US 71- MO 126 Interchange to Open

[US71]

MoDOT has announced the US 71/MO 126 interchange south of Lamar will open on June 30.

Details here:

http://www.modot.org/southwest/newsreleases/District7News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=56949

That's another piece of future I-49 completed 

[ShawnP]

Good news a bit ahead of sked..........will they truly close those access points with grading and new grass or just put up barriers. MODOT please don't do it on the cheap and do it the right way.

[US71]

Good news a bit ahead of sked..........will they truly close those access points with grading and new grass or just put up barriers. MODOT please don't do it on the cheap and do it the right way.

For now, at least, probably barriers like they have in several other places. Eventually, I'm sure, they will remove the crossovers completely.

[ShawnP]

I would have included as part of the Interchange funding. But foresight like that might not have been part of Pete's innovative design ways.

[US71]

I would have included as part of the Interchange funding. But foresight like that might not have been part of Pete's innovative design ways.

You'll be happy to know the crossroads in question are permanently closed at US 71: access has been totally removed on both sides of the intersections. This information has been field verified. 

[ShawnP]

Well saved me a trip........woulda been mad to see Jersey barriers.

[US71]

And in a follow-up, MoDOT has just announced the V/C Interchange will open July 16

http://www.modot.org/southwest/newsreleases/District7News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=57590

[ShawnP]

I will be a true road geek next week and do the picture thingy.

[US71]

I will be a true road geek next week and do the picture thingy.

I have a few pics of it still u/c, but haven't sorted them yet.

BTW: MoDOT says DD/EE will open in about 2 weeks.

[ShawnP]

All three southern one's should be open with a week or two as the last one is in the final stages of paving, signs and landscape. Like you said the access points were closed properly. One think MODOT has forgotten or isn't telling AAHSTO about it some substandard bridges that will need to replaced and or repaired. Most are small and easily done except one river bridge at Marias Des Cynges (sp?). Overall I-49 is very, very, very close to being done from Gregory Blvd south to the Bella Vista Bypass. Now since we are Road Geeks and have the answers to everything. Where are the rest areas going? I say south of Butler, between Peculiar and Harrisonville then a Welcome Center.

[US71]

Shawn: have looked at MoDOT's Safe and Sound project? It lists bridges that are in need of replacing.

Ironically, the MO 126 North Fork Spring River bridge was not replaced while the 126 interchange was under construction. That seems like poor planning.

[ShawnP]

Yes sometimes you wonder if two sides of the same office are talking at MODOT. However since I have bashed em enough over the Three Trials fiasco. I will go easy on em for now. I saw alot of substandard bridges with Safe Sound signs but not all of the substandard ones.

[ShawnP]

BTW North Cass Parkway is to open tommorow and just ready to have the barrels pulled to open her up.

[US71]

BTW North Cass Parkway is to open tommorow and just ready to have the barrels pulled to open her up.

I'm waiting for the ceremony marking the completion of 126/V C/DD EE. MoDOT says they will have one ceremony.  I have a brand new shirt I'm saving for that occasion

[ShawnP]

You really are a true road geek I am moving to Louisville so very few more trips down to Joplin for me.

[US71]

You really are a true road geek I am moving to Louisville so very few more trips down to Joplin for me.

Well, c'mon over to Cafe Press and grab some souvenirs

[ShawnP]

I look forward to Indiana as it's Major Moves road work is a Road Geeks paradise. Plus with the Louisville Bridges work coming up. I have no doubt that Indiana and Kentucky won't get it done as both states and the whole Louisville area badly need a new I-65 bridge and east end bridge plus both states already putting large amounts of money aside. The anti Toll folks will whine but the only way to finish both bridges is with tolls covering half the cost. Otherwise no new bridges and Louisville grinds to a halt because of one helluva bottle neck at downtown Louisville.

[US71]

That's 3!

US 71 interchange at DD/EE opens Saturday

http://www.modot.org/southwest/newsreleases/District7News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=58412

[ShawnP]

Looks like 52 east might be done by October 1st at the latest as they have gotten past the soil problems and are zooming along.