Springfield, Mo. – The Rountree neighborhood, famous for its elaborate Halloween parade and candy‑filled celebrations, will have to adjust its traditional route this year. The city’s public‑works department has begun a major construction project on Fremont Avenue that runs through the heart of the community.
Project details and safety guidance
Lexi Hunsucker, the city’s public‑works spokesperson and project manager for the work, explained that the effort is aimed at replacing a 100‑year‑old box culvert with a new reinforced‑concrete pipe. The upgrade will improve the storm‑water system’s capacity and bring the street into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring safer, more accessible sidewalks for all residents.
“The culvert showed clear signs of age, so we put together a plan to replace it with modern concrete pipe,” Hunsucker said. “We are working to keep the construction area as clean as possible before Halloween night, but we ask residents to stay clear of the closed road and any sections without sidewalks until the work is finished.”
Impact on Halloween festivities
Rountree resident Megan Bound, who has celebrated six Halloweens in the neighborhood, described the event as “like the Super Bowl” for the community. She said the annual parade draws neighbors from across the area, and families stock up on thousands of pieces of candy for the night’s festivities.
“We usually have a parade that goes right through the neighborhood, and the kids follow the floats and then hop from house to house,” Bound explained. “This year, because of the construction, we’ll need to steer clear of the houses inside the work zone and find alternative routes for the parade and trick‑or‑treating.”
Hunsucker reassured residents that the construction zones will be clearly marked and that safe pathways will be identified well before Halloween. “We’ll be very explicit about where it’s safe to walk and where it isn’t,” she said.
Community response
While many residents understand the long‑term benefits of the storm‑water upgrade, the timing has caused disappointment. “It’s a little disheartening that the construction is happening during this time and they can’t hand out candy in front of their houses,” Bound said. “I really hope they’re able to find somewhere where they can still celebrate the holidays.”
City officials encourage neighbors to stay patient and to use the temporary detours as an opportunity to explore other parts of the neighborhood. The public‑works team plans to finish the critical work before the end of October, allowing the community to enjoy a safe and festive Halloween night.
Looking ahead
The upgraded storm‑water system is expected to reduce flooding risks during heavy rain events and to provide a more accessible sidewalk network for residents with mobility challenges. By addressing infrastructure needs now, the city aims to protect the neighborhood’s cherished traditions for years to come.
Residents with questions about the construction schedule or the recommended Halloween routes can contact the Springfield Public Works Department at (417) 555‑0123 or visit the city’s website for real‑time updates.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
