Following a brief speech by West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff crediting the work of many hands over the last two decades, the Independence Drive train overpass opened to traffic Friday morning.
The project broke ground in late 2024 at the junction of East U.S. 160/Independence Drive and Old Airport Road after about 17 years of planning, funding acquisition and coordination between the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), BNSF Railway, the city of West Plains and Leonardo DRS.
The $9 million project was supported by the Economic Development Administration, Community Development Block Grant funding, the Delta Regional Authority, MoDOT, BNSF Railway, Leonardo DRS and the city. The construction contract was awarded to Capital Paving and Construction. MoDOT engineers inspected the site Thursday afternoon and gave the go-ahead to open.
The overpass is expected to relieve traffic congestion along east U.S. 160 and provide a clear path for emergency personnel who will no longer be delayed by trains. It also connects two properties on the Leonardo DRS campus previously split by Independence Drive.
“We appreciate everyone that has taken their time to join us this morning and for your commitment to helping West Plains thrive,” Topliff said. “In addition to the recognized guests we’d also like to recognize the organizations, programs and partners that made this project possible. Many years of grant writing, visioning and strategic partnerships are finally paying off.”
Several individuals who championed the project in its early stages returned to see the final result, including former City Engineering Department Superintendent Wes Parks, who retired in 2018, and former City Administrator and MoDOT employee Tom Stehn. Parks and Stehn were given the honor of cutting the ribbon that signaled the official opening of the road.
Other partners in attendance included South Central Ozarks Council of Governments (SCOCOG) Executive Director Trent Courtney, formerly the city’s right-of-way agent, and recent city retiree Brian Mitchell, a former street department supervisor who assisted with the acquisition of federal TIGER (Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery) grants.
Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith attended the ceremony, along with 33rd District State Sen. Brad Hudson, 154th District State Rep. Lisa Durnell, Howell County commissioners and city council members.
Immediately after the ceremony, a West Plains R-7 school bus filled with kindergartners was the first vehicle to cross the overpass, followed by emergency vehicles and a city transit bus.
