Improvements continue at U.S. Route 59 and Alabama Street intersection in South St. Joseph to ease traffic flow

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- An ongoing project to improve the intersection at U.S. Route 59 and Alabama Street, located in South St. Joseph, will head to phase two in October.

The project aims to improve tractor-trailer turning movements and increase capacity for vehicles stopped at the Route U train to cross.    

Authorities say they are planning to incorporate more sidewalks along the route.

“So, there are impacts, but they are fairly minimal as people can still use Route 59. As far as I have heard, I think people are excited about having a new intersection,” said Jessica Salyer, the project engineer from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The project is anticipated to be completed by November 2026. Any information about changes made should be updated on MoDOT's website at www.modot.org/projects/.

Salyer said accessing Route 752 would be difficult, and recommends taking detours.

Some sidewalks along Route 52 will continue to remain closed as well.

“There are impacts because it's just stage one and it's closed, and Route 752 is also closed between Route 59 and Sherman Street, which makes it hard to navigate,” Salyer said.