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Council OKs emergency study contract for I-44 culvert and Silver Creek detention work
Summary
The council approved an emergency work authorization (not to exceed $175,000) with Algar Martin & Associates to perform hydraulic modeling and environmental review for an I-44 culvert near Sunnyvale and Silver Creek detention planning, aiming to align with MoDOT's Forward 44 schedule.
The Joplin City Council approved an emergency work authorization to hire Algar Martin & Associates (AMA) for hydraulic modeling and environmental review tied to a proposed I-44 culvert and a Silver Creek detention study.
Jeremy (city staff) told the council the study is a necessary first step to provide MoDOT with hydraulic information and design criteria so the city's culvert work could be incorporated into MoDOT's Forward 44 Southwest improvements. The contract is not to exceed $175,000 and staff said funds are already budgeted in the parks and stormwater sales tax fund; construction funding would come from the capital improvements sales tax if the culvert is advanced.
Kurt Higgins, representing Algar Martin & Associates, described the firm's scope: hydraulic study and modeling of storms from 2-year events up to the 100-year storm, review of environmental data, and assistance coordinating environmental clearances with MoDOT and the city. Higgins said the study will consider downstream impacts and the possibility of enlarging existing detention to avoid increasing flows downstream of I-44.
Councilmember Farnham asked whether any federal or other overlying government restrictions (for example, EPA or wetland designations) exist on the Silver Creek detention site. Higgins said he was unaware of a superfund designation and that environmental reviews included with the scope would surface any such constraints.
Council approved the emergency ordinance on a roll call vote to match MoDOT's timeline (motion carries 8 in favor, 1 absent). Staff said further design and construction work would return to the council as separate projects.
