News Flash

As a citizen who drives every day in Ozark you certainly recognize our volume of traffic is becoming more not less.  The City of Ozark continues to be a highly desirable market for developers, both residential and commercial, because of the many wonderful attributes our community has to offer.  As new growth occurs the impact that growth has on our infrastructure system, specifically transportation, creates significant demands for increased capacity.  As a river community, bridges are a critical component to the transportation system as well as managing the flood waters that can cause road closures, increase safety risks, and cause property damage.

Knowing growth and economic development is intricately tied to transportation improvements, in 2019 Governor Mike Parsons created the Governor’s Transportation Cost Share Program, specifically focused on funding local transportation improvements that would advance economic development projects in Missouri while also improving capacity and safety.  

The City of Ozark, in partnership with Christian County, Ozark Special Road District, and the Finley Farms Transportation Development District, submitted an application to receive some of these funds for a project in Ozark.  We were fortunately successful in our application and in the summer of 2020 received a Governor’s Cost Share Grant with a project scope that included: 

1.  The reconstruction and rehabilitation of the 95-year old Mill Pond Bridge;

2.  The reconstruction of the intersection of North 3^rd Street and McCracken Road;

3.  The rising of the roadway elevation to provide new storm water boxes that will decrease the negative impact of frequent flooding events;

4.  Improve safety with the addition of new intersection approaches, striped turn lanes, directional islands, and improved signage.   

This project was originally scheduled for late summer 2020, however, due to the COVID pandemic causing supply and labor shortages, increased costs, and funding delays an extension request was necessary and a new “Phased” timeline was developed as outlined below:

Crews will begin construction on the improvements to the 3^rd and McCracken intersection and the Rehabilitation of the McCracken Road Bridge on December 5, 2022.   Work will include the reconstruction of the 3^rd and McCracken intersection to allow a thru north-south traffic movement.  Improvements will also include the addition of multi-use pedestrian tunnels below McCracken Road and 3^rd Street.  The pedestrian tunnels will serve new trails connecting the Finley River Park, the Ozark Mill site, and the future Garrison Branch trail extension.   Lastly the improvements will include the rehabilitation of the existing McCracken Road Bridge over the Finley River.   The improvements are anticipated to occur in five (5) phases.

Phase ONE (1) COMPLETED  will consist of the installation of the northern pedestrian tunnel crossing under McCracken Road just west of the existing 3^rd Street intersection.  This phase will require the closure of McCracken Road from 4^th Street to 3^rd Street.  McCracken Road will be closed beginning December 19^th.   It is anticipated that McCracken Road will be closed until January 16^th, 2023 (weather pending).  Please see attached map for exact closure location. We have also included DETOUR maps.  

Jan. 2 - 6, 2023 Progress Report: 

• Jan. 2 Rebar arrived, and the contractor was able to tie the rebar and pour concrete Friday morning. The contractor Placed two(2) casings across the Garrison Branch creek, the other for the force main and the other for the new water line.  
• ANTICIPATED WORK NEXT PERIOD: Tie rebar for the walls at the McCracken box, and pour this Wednesday, weather permitting. Continue to excavate for the new water line and force main installation.

Jan. 9 - 13, 2023 Progress Report:

• Work completed for the week of January 9th. Concrete walls have been formed and poured. Placed rebar for the top which will be poured early next week. Water crew has been installing water line and force main all week.
• ANTICIPATED WORK NEXT PERIOD: The next week will be to pour the top for the McCracken box and continue with the force main and new water line.

Jan. 16 - 20, 2023 Progress Report:

• The concrete box culvert for the Finley Park access has been completed and is backfilled with clean rock. Continue with the force main installation and connect the new water line just past Garrison Creek towards the lift station. Tuesday, January 24th, McCracken road will be open to traffic, and 3rd street will be closed for construction. 
• ANTICIPATED WORK NEXT PERIOD: McCracken road will be opened, and we will close down 3rd street Tuesday morning around 9:00 am. Excavate for the 3rd street box culvert and continue with the water line and force main. 

Phase TWO (2) IN PROGRESS will consist of the installation of the southern pedestrian tunnel crossing under 3^rd Street just north of the existing Fire Station entrance.  It is anticipated that this phase will begin January 24, 2023 (weather dependent) and will extend thru the second week of March.  

Phase THREE (3) will consist of off road utility and trail work along 3^rd Street, McCracken Road and near the Finley River Park’s southern entrance.(more information will be posted as the project develops)

 Phase FOUR (4) will consist of the completion of the intersection grading and paving.    This work is anticipated to begin sometime in early March. (more information will be posted as the project develops) 

 Phase FIVE (5)  will consist of the closure of McCracken Road and the refurbishment of the McCracken Road Bridge. (more information will be posted as the project develops) 

The City recognizes that this public improvement project works in conjunction to improve traffic flow in the area, achieve pedestrian safety improvements, improves the McCracken Street and 3^rd Street intersection, and improves storm water management during flood stage events eliminating the closure of the McCracken St. and Riverside Road intersection.   We appreciate your patience as we complete these improvements. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the project, please feel free to reach out to us at spayne@ozarkmissouri.com or 417-581-7002 ext 2001.

Facebook: @ozarkmo
www.ozarkmissouri.com

LARGE TRUCK ROUTE DETOUR= The weight limit on Mill Pond Bridge is fifteen (15) Ton.