Joplin's Missouri Route 66 (7th Street) is undergoing a series of pavement, sidewalk, traffic, and safety improvements, with active construction continuing this week. Drivers should note that access to all businesses along the corridor will be maintained during hours of operation, and at least one lane of Route 66 (7th Street) will remain open in both directions.
For the week of September 21, the prime contractor, D&E Plumbing & Heating LLC of Nixa, is focused on installing new storm sewer infrastructure on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Florida Avenue and Ozark Avenue. Additionally, the contractor is engaged in pavement replacement for the north half of this same section of 7th Street. Florida Avenue is currently closed on both sides of Route 66 (7th Street) to accommodate this pavement replacement, new traffic signal infrastructure installation, and a temporary traffic shift. The contractor is also coordinating with utility providers to complete the traffic signal installation at Florida Avenue.
The City of Joplin is also carrying out significant work related to the project. City crews are relocating sanitary sewer lines on Kentucky Avenue, located north of Route 66 (7th Street). Planning is underway for night work to install a pipe crossing under Route 66 (7th Street) at Kentucky Avenue. Furthermore, City of Joplin crews are installing a new section of sidewalk on the south side of Route 66 (7th Street), specifically east of Ozark Avenue.
Several utility companies are actively involved in relocation and upgrade efforts to support the overall improvements. Missouri American Water crews are relocating water lines and performing tie-in work on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street. Additional water line relocation work by Missouri American Water is occurring on the south side of 7th Street between Kentucky Avenue and Grand Avenue. The company is also completing 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.
Other utility partners include Liberty Electric, which is planning for upcoming utility relocation work on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between St. Louis Avenue and Murphy Boulevard. AT&T is planning excavation work in the alley situated between Pearl Avenue and Wall Avenue. Bluebird Fiber crews are replacing a pull box at Highview Avenue, while Lumen Fiber crews are relocating utilities at Florida Avenue, north of Route 66 (7th Street). Sparklight crews are planning the relocation of overhead lines at the intersection of Route 66 (7th Street) and Florida Avenue.
This extensive project aims to make comprehensive improvements along the entire Route 66 (7th Street) corridor in Joplin, stretching from Jasper County Route P (Schifferdecker Avenue) to Loop 49 (Range Line Road). As part of this contract, the pavement will be rebuilt, sidewalks will be brought up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and several traffic signals along the corridor will be upgraded and replaced. The overall contract has a completion date of December 1, 2028. Drivers are advised to watch for signs and message boards that will alert them to approaching work zones. Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.
Included within the same contract is a separate project to rehabilitate the Oak Street bridge over I-49 in Carthage, which is anticipated to begin in 2027.
