7th Street) just east of Ozark Avenue

City of Joplin crews working at the alley near the intersection of Route 66 (7th Street) and Virginia Avenue

Liberty Electric crews planning for installation of new light poles within the next couple of weeks, but no current work on Route 66 (7th Street)

Missouri American Water crews relocating water line on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between School Avenue and Michigan Avenue

Missouri American Water crews relocating and doing tie-in work on water line on north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Pennsylvania Avenue and Kentucky Avenue

Missouri American Water crews relocating and doing tie-in work on both sides of Route 66 (7th Street) between Kentucky Avenue and Grand Avenue

Missouri American Water plans road closures along Route 66 (7thStreet) at Vermont Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue and High Avenue

AT&T crews working during nighttime hours relocating utilities between Minnesota Avenue and St. Louis Avenue.

AT&T crews planning for excavation at the alley between Pearl Avenue and Wall Avenue
Lumen Fiber crews relocating utilities at Florida Avenue north of Route 66 (7th Street)

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