DISTRICT 8, SPRINGFIELD - A contractor crew is pushing hard to complete the reconstruction work along Hines Street on the NORTH side of U.S. 60/413 in Republic and to reopen the street by the time the school year starts on August 18, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
Republic High School is located on Hines Street north of where the street is closed. Hines Street can be accessed along city streets north of the highway.
Hines Street is closed for reconstruction where it approaches U.S. 60/Route 413 which is being widened through the city.
The week of August 2, concrete will be poured to widen the approach and crews will build curb and gutter along Hines Street between the highway and Republic High School.
Other side-street openings or closings:
* Logan Street on the SOUTH side of the highway is re-opened to traffic.
* Harrison Street is closed on the SOUTH side of the highway, but could be re-opened to traffic by the end of the week.
* Lee and Hampton streets on the SOUTH side are scheduled to be closed sometime during the week. The city street approaches will be rebuilt.
* The Donna Street entrance on the SOUTH side is being rebuilt. Drivers are using a temporary bypass to enter and leave the neighborhood.
Crews will rebuild the shoulders of U.S. 60/Route 413 west of West Avenue. During the shoulder work, the speed limit on the highway will be reduced to 35 mph around the clock because the work will be very close to traffic.
Other work during the week of August 2 will take place AWAY from traffic:
* Crews will build new curbs, rebuild entrances and pour concrete to widen the road along the SOUTH side of the highway between Elm Street and Route P/Main Avenue.
* On the NORTH side, crews will build curb in various locations.
Week of August 9
Besides Hines Street being closed on the NORTH side of the highway, other construction activities along U.S. 60/Route 413 the week of August 2 will include:
* Morningside Avenue, Mill Street and Maple Street will be closed on the SOUTH side of the highway to rebuild the city street approaches.
* Crews will build new curbs on the SOUTH side of U.S. 60/413 west of Elm Street -- AWAY from traffic.
* Work will continue on curb construction along the NORTH side of the highway -- AWAY from traffic.
Early Heads Up: During the week of August 16, Route P (on the SOUTH side of the highway) will be closed for several days to rebuild the approach, relocate utilities, install drain pipes and install new traffic signals and street lighting.
Rain will cause delays in the project.
No night work is scheduled for the weeks of August 2 and 9.
Drivers can expect bumps to remain at some city street approaches that have been rebuilt until they can be paved next spring.
When workers are present on the job, the U.S. 60/Route 413 speed limit is reduced to 35 mph.
Drivers are urged to slow down through the work zone and watch for cars turning slowly into driveways that may be half closed.
Giving Advance Warning
MoDOT and its contractors will continue to work closely with city officials and businesses and others directly affected when planning the street closings.
Emergency service agencies and dispatchers are being notified when streets are closed so that responders can plan alternate routes, he said.
Background
The prime contractor on the $6.1-million widening project along U.S.60/Route 413 in Republic is Journagan Construction of Springfield. Some sewer and water line work is being done by the City of Republic, a partner with MoDOT on the project.
The project involves adding a lane in each direction and rebuilding city street approaches and driveway entrances between Hines Street and West Avenue, with work continuing into the fall. The highway will be resurfaced through Republic's city limits in the spring of 2005 after the weather warms up.
