Part of 26th Street to be widened in Joplin - KOAM TV 7

A major roadway in Joplin will soon be widened.

26th Street from Maiden Lane to Schifferdecker will soon be widened to two travel lanes, with a center turn lane.

City officials say pre-tornado studies showed about 3,000 vehicles used the road a day.  Now, that number has dropped by about 500, but the city says traffic will swell once a new school is built on the old Saint John's property.

Some homeowners along this road say they are upset over losing parts of their front yard, while others say they welcome the improvement.

"We have a lot of close calls," says Rex McCoy.  "People slamming their brakes out there - there used to be a lot of kids walking up and down."

Money for the project will come from the city's capital improvement fund and federal funds.