U.S. Highway 71 from Kansas City to past Joplin to become Interstate 49 in December

[pstokely]

Last edited Tue Sep 4, 2012, 11:23 AM - Edit history (2)

http://www.kctv5.com/story/19444170/us-highway-71-to-become-i-49

"
The revamp of a 180-mile stretch of Highway 71 from just south of Interstate 435 all the way past Joplin is a plan that's been decades in the making.

The project includes several new overpasses and interchanges in Cass, Bates, Vernon and Barton counties - eliminating at-grade crossings, meaning those without overpasses or underpasses, and making it safer for drivers. One new overpass now safely carries drivers across Highway 71 south of Harrisonville.

"By eliminating those grade crossings it becomes a safer highway. You no longer have those conflict points where you have a potential for accidents," Sean Matlock with the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The transformation is more than just a name change, MoDOT said in their release. In order to be classified as an interstate, a route must meet strict requirements. Because no at-grade intersections, meaning those without overpasses or underpasses, are allowed on an interstate, several interchanges were either built or are being built. MoDOT said intersections with ramps and overpasses are much safer than those that occur without overpasses or underpasses and they virtually eliminate T-bone-type crashes.
"

[DURHAM D]

1. Does this belong in the Missouri group?

Or am I missing something?

[msongs]

2. darn socialists using taxpayer money so righties can't say "we built this" lol nt

[pstokely]

3. In "real" America

Those counties on I-49 are all Red

[TexasTowelie]

4. Thus the need for an interstate

to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible.

[RKP5637]

5. Fortunately they're building an escape route now as the area becomes more red to give moderates and

dems one more chance to flee.