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MoDOT unveils I-49 proposed design
Local residents trickled through a public meeting presented by the Missouri Department of Transportation on Wednesday at the City/County Community Center in Nevada, poring over the images on the walls and on tables that map out the proposed design for transforming U.S. 71 to interstate standards. Eventually, the idea is to make U.S. 71 part of I-49, an already partially-constructed north-south transportation corridor from Louisiana to Kansas City.
In a nutshell, the upgrade would mean doing away with 13 at-grade crossings in Vernon County and replacing them with a system of outer roads and interchanges. Some of the existing at-grade crossings would become interchanges with bridges. One crossing, the Old Town access, is proposed as an underpass instead. Standing next to the map outlining that project, Assistant District Engineer Dan Salisbury noted, "That was suggested by one of the local farmers. We'll make sure there'll be enough room to get a combine under there."
The segment under discussion Wednesday isn't likely to begin any time in the next couple of years. Currently, the hope is that this portion of the project could begin in 2011. Becky Baltz, Southwest District engineer, said that the plans are in the design phase but the funding is not in place yet. She said MoDOT had collaborated with Arkansas for a portion of the I-49 upgrade known as the Bella Vista Bypass, but Arkansas was unable to fund its portion of the project. So, if those funds become available, the Joplin to Harrisonville portion of the project could take place sooner.
"We're trying to stay flexible," Baltz said. The project would probably not start in Vernon County at all, but with a West 52 interchange at Butler. Then construction would move to Highway 126 in Barton County, then move from south to north along U.S. 71.
The total project cost estimate is $200 million, but the cost of asphalt has tripled in the last year, and the volatile economic climate could put a squeeze on some of the funds available. Design experts from MoDOT are challenged with finding ways to keep the cost manageable while funding issues are sorted out.
The good news, though -- in terms of funding the project -- is that the state already owns much of the right-of-way that would be needed to carry out the project in this segment.
County roads will be connected with access to interchanges in some way; however, outer roads do not traverse the distance of the county. In some cases, residents will only have access via an outer road to an interchange north of their property; others may only have such access to an interchange north of their property.
Diamond interchanges are proposed at five locations in Vernon County; at Route D south of Sheldon, Route E, Route M at Compton Junction. Route D, and Route TT, with the length and positioning of outer roads varying. No changes are proposed in Nevada, because the highway is already constructed to interstate standards, with interchanges already in place.
Engineers from MoDOT at the hearing reported that there were some concerns voiced about access, but also many positive comments were voiced as well, both at Wednesday's meeting and at a similar meeting held in Butler on Tuesday.
Those attending were encouraged to comment on forms supplied by MoDOT for that purpose. Once the public input is gathered, engineers and designers from the department will evaluate the concerns and make an effort to incorporate any necessary changes identified through the comments wherever possible.
Maps of the projects are available at www.modot.
org/southwest; and residents can contact the Missouri Department of Transportation to comment or for more information by calling (800) 654-5428 or by e-mailing askdistrict7@modot.mo.gov.