Public meeting: 120-day closure E. 76 between Lake Shore and Bus. 65 roundabout

Drivers should get ready for up to a 120-day closure of Missouri Route 76 between Lake Shore Drive and Business Route 65 in Hollister. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is gearing up for a major $7.5 million slide repair project, scheduled to start in the spring of 2026, to help stabilize the bank and prevent recurring dangerous slides and road washouts of the highway in that area.

Residents and interested parties can attend a public meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, to find out more about the project and how it will affect local traffic. The meeting will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, at 420 W. Main St. in Branson. It will be a “come-and-go” event hosted by MoDOT with no formal presentation. You can arrive anytime within that window to check out the exhibits, gather project details, and ask MoDOT personnel questions about the project.

The area of white rocks indicates where previous slides have washed out the highway, and it is the area of repair that will be focused on. (Photo by Gary J. Groman)

According to MoDOT, this portion of Route 76 is very busy, with approximately 14,400 vehicles traveling on it daily. Because of the work, significant traffic impacts are expected during construction, as Route 76 will be completely closed between the Business 65 roundabout and Lake Shore Drive for up to 120 days. Drivers will need to use a detour, which includes Route 76, Coon Creek Road and Taney County Route BB.

John and Kelly Neil live off of T Highway and travel that portion of Highway 76 on just about a daily basis. While acknowledging that the proposed fix will fix a dangerous situation, they point out that the detour will just about double the time and mileage of their trips into Hollister and Branson. They are concerned about the project’s start date and the maintenance of detour routes to ensure safe conditions for the increased traffic.

MoDOT says that the project intends to stabilize the ground supporting the road along the Lake Taneycomo shoreline and the rebuilding of the roadway itself. Key elements of the project include:

1. Stabilizing the Route 76 embankment along the Lake Taneycomo shoreline by reinforcing the earth that supports the highway.

2. Reconstructing 1,200 feet of Route 76 roadway to ensure its stability and longevity.

3. Installing a new concrete drainage ditch on the east side of Route 76, right next to the rock bluff, to help manage water flow and prevent future slides.

If you can’t make it to the meeting or want more detailed information about the Missouri Route 76 Slide Repair Project, you can call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit their website at www.modot.org/southwest.