Nightmare on 7th Street: MoDOT offers latest update

(From MoDOT)

Progress Update for Route 66 Improvement Project for Week of Sept. 21 

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 (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 Florida Avenue and Ozark Avenue

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

Contractor is working on pavement replacement for north half of Route 66 (7th Street) between Florida Avenue and Ozark Avenue

Contractor is coordinating with utilities for work to complete traffic signal installation at Florida Avenue

City of Joplin working on sanitary sewer relocation on Kentucky Avenue north of Route 66 (7th Street)

City of Joplin planning night work for pipe crossing under Route 66 (7th Street at Kentucky Avenue

City of Joplin crews installing section of sidewalk on south side of Route 66 (7th Street) east of Ozark Avenue

Liberty Electric planning for upcoming utility relocation work on north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between St. Louis Avenue and Murphy Boulevard

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

Missouri American Water crews doing additional water line relocation work on south side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Kentucky Avenue and Grand Avenue

Missouri American Water crews doing water line tie-in work on both sides of Route 66 (7th Street) at the intersections of Commercial Avenue, High Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue and Michigan Avenue
AT&T planning for excavation at alley between Pearl Avenue and Wall Avenue

Bluebird Fiber crews working on replacement of pull box at Highview Avenue

Lumen Fiber crews working on utility relocation at Florida Avenue north of Route 66 (7th Street

Sparklight crews planning for relocation of overhead lines at intersection of 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