Public meeting to focus on construction of low water bridge over Shoal Creek

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin is moving forward on the construction phase of the new bridge over Shoal Creek, located near Glendale Road and Jackson Avenue. An open house public meeting for area property owners to meet representatives of Hartman & Company, the construction contractor for the project, has been set for Thursday, December 13. It will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the 5th Floor Study of Joplin City Hall, 602 S. Main Street. Parking is located on the west side of City Hall and you are asked to enter through the west entrance. This entrance is also ADA accessible.

The engineering consultant, Allgeier Martin and Associates, will be available with the final design plans and to address any questions. Representatives from Hartman and Company will provide information on the construction schedule, plans for traffic control during the project and to answer any other questions pertaining to the project. Citizens are encouraged to stop by any time during these hours to view the plans and ask questions about the upcoming project.

As a reminder, the project consists of the construction of a new bridge in the general vicinity of South Jackson and Glendale Road. The project will be funded through the 3/8 cent City of Joplin Capital Improvement Sales Tax, renewed by voters in 2014, in addition to Newton County Bridge Replacement Off-System (BRO) funds.

Following the completion of the new bridge, the existing low water bridge will be converted to a pedestrian walkway connecting to the existing trails in McIndoe Park. In late summer of 2016, the City of Joplin decided to allow the original bridge to remain intact and to locate a new bridge closer to the I-44 bridges. On October 2, 2017, the Joplin City Council gave unanimous approval to designate the Low Water Bridge as a Joplin Historic Landmark. The original 1919 bridge will continue to carry traffic during the construction of the new bridge, and afterwards, will likely be made into a "pedestrian-only" amenity to McIndoe Park.

If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to discuss the project, please contact one of us listed below. You may reach me at 417-624-0820, ext. 538, email djohnso1@joplinmo.org or Paul Zerkel at 417-624-0820, ext. 598 or pzerkel@joplinmo.org.