Districts Impacted
Project Summary
The Missouri Department of Transportation is administering a project in partnership with Evergy, Inc. to improve the intersection of U.S. Route 71 and 340th Street in Nodaway County ahead of the construction of a new natural gas plant. During construction of the plant, an increase of approximately 400 vehicles per day is expected through the intersection.
To improve traffic flow, reduce crash points, and accommodate increased traffic, the recommendation is to replace the existing crossover with J-turns. With a J-turn, motorists will no longer cross multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic. Drivers at a J-turn intersection turn right in the same direction of traffic, merge into the passing lane, and then make a U-turn in the direction they intend to travel.
Project Timeline
MoDOT is working with Evergy, Inc and consultants from Burns & McDonnell to design a project to replace the crossover intersection at U.S. Route 71 and 340th Street with J-turns. The project is being funded by Evergy, Inc.
This phase includes project design, determining traffic control and public outreach.
Public Input Opportunity
MoDOT will offer three opportunities to receive community feedback regarding the intersection improvement project:
- An in-person public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 4-6 p.m. at the Maryville Public Safety Training Room (101 N. Vine Street, Maryville). This will be an open-house style meeting, and community members are welcome to drop by anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to speak with project experts and provide feedback. No formal presentation will be made.
- View the information on this webpage and utilize the form at the bottom of the page to submit your comments and/or sign up for project-specific updates. Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
- Mail your comments to:
Nodaway U.S. Route 71 Intersection Improvement
Missouri Department of Transportation
3602 North Belt Highway
St. Joseph, MO 64506
All comments must be postmarked by Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
We are committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation, or translation services, please contact NW District Communications at 816-901-4529 by Jan. 14, 2026.
The project will be let for contractor bidding in April 2026. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may award the contract at their May 2026 meeting.
Construction may begin as early as June 2026. A contracted completion date has not yet been determined, but the project is expected to take one construction season.
News Releases
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MoDOT to host public meeting on Nodaway County U.S. Route 71 intersection improvement project
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Transportation is administering a project in partnership with Evergy, Inc. to improve the intersection of U.S. Route 71 and 340th Street ahead of the construction of a new natural gas plant south of...
Learn About J-turns
The J-turn is an alternative to traditional roadway intersections on a four-lane highway. The point of these turns is to greatly reduce a significant number of severe crashes common when drivers must cross-over busy highways to reach another road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the road be closed?
No, U.S. Route 71 and 340th Street will remain open during construction. However, U.S. Route 71 will be narrowed to one lane, each direction. Travelers may experience delays during construction.
Will this project require any Right of Way?
No right of way is needed for this project.
How can I provide my feedback and stay updated on the project’s progress?
Use the form below provide feedback and to sign up for project-specific updates delivered directly to your email inbox.
Need more information?
We're here to help! If you're looking for additional information, you can contact us at:
- nwcr@modot.mo.gov
- 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888 275-6636) - reference Northwest District Caldwell Route D bridge replacement
- Sign up for eUpdates: Customer Service Signon (mo.gov)