MODOT Advances 7th Street Work in Joplin
Florida Avenue closes on both sides of 7th Street as Missouri Route 66 construction continues.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The Missouri Department of Transportation laid out its next round of work on 7th Street in Joplin, with Florida Avenue closed on both sides of 7th Street for pavement replacement and traffic signal installation. At least one lane of 7th Street remains open in each direction at all times, and business access is maintained.
Why it matters
The closures and lane restrictions will affect drivers and nearby businesses in Joplin while the Route 66 improvements proceed. Work is part of a broader traffic and safety project for the corridor.
The total budget for MODOT's Missouri Route 66 Traffic and Safety Improvements project is $61.6 million, with construction expected to finish December 1, 2028. The stub does not indicate the current percentage of work completed.
The players
Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT)
The state agency responsible for Missouri's highways, bridges, and transportation planning, overseeing the Route 66 improvement project in Joplin.
The details
Florida Avenue is closed on both sides of 7th Street while crews replace pavement and install a traffic signal. Missouri American Water crews will also close Main Street overnight on either side of 7th Street, and other intersections will see interruptions for sidewalk, gas, and fiber line construction.
Timeline
November 16 through November 23: Missouri American Water overnight Main Street closures near 7th Street.
December 1, 2028: Expected completion of MODOT construction on 7th Street.
Roadmap
The 7th Street work is one segment of MODOT's Missouri Route 66 Traffic and Safety Improvements project, which carries a $61.6 million budget. The current phase extends the corridor's staged reconstruction toward its December 2028 completion target.
Drivers using 7th Street should expect lane restrictions and should plan around overnight Main Street closures from November 16 through November 23. Access to businesses is maintained throughout the work, so local trips can continue while crews operate.
The takeaway
Construction on 7th Street will continue in phases through 2028, so drivers and nearby businesses should expect intermittent closures. Checking closure notices before traveling through the area can help avoid delays.
What happens next
Florida Avenue closure will move to St. Louis once work on Florida is completed, and MODOT expects to wrap up construction December 1, 2028.
Further reading
For more on home and property projects around town, see Home Renovation in Joplin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KODE 12.
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Do you support the Joplin 7th Street road project despite the traffic delays?
