Ozark, Christian County – Work on a project to widen South Street (Business 65) on the southern edge of Ozark has been delayed due to the need to relocate utility lines that were unknown during project planning, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
To give the prime contractor enough time to complete the road widening project, the completion date has been moved from early November 2019 until mid-April 2020. The extended completion time allows the contractor to maximize warmer temperatures in spring 2020 to complete asphalt paving and pavement striping which must be done when temperatures are consistently warmer.
Hartman and Company, the prime contractor, had been pursuing the widening project until complications arose when crews ran into utility lines that were unaccounted for. No further construction work can take place until all of the lines are moved out of the way of the roadway project.
Drivers will not see widening work taking place on the project until later this summer, possibly not until August, when contractor crews can get full access to the project.
When work resumes, drivers can expect crews and equipment close to traffic. However, any work to reduce travel lanes will be done at lower traffic volume times including nighttime hours.
Drivers are urged to continue using caution in the area.
The project is a partnership between the city of Ozark and MoDOT.
Project highlights:
- Widen South Street (Business 65) to five lanes between 19th Street and 6th Street
- Widen intersection of South Street/Selmore Road/3rd Street by adding dual turn lanes from northbound Selmore Road to westbound South Street and from southbound 3rd Street to eastbound South Street and adding two eastbound and two westbound through lanes
- Install new storm drains and add curb and gutter along South Street
- Build sidewalks in areas along South Street
- Estimated total project cost: $8.5 million
- Prime contractor: Hartman & Company, Inc. of Springfield
- Completion: April 2020
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(For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest)
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