Participants in today’s unveiling of the nation’s newest addition to the interstate highway system — Interstate 49 from Pineville to Kansas City — said they felt like they were “making history.’’
That history was 50 years in the making, according to U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R. Mo., who spoke at the unveiling ceremony in the gymnasium of Joplin East Middle School.
“This is now a great moment for our state — and for the western part of the state,’’ he said.
Noting that he had worked with legislative colleagues in Arkansas and Louisiana to keep the Interstate 49 project alive with earmark spending, Blunt said, “What was a national priority has become a national reality.’’
Also speaking was Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez who toured Joplin’s tornado zone before the unveiling ceremony.
“I am honored to be here today. It’s really amazing what you have done in a year and a half,’’ he said, noting that Joplin’s recovery, like the transition of U.S. Highway 71 into Interstate 49, is an example of what can happen when people work together in partnerships.
That partnership, he said, is continuing with the recent announcement of $12 million in federal highway TIGER grants to Joplin for the construction of overpasses.
The upgrade of U.S. Highway 71 to Interstate 49 in Missouri cost $313 million. The federal contribution was $250 million, he said.
Also today and through the rest of the week, Missouri Department of Transportation and contractor crews will be uncovering and turning I-49 signs in every county along the corridor from Kansas City to Pineville.
Top Stories
Related Photos
-
Victor Mendez, Federal Highway Administration administrator, speaks about the future of I-49 Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2012, during an unveiling ceremony titled "Making HIstory I-49" at the temporary Joplin East Middle School in the Crossroads Industrial Park. The I-49 mural behind him was created by middle school students.
Discussion
New interstate makes history in Missouri
- Top Stories
-
-
Joplin to New Orleans bike tour to raise money for disaster victims
Louis Niewald will travel 800 miles on a bicycle next month, pedaling from Joplin to New Orleans. He’ll have a lot to think about along the way. Niewald was returning to Joplin on May 22, 2011, when sirens sounded and an EF-5 tornado began grinding its way across the city.
-
Joplin photo rescue effort gears up to help Moore storm victims
A photo rescue operation based in Carthage that helped salvage and return thousands of pictures after the 2011 tornado in Joplin is reaching out to storm victims in Moore, Okla.
-
Events, activities to honor veterans planned in Joplin area on Monday
No Memorial Day ceremonies are planned at Joplin cemeteries this year or at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, but a number of other events are scheduled in cities around the region.
-
Area pools ready for plunge; Schifferdecker opening still to be announced
Though this week’s mild temperatures may not signal swim season, most area pools are ready anyway. And, the mercury should rise a little this weekend to help those anxious to dive in. Highs will be in the low 80s today and Sunday. There is a chance for isolated thunderstorms on Monday, but the thermometer should hit 82 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
-
Joplin School Board decision could take up to two weeks; Turner remains on paid leave
It could take up two weeks for the Joplin Board of Education to decide whether Randy Turner’s teaching contract should be terminated, the school district’s attorney, John Nicholas, said Friday.
-
Joplin insurance agent seeks donations for Moore, Okla.
After losing an office building and her home in the tornado on May 22, 2011, Loretta Bailey is familiar with the destruction that a tornado brings. The 400 households that her insurance agency helped through the aftermath of the tornado also know that loss. \
-
Families, friends invited to honor veterans with flags this weekend
Small lengths of plastic pipe have been installed behind the headstones of veterans graves in Joplin cemeteries so that every veteran will have a flag on Memorial Day.
-
Events, activities planned to honor veterans Monday
No ceremonies are planned at Joplin cemeteries this year or at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, but a number of other events are scheduled in cities around the region.
-
Joplin Board of Education to decide fate of East Middle School teacher
After hearing nearly 10 hours of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses and accepting more than 45 exhibits into evidence, members of the Joplin Board of Education voted to move behind closed doors Thursday night to decide whether Randy Turner, a communication arts teacher at East Middle School, will continue to teach.
-
Memorial Day travelers bemoan high gas prices
Norm Hayward and his wife, Claudia, have a couple of things going for them as they continue their increasingly expensive motor home trip around parts of the United States. For starters, the Phoenix, Ariz., couple are saving on hotel costs.
- More Top Stories Headlines
-
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
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
