West Zora to be closed from Lone Elm Road to Schifferdecker

(From the City of Joplin)

Starting Monday, September 9, West Zora Avenue will be closed from Lone Elm Road to Schifferdecker Avenue, due to the work on the Turkey Creek bridge project. 

This closure is planned for approximately three weeks as grading work is completed to bring Zora Avenue to the new roadway elevation. 

This bridge replaces the former bridge that flooded during significant rainfall, causing the closure of Schifferdecker Avenue to through traffic.

During this construction closure, North Schifferdecker Avenue and Peace Church Road will remain open and drivers will be detoured from traveling east on Zora Avenue. 

Northbound drivers will turn west at the end of Schifferdecker Avenue and travel north on Peace Church Road. Travelers from the north on Peace Church Road will be detoured to southbound Schifferdecker Ave. Signage for the closures will be in place to alert drivers.

This $2.45 million bridge project is a partnership between the City of Joplin, Jasper County and the Joplin Special Road District. 

The Jasper County Commission will fund up to $1.4 million of project costs, including engineering fees and property acquisition, and $100,000 will be paid by the Jasper County Special Road District. The City will pay the remainder of the project through the 3/8-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax, renewed by voters in 2014.

Hartman & Company is the contractor for the project, with Allgeier Martin and Associates serving as the engineering consultant. The bridge is located on North Schifferdecker where it connects with West Zora Street. This new bridge construction is necessary to meet future traffic needs in the northern section of Joplin.