Joplin man, Carthage man injured in accident near Neosho

Two men were injured in a one-vehicle accident 4:15 p.m. today on Mulberry, two miles west of Neosho.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Derrik R. Swoboda, 26, Neosho, left the roadway, struck a utility pole, overturned and struck a fence. Swoboda and a passenger, Brad L. Loomer, 24, Joplin, were ejected from the vehicle. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

Swoboda and Loomer were taken to Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, with moderate injuries.

Lane closure planned for Jackson Ave. next week

(From City of Joplin)

Effective Monday, July 7, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 7:00 p.m., there will be a lane closure on Jackson Ave. from 35th St. to 33rd St. Crews will be working on street repairs.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for new Sunshine Lamp Trolley

(From the City of Joplin)

Members of the Joplin City Council and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors joined citizens in a ribbon-cutting ceremony today in recognition of the City’s new Sunshine Lamp Trolley. Following the event, attendees were welcomed on board the new trolley for a celebratory ride from the Public Library to Joplin City Hall.

This new trolley replaces the original Sunshine Lamp Trolley which was placed into operation in July 2007. Since giving its ceremonial first ride along Main Street from the Joplin Public Library to the Newman Building, this trolley has traveled more than 198,000 miles and provided over 226,934 rides. This trolley became a fixture on the Blue Route and served as a public ambassador for our trolley service to Joplin residents and out of town visitors driving along Range Line Road, 7th Street, MSSU, and Downtown Joplin.

The new Sunshine Lamp Trolley is a heavy duty model, an El Dorado EZ-Rider II, designed specifically for use on daily bus routes with modern transit enhancements such as a low floor, wheel chair entrance/exit ramps at both the front and rear doors, air-ride suspension system, and three wheel chair securement areas. Although it’s equipped with modern features needed for a busy transit system, the solid oak wooden benches, brass handrails with leather straps, expanded seating for thirty-six passengers, and iconic brass bell, it has all the classic charm that made the old trolley a community favorite.

Many utilize the Sunshine Lamp Trolley service for transportation throughout the year. In 2013, Joplin’s trolley service provided 104,500 rides. Annual ridership has increased 550% since its first full year of service in 2008. The Sunshine Lamp Trolley provides an average of 8,700 rides per month.

“Public transportation has increased throughout these past seven years,” said Robert Lolley, Public Transit Coordinator. “We initially started the trolley service with one route, and the hope of providing 50 rides per day. Today we operate three routes, have trolley stops at 54 locations throughout Joplin, and provide an average of 30 rides per hour.”

The new trolley was funded through a Federal Transportation Administration grant which provided 80% of the $390,115 purchase price. The remaining 20% was funded through the Joplin Transportation Sales Tax.

Lane closures planned next week on Schifferdecker

(From the City of Joplin)

Intermittent Lane Closures will occur on Schifferdecker Avenue between 7th & 32nd on Monday, July 7, 2014 and will continue through Friday, July 11, 2014 from Daylight to Dark. Lane closures in this area are due to paving for the Schifferdecker Widening Project.

Drivers may expect rough spots at various locations due to the need to do milling ahead of the paving. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution in this area.

The date of this lane closure may change due to weather conditions.

If you have any questions, please call the Engineering Department at 624-0820, ext. 530

Update provided on 171/43 roundabout construction

(From MODOT)

Route 43/Route 171 Roundabout Construction

Update for Week of July 7, 2014

No Work Scheduled July 4 Weekend. Work Resumes 9 a.m., Monday, July 7. Work scheduled: Installing road signs Setting poles for street lights Grading shoulders Building entrances Traffic Impacts: Daytime work only expected this week At least one lane of traffic open in each direction at all times Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule. Coming the week of July 14 Work is scheduled to begin shifting traffic to the roundabout configuration the week of July 14. Crews will work around the clock for the next several days. During that time, at least one lane of traffic will remain open at all times. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to find alternate routes during the work. Project Background: Build two-lane roundabout at Route 171/Route 43 intersection in Airport Drive Widen Route 171 to five-lanes (two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane) between Route 43 to just east of Fir Road Prime Contractor: APAC, Springfield Completion Date: August 28, 2014 Construction Cost: $2.6 million

Carthage man, Greenfield woman injured in deer-motorcycle collision

Two people were injured in a deer-motorcycle collision 9:50 p.m. Wednesday on MO 97, five miles north of Pierce City.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1999 Yamaha Road Star motorcycle driven by Mark A. Gideon, 50, Carthage, struck a deer. Gideon and a passenger, Carla M. Willoughby, 39, Greenfield, were ejected from the motorcycle.

Gideon suffered minor injuries, while Willoughby had moderate injuries. Both were taken to Mercy Hospital in Aurora.

Neosho man injured in crash near Granby

A Neosho man was injured in a one-vehicle crash 1:45 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 60 one mile east of Granby.

According to the Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet Blazer driven by Dale E. Moore, 49, ran off the road and overturned several times, ejecting Moore.

Moore was taken to Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, with serious injuries.