Joplin council finalizes contract for 32nd St. widening project

Posted on July 20, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin City Council finalized a contract for the 32nd street widening project and approved another one on first reading.

Earlier this month, council started the approval process for an $8.6 million contract to fund the widening project from Shifferdecker to Central City Road. Monday night they finalized that agreement with Emery Sapp and Sons, Inc.

They also approved on first reading a $520,000 contract for construction phase engineering services for the project.

“Some of those valley’s were raising up fifteen feet,” said Director of Public Works David Hertzberg. “So we’re doing some special monitoring in the materials testing make sure there is no settlement taken place over time.”

That $520,000 is part of the $8.6 million. Since this was only the first reading for the new contract, it will have to be approved again on second and third readings.

Route FF/Drywood Creek Bridge to close for rehab project

Posted on June 28, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

VERNON COUNTY, Mo. – The Route FF Drywood Creek Bridge northwest of Bronaugh, Missouri will close beginning the week of July 5. According to MoDOT, crews will remove the bridge deck/driving surface and replace it with a new surface.

This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state. The current structure was built in 1967 and is experiencing increasing deterioration. Approximately 160 vehicles cross the bridge daily. Officials expect the project to be completed December 1, 2021.

Traffic impacts:

- All lanes of Route FF will be CLOSED beginning the week of July 5
- Drivers will have access to entrances on either end of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone
- No detour will be signed, drivers are urged to find alternate routes around the project

Roundabout project scheduled for Missouri Route 171

Posted on May 25, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. -MoDOT officials say drivers can expect delays and lane closures during construction of a roundabout along Missouri Route 171. The project is scheduled to begin June 1.

Contractor crews will relocate the intersection at Missouri Route 171/Route 96 and Jasper County Route YY to the east and convert the intersection to a multi-lane roundabout. In addition, an approximately 26-mile stretch of Route 171 between the Missouri/Kansas state line and I-49 will be resurfaced.

The existing intersection is located immediately adjacent to the Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroad tracks which parallel Missouri Route 171. Vehicles, especially large semis and farm equipment, approaching from the west on Jasper County Route YY often must sit across the railroad tracks while waiting for a gap in traffic on Route 171. The project will increase the distance between the railroad tracks and Route 171, improving safety.

For much of the construction of the new intersection and roundabout, drivers will be able to travel along the existing roads. However, at times it will be necessary to close the roads. At those times, drivers will be directed to use signed detours along Missouri Route 43 and Jasper County Routes H, M and Z.

The project costs $9.8 million and officials expect it to be completed by December 15, 2021.

Joplin’s infrastructure recovery effort named Project of the Year

Posted on May 18, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin’s Infrastructure Recovery Project following the 2011 tornado receives recognition as project of the year.

The engineering and design firm Olsson announced the award from the American Public Works Association at Monday night’s city council meeting. Olsson served as the primary consultant for the city’s $56-million green area infrastructure revitalization plan.

“It’s very nice to be able to be recognized for what you’ve done,” said Olsson Vice President Jack Schaller. “But this is a truly collaborative effort. This is something the contractors, the city and the consultants were all pulling the rope the same direction. (They) have the eye on the prize of trying to get this rebuilt for our citizens, for the people that live here.”

Joplin received the award for disaster or emergency construction and repair in the $25-million to $75-million category.

Joplin voters to decide on Memorial Hall funding and Project Launchpad

Posted on May 18, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JOPLIN, Mo. – Voters in Joplin will get the chance to decide whether to fund renovations at Memorial Hall. The council Monday night voted to add a ballot issue to the April 2022 election asking whether voters would fund the 30-million dollar renovation.

In that same election, voters will decide the fate of “Project Launchpad.” The plan is to renovate the Old Joplin Library to serve as a business incubator and downtown office for Missouri Southern. The city will ask voters to help cover 10-million dollars for that project.

The council also added a ballot question to the August 3rd special election. It would extend a 0.25% sales tax for 10 years to fund storm water control and parks.

Concerns over parking in downtown Joplin come up again with new project proposals

Joplin city council presents action plans

MDC encourages people to help Missouri bumble bees

Posted on May 4, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is giving people the chance to help Missouri’s bumble bees through the Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas community science project.

Bumble bees are one of the more well-known pollinators due to their large size and loud buzz. These fuzzy fliers are critical pollinators, but their populations are rapidly declining. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of declines, but scientists suspect habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change are contributors. MDC), as well as the Xerces Society, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, and the University of Missouri are encouraging you to participate in community science by joining the Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas.

The Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas is a statewide community science project aimed at tracking and conserving Missouri’s native bumble bees. Participants across the state are asked to conduct bumble bee surveys and report back their findings. Survey methods are catch-and-release, so no bees are harmed, and data collection can be completed on cell phones.

By working together, the Atlas team of researchers will be able to use information submitted to assess species distribution, bumble bee population shifts, habitat associations, and more. This effort will help to better protect, restore, and manage effective habitat that can support healthy bumble bee populations.

No experience is necessary to help, and all are welcome. Participants are only asked to complete two in-depth online training sessions:

Session I – Tuesday, May 11 from 6-8 p.m.
- Value of Bumble Bees
- Bumble Bee Biology & Ecology
- Bumble Bee Conservation
- Introduction to the Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas

Session II – Thursday, May 13 from 6-8 p.m.
- Identifying Missouri’s Bumble Bees
- How to Participate in the Atlas
- How to Net and Photograph Bumble Bees
- How to Submit Findings

Registration is required to attend both workshops. Register at https://www.mobumblebeeatlas.org/events.html.

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