Drivers face multiple closures and construction zones across the Joplin area
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Drivers across the Joplin area will face several construction zones and road closures in October, including work on Zora Street and Seventh Street in Joplin and a highway closure in Seneca.
Zora Street closure
A well-traveled portion of Zora Street will be closed during daytime hours on weekdays throughout October as crews relocate and upgrade gas lines.
The closure begins Monday, Oct. 5, between Range Line Road and Duquesne Road. The road will reopen each evening.
Local traffic will be accommodated, but through traffic will not be allowed through the work zone.
Spire Gas is completing the utility work ahead of the third phase of the Zora Street Improvement Project. The gas line work is expected to take about four weeks.
Officials said a full daytime closure is being used because the hilly terrain can limit visibility for drivers and create safety concerns around crews.
Route 43 closure in Seneca
Drivers in Newton County will face another complete closure later in the month.
Missouri Route 43, also known as Cherokee Avenue, will close at a railroad crossing in Seneca from Monday, Oct. 12, through Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The highway will be closed around the clock between Oneida Street and Newton County Route K, or Frisco Street, while railroad crews repair the crossing.
Drivers will still be able to reach homes and businesses on either side of the work zone but will not be able to travel through the closure.
No signed detour will be provided, and drivers will need to find alternate routes.
Weather or scheduling conflicts could affect construction timelines.
Route 66 work continues on Seventh Street
Construction also continues along Missouri Route 66, or Seventh Street, as part of a $61.6 million improvement project stretching from Schifferdecker Avenue to Range Line Road.
Crews are working on storm sewers, pavement replacement, traffic signals and utility relocations at several locations.
Florida Avenue remains closed on both sides of Seventh Street for pavement replacement, traffic signal work and a temporary traffic shift.
Crews are also replacing pavement between McConnell and Ozark avenues, while utility relocation work continues at several points along the corridor.
The city plans nighttime sanitary sewer work at Kentucky Avenue beginning Monday, Oct. 5, along with intermittent daytime traffic shifts between Pennsylvania and Kentucky avenues.
At least one lane of Seventh Street will remain open in each direction, and access to businesses will be maintained during operating hours.
The Route 66 project is scheduled for completion by Dec. 1, 2028.
