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Council approves MoDOT cost‑apportionment agreements for 7th Street improvements
Summary
The Joplin City Council approved two emergency cost‑apportionment agreements with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the 7th Street improvement project, covering Maiden Lane to Main (about $5.3 million) and Main to Saint Louis (about $693,000). Staff said work will proceed in phases and construction is expected across multiple seasons, with a projected completion around Dec. 1, 2028 for the intersection segment.
The Joplin City Council on Sept. 15 approved two municipal cost‑apportionment agreements with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to fund portions of the Route 66/7th Street improvement project.
City staff described the agreements as two components of a larger MoDOT project. The Maiden Lane–Main Street section carries a city share of roughly $5,299,446.43 to cover sidewalks, a box culvert segment and associated city‑responsible elements; the Main Street–Saint Louis Avenue section totals $692,936.19 and includes intersection improvements at 7th and Illinois. Staff recommended emergency approval so the agreements could be included in MoDOT bid documents on schedule.
City project staff said construction engineering and oversight will be performed by MoDOT and that the city is responsible for portions such as sidewalks and a box culvert. A budget amendment of $3,349,647 was noted for the Willow Branch portion of the work. MoDOT project manager Craig Switzer said the bid will go out Nov. 14 and that construction likely will begin in March 2026 at the earliest; he gave a target completion date of Dec. 1, 2028 for the intersection work, explaining the project will span multiple construction seasons to preserve business access and utilities.
Councilmembers asked about property ownership and mapping; resident Mary Price pointed out a typographical error on the map that mislabelled a parcel. City staff acknowledged the typo and said the map attached to Council Bill 2025‑140 would be corrected before final engineering steps.
Both council bills were approved on emergency basis (recorded as 7 in favor, 2 absent), and staff noted the agreements must undergo additional MoDOT steps before inclusion in bid documents. City staff emphasized that the city’s portion was included in the capital improvement sales tax fund and that construction oversight would be MoDOT’s responsibility.
Next steps: staff will finalize corrections to mapping exhibits and proceed with the MoDOT process so the projects can be included in imminent bid documents.
