It’s taken decades to transform one of Missouri’s main transportation corridors — U.S. 71 — to Interstate 49.
But history was finally made Wednesday in Joplin when Interstate 49 between Kansas City and Pineville in Missouri became official.
A number of state and national figures, including U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and Victor Mendez, head of the Federal Highway Administration in Washington, D.C., were on hand during a ceremony held in the gymnasium of the Joplin East Middle School, which has been relocated to the Crossroads Industrial Park in the aftermath of the May 2011 tornado.
Out on the highway, I-49 signs were being uncovered to face traffic.
It was especially gratifying that Mel Walbridge, of Joplin, was recognized for the role he has played since 1986 in pushing this project. His voice and influence helped get the job done.
U.S. 71 along the western edge of Missouri south of Kansas City — a distance of 185 miles — has been upgraded to interstate highway standards, with new interchanges, overpasses and outer roads.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, planning for the final series of projects was begun in the late 1980s, with construction beginning in the early 1990s and continuing through 2012. The cost reached nearly $500 million.
Highway officials in Arkansas and Louisiana also are working to complete Interstate 49 in their states. The first section of highway designated as I-49 was in 1984 in Louisiana.
Taken together, Interstate 49 south of Kansas City and Interstate 29 north of Kansas City will cover 1,630 miles of highway. The interstate corridor will link Gulf Coast ports with south-central Canada near Winnepeg.
Safer traveling and improved transportation routes are two of the most important benefits of the completion of I-49. Business expansion is also expected in communities near the interstate.
Drivers will also be able to get to their destinations in less time.
Wednesday’s ceremony was a milestone for the community, as well as all of those traveling through the heart of America.
Opinion
Our View: I-49 a community milestone
- Opinion
-
-
Other Views: Still inspiring
Cutbacks in the military budget and the still-recovering economy mean this Memorial Day weekend will go down as a relatively subdued affair — relative, that is, to our usual end-of-school, official-start-of-summer blowout.
-
Our View: Setting standard
The sight of hundreds of young student volunteers walking across Moore’s Fourth Street interstate overpass had to be uplifting to the city’s tornado victims.
-
Our View: Safer schools
Being able to see for ourselves what would have happened to our children had they been standing in the main hall of their schools during the May 22, 2011, tornado had a profound effect on our understanding of safe schools.
-
Marilyn Beasley, guest columnist: Claiming responsibility for abuse of power
Over the past few months we’ve witnessed the abuse of power by President Barack Obama and his administration.
-
Our View: ‘Why?’ has no answer
Just hours before, there was breakfast and laughter. There were pictures on the walls and memories in every room.
-
Our View: Absent from House
We can’t figure out why two Missouri legislators think they should be elected to the U.S. House when it appears they can’t seem to show up to take care of business in the Missouri House.
-
Your View: Terrible injustice
I see this Jasper County nuisance law as a terrible injustice on the rights of the residents of Jasper County.
-
Your View: Should we be outraged?
Were there effusive apologies following the lockdown of Boston as most of the continent indulged vicariously in the ongoing manhunt?
-
Your View: Terrorism is terrorism
In the May 13 issue of The Joplin Globe there was an Associated Press article concerning the New Orleans shooting.
-
Phill Brooks, columnist: Missouri Senate did what Founding Fathers had in mind
George Washington once described the Senate as being like a saucer in which you pour coffee or tea.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Other Views: Still inspiring
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
