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News covering policy and issues related to city and county governments in the Ozarks.

Central Street at OTC in Springfield to be Relocated

City of Springfield

Plans are to relocate the portion of Central Street that goes through the OTC campus.

Andrew Flippin, a professional engineer with the City of Springfield, said OTC has been acquiring property north of campus over the last decade for future expansion.  He said that plays into the plans for re-routing Central.

"You know, it provides a benefit to OTC to allow them to expand their campus, but it also provides a benefit to travelers as Central east of National doesn't go through to Glenstone. If we re-route traffic on Central up to Pythian, Pythian goes all the way through to Glenstone," he said.

Plans call for expanding the roundabout at Central and Sherman and then re-routing Central there.

"And the connection that exists right now at Central will be closed off, but the northeast corner of that roundabout will have a leg that will go off and tie into Pythian," he said.

That section of Pythian currently ends in a cul-de-sac. The signal at Central and National will be moved to Pythian and National.

According to Flippin, the project will increase safety at OTC.  He said the situation there is “difficult at best."

"You know, you've kind of got kids crossing the streets in various locations.  There's on-street parking through there.  Safety is one of the biggest reasons why were are looking at doing this," he said.

Flippin said they plan to start construction in the spring, but the majority of the work will be done when school’s out for the summer.

The cost of the project is estimated to be $3 million, with OTC paying $1 million.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.