(By RYAN SKAITH)
The Missouri Department of Transportation and Evergy will host a public meeting today to discuss a planned intersection improvement project on U.S. Route 71 at 340th Street, south of Maryville.
The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Maryville Public Safety Training Room, located at 101 N. Vine St. The event will follow an open-house format with no formal presentation, allowing residents to view project plans and speak directly with representatives from MoDOT and Evergy.
The proposed upgrades are designed to accommodate a projected increase in traffic following the construction of a new natural gas plant in the area. MoDOT officials recommend replacing the existing crossover at 340th Street with J-turns to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of high-speed collisions.
Under the J-turn design, motorists on side roads will no longer cross multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic to turn left or travel straight. Instead, drivers will turn right in the direction of traffic, merge into the passing lane, and use a dedicated lane to make a U-turn into the opposite direction of travel.
The project is currently scheduled to be made available for contractor bids during MoDOT’s April 2026 letting.
Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to share concerns or submit comments. Those unable to speak with project leaders directly will have the opportunity to provide feedback via written comment forms.
You can also mail your comments to:
Nodaway U.S. Route 71 Intersection Improvement
Missouri Department of Transportation
3602 North Belt Highway
St. Joseph, MO 64506
All comments must be postmarked by Feb. 4, 2026.
