Relocation, roundabout planned for Missouri Route 171/Route 96 intersection

A project to relocate the intersection at Missouri Route 171/Route 96 and Jasper County Route YY to improve safety is the focus of a public meeting on Thursday, November 7, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The plans call for relocating the intersection to the east and to convert the intersection to a multi-lane roundabout. In addition, an approximately 14-mile stretch of Route 171 between the Missouri/Kansas state line and Fir Road will be resurfaced.

The come-and-go style meeting will be held 4:30-6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, at Carl Junction High School in the Commons Area, 206 South Roney Street, Carl Junction.

No Formal Presentation is planned. Those who attend may come at any time between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to learn about the project and ask questions.

For those unable to attend the in-person meeting, an online public meeting will be available and will go “live” on Thursday afternoon. The same displays for the project used during the in-person meeting will be posted to the online meeting at www.modot.org/southwest.

The existing intersection is located immediately adjacent to the Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroad tracks which parallel Missouri Route 171. Vehicles, especially large semis and farm equipment, approaching from the west on Jasper County Route YY often must sit across the railroad tracks while waiting for a gap in traffic on Route 171, causing a significant safety concern for both the traveling public and KCS trains. The project will increase the space between the railroad tracks and Route 171, improving safety.

For much of the construction of the new intersection and roundabout, drivers will be able to travel along the existing roads. However, at times it will be necessary to close the roads. At those times, drivers will be directed to use signed detours along Missouri Route 43 and Jasper County Routes KK, YY and Z.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2021