Reconstruction project for Highway 59 and Alabama pushed back to April 7

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Due to pre-construction utility work, an improvement project for U.S. 59 and Alabama Street has been delayed again.

This is the second time the work has been rescheduled. The project was originally set to begin on March 18. Construction now will start on Monday, April 7.

As the delays have added up, businesses in the area have been impacted with less people driving on the roads. 

"Everybody's suffering that there aren't any customers," one Cenex gas station owner, Malik Moeed said. "It's hurting our business. In addition to that, some of the people aren't taking this route. This is because of the construction."

Some in the community are skeptical that this will be the last of the delay's for the project.

"The construction around here, if it's not a quick fix, they take their time and they will find excuse," St. Joseph resident, Jeremiah Andries said. "Maybe in the end they'll start it, and it may not even be a fully caught up. Something could go wrong."

The $8.3 million project has been five years in the making, with the goal being to realign roadways and add turn lanes, sidewalks and storm drainage in the area on the city's South Side.

Stage 1 of the project will close off Alabama Street between Route 59 and Sherman Street. It also will close off access to Lake Avenue and Brown Street.

The project is slated to be completed by December 2026.