MoDOT holds roundabout hearing to discuss Route 95 widening project

More than a year since the last meeting on the Route 95 widening project in Mountain Grove, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) held an open house-style hearing with revised plans last Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Glenn and Ytoka Kemper Senior Center.
Those attending the event had the opportunity to see the revised plans and to provide questions and comments to MoDOT staff who attended the hearing.
Overall plans as listed in the hearing notice “include a center left-turn lane from near the U.S. 60 Interchange to Business 60 and a five lane roadway from the Route 60 eastbound ramps to 17th St. in Mountain Grove. The project also includes the construction of two roundabouts at the intersections of 3rd St./Route 95 and at Route 95 and the eastbound on/off ramps.”
Written and recorded statements on the project are being taken through Thursday, Dec. 5.
Project Manager Pete Berry said comments were being gathered in regards to the draft plans that were on display at the hearing and some revisions were made since the first meeting in 2023 based on comments received at that time.
One major change is a pedestrian crossing area going over the bridge above Highway 60.
Some of the entry points being removed along the stretch were also revised.
Perry noted that comments gathered from this meeting will help fine tune plans to be presented to the MoDOT Commission for approval in the spring of 2025.
Upon approval, appraisals for property will be gathered and offers could then be made for the right-of-way in summer 2025. Construction would then begin in 2026 with a completion goal of the fall of 2027.
Noted items on the plans going from the red light next to Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home all the way up Route 95 to the Highway 60 overpass
• Down Home Realty building still appears on the map unlike last rendition.
• Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home would lose some parking spaces due to the roundabout at 3rd St.
• Edward Jones loses one entry to Main St. A new one will connect Edward Jones to Southern Hills.
• Community First Bank loses one Main St. entry.
• American Family Insurance loses one Main St. entry. Now customers would use 7th St.
• Portable Buildings loses one entry off Main St.
•McGownd Auto Sales loses one entry to Main St.
• Mr. B’s loses one entry to Main St.
• Select Finance loses one entry to Main St. Customers now go through 8th St.
• The 9th St. entry is eliminated next to Thomas Dentistry. Their customers would now use path next to Super Lube. One entry between those locations to also be removed.
• Front access to Town and Country Insurance is gone. Customers to go through Town & Country Bank parking lot.
• Pamperien Center loses entry to Main St. in front of dentist and 11th St. Pamperien’s former “Back in Time” building will be gone. A new entry off Main St. is being put on the other side of where the building was.
• One entry for Wright County Land Services is removed. Those customers to go through Oriental Hut lot.
• Fresenius Kidney Care loses one entry to Main St. closest to Wright County Land Services.
• Legacy Bank & Trust loses one entry to Main St. across from Oak Star Bank.
• Apple Blossom Learning Center loses its Main St. entry.
• Sonic’s Main St. entry is eliminated and customers would now enter through 16th St.
• Main St. entry to Domino’s drive-thru is gone. All customers to get there through 17th St.
• Entrance to businesses next to City dump gone from Main St. Access now off the dump entrance.
• Colorxpress loses one Main St. entry.
• Both of Taco Bell’s current Main St. entries are removed. A new pavement access is made to enter their lot through the side, just past Hawkins.
• Country Mart loses all of their Main St. entries to the grocery store and gas station. All customers to get there on street next to parking lot.
• McDonald’s loses its exit after the drive-thru.