Heads up, Cedar and Polk County residents: if you've ever cursed the serpentine twists of Route 32, relief is on its way. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a public hearing will drop the details on the upcoming realignment project for a stretch of the notoriously curvy road. Set your calendars for March 18, as MoDOT opens the floor at Stockton High School from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Or, for those glued to screens, a virtual meeting runs until April 1, accessible here.
The proposed overhaul targets the sharp squiggles between Cedar County Route CC and Polk County 76th Road. Aimed at ushering in a future of fewer white-knuckle drives, this comes alongside a bridge makeover over Barren Creek and a promise of roadway spaciousness near Fair Play, where dedicated turn lanes are set to sprout up. Following an open-house style format, the hearing is your shot to not only get informed but throw in your two cents.
Let's talk turkey: this endeavor won't just straighten roads but wallets too, racking up an estimated $10.5 million. But for many, the promise of safer commutes and streamlined traffic is a swap worth making. Construction is slated for a fall 2026 start, buttoning up end of 2027—a timeline that seems as distant as it is hopeful for locals regularly navigating this path.
MoDOT assures that all comers to this gathering will find their pathway smooth, with access for people with disabilities baked in. "We are committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants," said MoDOT's release, marking a pledge to inclusivity as firm as the asphalt soon to lay on Route 32's new contours.
