West side of 20th and Main intersection to be closed beginning July 24

(From the City of Joplin)

Recovery work continues in rebuilding Main Street, and starting July 24, the west side of the 20th Street and Main Street intersection will be closed. This closure impacts the east and westbound traffic on 20th Street. Main Street will not be closed, however the north and southbound lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

The closure will direct drivers traveling west on 20th Street to turn left or right at Main Street, and eastbound traffic on 20th Street will detour onto Joplin Avenue or Wall Avenue and drive a short distance to gain access to Main Street. The Joplin Avenue detour takes drivers south to 26th Street to gain access to Main Street, and the Wall Avenue detour goes north to 15th Street for Main Street access.

This portion of 20th Street is anticipated to be closed for two weeks as part of the Main Street improvement project. This closure is necessary for the west side rebuilding of this highly traveled intersection at 20th & Main Street.

Following this intersection completion, the contractor will move to 15th Street and execute the same type of closure with similar traffic patterns as the detours. Please note that the Joplin and Wall detours will gain access at 20th Street and 10th Street respectively for access onto and across Main. Additional notifications will be sent prior to the closure of 15th and Main Street intersection.

For questions about the Main Street rebuilding project, contact Jack Schaller with Olsson Associates, at 417-781-0643.

Funding for this project is through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program. Completion is anticipated for December 2017, except for specialized work in the intersections along Main: 26th, 20th and 15th. This work will be completed in Spring 2018 so the asphalt pavement can cure prior to placing a colorized terra cotta in the crosswalks as a method to alert drivers to pedestrians. City engineers noted that this is an effective way to call attention to the area, without a lot of added cost.

The City appreciates your patience while this work is being done.