The Department of Economics, Political Science and Sociology at Missouri Western State University will host “Rediscover the River,” a forum on the future of Interstate 229 in St. Joseph, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Enright Community Room, Spratt Hall, room 214. The forum is free and open to the public.
Interstate 229 was built in the 1970s and 1980s to draw traffic to Downtown St. Joseph from Interstate 29, which passed through the eastern edge of the city. The portion through downtown is a double-decker construction, with the northbound lanes traveling on a deck over the southbound lanes. The bridge is one of more than 600 the state has listed in “critical condition,” and planners have discussed several options for the structure’s future.
Political science faculty members will be joined by representatives from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of St. Joseph in a discussion about this unique opportunity to rethink the look and feel of Downtown St. Joseph and the city’s connection to the Missouri River.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.