It won’t be long now before some important improvements come to Madison Street between Sunset Creek and 13th Street in Webb City.

I have been asked why I pay attention to Madison Street. Range Line Road becomes Madison when it enters Webb City. The name changes, but it’s still the same road. Anyway, I like Webb City, and that’s reason enough.

More importantly, Madison has seen a lot of business development in recent years, and there’s no indication that trend is slowing. It’s a hot spot. Recognizing that, the city and the Missouri Department of Transportation are trying to get ahead of the curve in planning for the future.

The intersection at Madison and MacArthur Drive (Highway 171) handles about 23,000 vehicles per day. That number is expected to grow to 33,000 per day in 20 years. There’s no doubt that will happen, and probably sooner than later.

Chuck Surface, head of economic development in Webb City, said: “We have known for quite some time that traffic is going to increase tremendously. We want to get out in front of that problem.

“We also have safety issues. The intersection at 13th Street, where the Wal-Mart is, that’s our No. 1 accident site. We need to make that intersection safer and wider.”

Last week, MoDOT unveiled its improvement plan. At Madison and MacArthur, expanded turn lanes will be added. A signal will be installed at Madison and Seventh streets. Seventh Street west of that intersection will be realigned. At Madison and 13th streets, a wider turning radius and other safety improvements are planned.

North of MacArthur, the city will widen the Sunset Creek bridge to match the width of the new roadway.

The city will acquire the necessary right of way and provide funding for at least half of the project costs, and will assume all of the costs associated with widening Sunset Creek bridge. Voters recently approved a $5.7 million bond issue for the work. Funding also will come from the creation of a Transportation Development District not unlike the one that was created to fund the new interchange at 17th Street and Range Line Road in Joplin.

The district will be a taxing entity that will help pay the construction costs through a sales tax of up to 1 percent. It will be assessed by businesses within a specific area.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission will take up the matter in January. If the plan gets the OK, the city will start purchasing right of way to get the project moving.

To its credit, Webb City has laid a foundation for this one stone at a time over a period of years. It has been slow going, but it shows what a few determined and forward-thinking people can achieve. That’s just one of the many reasons I like Webb City. No wonder the town’s slogan is: “We Love It Here.”

Winefeast

It’s kind of pricey, but the cause is worth it.

The 20th Winefeast will be held Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Joplin. Winefeast is a fundraising project for Ozarks Public Television, which brings educational and historical programming to 57 counties and a potential audience of 1.6 million people.

The principal station and broadcast studios for Ozarks Public Television, KOZK, are in Springfield. There’s a satellite station, KOZJ, in Joplin. Winefeast is KOZJ’s largest annual fundraising event.

Ozarks Public Television provides programming that I often find interesting. An example is a program that will air Jan. 10 on “Ozarks Watch.” It’s about the Jasper County Courthouse. The program will give you perspective and a timely glimpse into our architectural past. It underscores why support for public television is so important.

Sunday’s event begins with a Spotlight on Wine and special foods by the Holiday Inn’s executive chef, Scott Teal. That takes place from 12:15 to 2 p.m. Tickets are $60 in advance.

Winefeast 2009 takes place from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, and may be purchased at Community Bank and Trust locations. Tickets at the door are $35. If you purchase the $60 Spotlight on Wine ticket, you are covered for Winefeast.

Participants may sip and sample from more than 60 wines, and taste the best foods from the area’s finest restaurants and caterers. Details: 417-782-7222.

Doomsday

The Mayan calendar, as you probably have heard by now, ends on Dec. 21, 2012. Some people believe that means the world will end on that date. So, for you party people out there, that means you have 1,130 days left to live it up — like there’s no tomorrow.

If you have news about something happening on Range Line Road, dial 417-623-3480, ext. 7250; or send an e-mail to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at 417-623-8598.