JOPLIN, MO.--- Joplin city leaders announced plans to build a trail connecting Missouri Southern State University to Northpark Mall. This includes a 2,000 foot asphalt walking trail that will stretch from the soccer fields southeast of the campus to a bridge over Turkey Creek.
City leaders and university officials say the goal is to make traveling by foot both safer and more efficient.
"One of the difficulties we have, when you think about where we are geographically, we are on the edge of the city. We have the trolleys that do take students around, but many students would like to have a cleaner access as it were, a more direct access to the mall," said Dr. Bruse Speck, MSSU President. "And this is going to give them that opportunity."
"We will start out with designs and easements and all that, and then we are looking at late this year for starting of construction," said David Hertzberg, Joplin Public Works Director.
The project will be funded by a $300,000 grant from MODOT's Federal Highway Enhancement Program.
City leaders and university officials say the goal is to make traveling by foot both safer and more efficient.
"One of the difficulties we have, when you think about where we are geographically, we are on the edge of the city. We have the trolleys that do take students around, but many students would like to have a cleaner access as it were, a more direct access to the mall," said Dr. Bruse Speck, MSSU President. "And this is going to give them that opportunity."
"We will start out with designs and easements and all that, and then we are looking at late this year for starting of construction," said David Hertzberg, Joplin Public Works Director.
The project will be funded by a $300,000 grant from MODOT's Federal Highway Enhancement Program.
