The Missouri Department of Transportation is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 6, to discuss the East Sunshine Street Corridor Project, which includes plans to put raised medians on some parts of the roadway.
Business owners and elected officials have previously expressed concern over the economic impact medians — which would limit left turns into some businesses — could have on the corridor.
Public input prompted MoDOT to scale back on its original plans, but traffic engineers maintain that medians are needed to improve safety on what has become a very busy and dangerous stretch of Springfield road.
In addition to medians, the $10.7 million East Sunshine improvement project includes upgrades to traffic signals and intersections, removal of some driveways, sidewalk replacement and other pedestrian improvements.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, and is estimated to last about two years, according to previous reporting. The project area stretches from Glenstone Avenue to a spot just east of Blackman Road.
Roadwork is expected to, at times, close driving lanes and turn lanes, narrow lanes and shift traffic, result in occasional delays with high traffic volumes. At times, drivers will need to take alternate routes, according to MoDOT.
The “come-and-go” meeting will take place at the Schweitzer Church Student Center, located at 2701 E. Sunshine St., from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 6. The meeting will not consist of a formal presentation; attendees can view exhibits, ask questions and leave comments.
Those unable to attend in-person can leave comments by visiting the MoDOT Southwest District website, or by calling the district office at (417) 895-7600. More information on the East Sunshine Street Corridor Project can be found here.
