Businesses impacted during National & Division closure

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The intersection of Division Street and National Avenue is closing down for over a month as city crews continue to make improvements in the area. The process is irritating businesses in the area as customers struggle to get to them.

Shyeanne Due is a server at Rocco’s Pizza on Division just west of National. She says they have already felt the impacts of the closure.

“Usually Tuesday mornings, it’s so busy and we have so many dine-ins that we can’t really get prep work done or anything to do with side work,” says Due. “But today we’ve had no dine-ins, like none at all.”

She also explained to OzarksFirst that their delivery times are also being impacted.

“Especially for our delivery drivers when we do get a delivery, if they’re anywhere on this side, we’ve got to try to find an alternate route,” Due says.

The construction began on August 5, causing lane closures and limited through traffic. Now, the intersection is completely shut down to drivers.

Springfield driver James Allen says the construction makes it hard to get around town.

“Coming up Glenstone, a lot of times you’ll go over to National because National is fast. But now you have to stay on Glenstone till you get up the Chestnut Expressway,” Allen says.

The project is being funded through sales taxes, reimbursements through city utilities and grant funds. Kristen Milam with the City of Springfield says the improvements will help the intersection integrate with the railroad crossing.

“We’ve got some interesting lighting out there that’s currently on scaffolding,” explains Milam. “So, we’ll be installing some standard light fixtures on post so it’ll be more of a standard intersection as drivers are coming in.”

The project is expected to be completed on November 21. You can find more information on the improvements here.

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