From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
The Southwest District of the Missouri Department of Transportation will be the host for three public meetings this month for discussion of plans to convert U.S. Highway 71 into Interstate 49.
Highway 71 has been built to interstate standards between Interstate 44 at Joplin to an area south of Pineville. But the portion between Interstate 44 and Kansas City will have to be upgraded in order to receive an interstate designation.
Work would include eliminating all at-grade intersections and replacing them with 13 interchanges. The early estimate of the cost for upgrading Highway 71 is $200 million.
Public meetings are scheduled as follows.
n Tuesday, Oct. 14, 4 to 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Butler High School, 420 S. Fulton St., Butler.
n Wednesday, Oct. 15, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Nevada Community Center, 200 N. Ash St., Nevada.
n Thursday, Oct. 16, 4 to 7 p.m. at Thiebaud Auditorium in Lamar.
The meetings will be informal. Details: (888) ASK-MODOT.
