Springfield, Mo. – Construction crews broke ground Monday on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s $10.4 million Sunshine Street East Corridor project. The 19‑month effort will modernize a four‑mile stretch of East Sunshine Street between Glenstone Avenue and Farm Road 199, adding ADA‑compliant sidewalks, upgraded traffic signals and a new crosswalk to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Project details and timeline
MoDOT officials say the work will begin immediately and is slated for completion in June 2028. Crews will temporarily close or narrow lanes at several intersections, and portions of existing sidewalks and business entrances will be excavated to accommodate the new infrastructure. The agency has pledged to coordinate closely with affected merchants to keep access to storefronts open whenever possible.
Local business reactions
Business owners along the corridor expressed a mix of support for the long‑term benefits and concern about short‑term disruptions. Jeremy Bates, manager of Meta Games Unlimited, highlighted the need for a safe crossing point. “People cross the road here all the time, going over towards Wendy’s, and you just have to run across traffic, basically, so it’ll be nice to have a crosswalk. That would be a good improvement, and sidewalks are nice, too,” Bates said.
Bates also warned that the timing coincides with the holiday shopping season. “A big concern for us with it being, like, the holiday shopping season is now, essentially. If traffic is going to be really terrible because of the construction, it might deter people from wanting to come over this way. And that would be a bummer to lose out on business because of the construction, for sure,” he added.
Desmond Barnes, store manager at Valvoline Express Care, was less worried. “There’s multiple ways to get through, and they’re going to have, like, an assembly line process started where here soon there will be concrete guys coming down, and it will only take up so much of the space, and it just keeps working its way down,” Barnes explained.
MoDOT’s mitigation plan
MoDOT spokespersons emphasized that lane closures will be limited to the duration of work at each intersection, and turning lanes may be temporarily shut down only when necessary. The department also noted that contractors will maintain clear signage and detour routes to minimize inconvenience for shoppers and commuters.
“Our goal is to improve traffic flow and safety while keeping local businesses accessible,” the agency said. “We are working with merchants to ensure that any disruptions are short‑lived and that the long‑term benefits outweigh the temporary inconvenience.”
What residents can expect
Drivers traveling the East Sunshine Street corridor should anticipate occasional delays, especially during peak shopping hours. MoDOT recommends allowing extra travel time and staying alert for posted detour signs. Pedestrians can look forward to a safer crossing once the project is finished, aligning the street with federal ADA standards.
Community members with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the MoDOT project office directly. Updates on construction schedules and traffic changes will be posted on the agency’s website and shared through local media outlets.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
