UPDATE WED PM: West Junge opens to traffic. Crews were able to fill with concrete slabs, rock and gravel. However road is not asphalted. Travel with caution through the area. More permanent repairs are planned.
UPDATE WED AM: The hole is 10 X 10 and looks different from Tuesday night. Essentially only asphalt was covering the hole. It’s a mineshaft opening. Joplin Special Road District are working to devise a plan.
The Jasper County Engineer, Mike Atkinson, told us as crews were digging for depth in the hole. He pointed out wood and timber floating up. That’s a sign of a mineshaft. Because 100 years ago when a shaft was closed they would pile sticks, timber, wood, debris, etc. and then cover the opening.
It’s unknown how deep this shaft is currently.
JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — About 5:15 p.m. Tuesday Junge Blvd (aka West 13th) closed to all through traffic. The specific location is within the 5000 – 5100 block of West Junge.
“CLOSED: West Junge Blvd from Black Cat to Central City until further notice. There will be NO THRU TRAFFIC.”
JOPLIN SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT
It could be a sinkhole forming. Engineers will take a closer look Wednesday. Joplin Special Road District told us at 6:00 p.m. they will have a crew on the scene at 7:00 a.m.
Local traffic can go to the side of the barricades but the road is 100% blocked at a point you see on our map below. So locals will have to decide which road to access for your address.
***ROAD CLOSED***PLEASE SHARE*** Joplin Special Road District has Closed West Junge Blvd from Black Cat to Central City…
Posted by Joplin Special Road District on Tuesday, November 23, 2021
We will update this article with more information as it is received by authorities. Click here to save our news tab as a bookmark on your digital device or phone.