On Oct. 26, a Globe letter to the editor ran a letter from a man who referred to Highway 71’s four-lane extension from Fidelity Corners south to Neosho a few years ago. He wrote: “Why did they not follow the existing route south where the Missouri Department of Transportation had already purchased right of way?”
The final decision was based upon politics rather than sound engineering. The Joplin business community had mounted a very powerful lobby that insisted the highway needed to run west to Joplin’s back door before turning south. Their theory was, “more business for Joplin.” There was one irony involved in their suggestion, which was never ever considered within their negotiations with MoDOT. There was already a direct route into Joplin via Highway 71 Alternate, which came in through Webb City to North Range Line.
The Joplin businessmen wanted us to believe that the primary purpose for Highway 71’s existence was to channel potential customers into Joplin. In fact, a letter submitted to the Globe’s Voices at that time by a Joplin resident seems to represent the views of the other members on the committee. He wrote: “Why would we want to build a road out through open country that does no one any good?”
Ultimately, the committee’s persuasive powers overrode the common sense of good engineering, leaving the taxpayers with a longer route and hefty increase in cost.
Donald Rice
Neosho
