Residents, business owners, and commuters are encouraged to attend an upcoming Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) public meeting regarding the Missouri Routes 171/249 Corridor Study and the proposed Joplin West Corridor Study.
The public meeting will be held Tuesday, July 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Carthage Water & Electric Plant Community Room, 627 W. Centennial Avenue in Carthage. A second meeting will be held in Joplin on July 23, and a virtual public meeting is also available online.
The study is examining how the existing Routes 171/249 corridor and the proposed Joplin West Corridor can meet the region's long-term transportation needs while improving safety, mobility, connectivity, and economic development opportunities throughout Jasper and Newton counties.
Attendees will have the opportunity to review project information, ask questions, and provide feedback. The meetings will be conducted in an open-house format with no formal presentation, allowing participants to come and go at their convenience during the meeting hours.
Areas of focus for the study include:
Safety conditions
Roadway operations
Future traffic projections
Local and regional connectivity
Economic impact
The study area includes the existing Route 171/249 corridor between Joplin and Carthage, as well as a proposed new Joplin West Corridor extending from Interstate 44 near the Missouri-Oklahoma state line to the Route 171/Route 96/Route YY area north of Carl Junction.
According to MoDOT, no funding has been identified or allocated for future construction projects at this time. The current effort is a planning study designed to evaluate future transportation opportunities and regional growth needs.
Individuals who are unable to attend an in-person public meeting may participate through the virtual public meeting, which includes the same information and displays available at the open houses. Public comments will be accepted through August 13 by mail, email, or online submission. Materials from the in-person meetings, including the comment form and corridor questionnaires, can be accessed online at the MoDOT Route 171/249 Joplin West Corridor Study page.
Community members are encouraged to review the study materials and provide feedback to help inform future transportation improvements and planning efforts within the corridor. Every comment received will help guide the development of recommendations for the project area. Direct link to the Routes 171/249 survey
For questions, contact MoDOT's Southwest District Office at 417-895-7600.