Improvements continue on 76 Country Boulevard

W. Hwy. 76 improvements celebrated

Special to Branson Globe

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The revitalization of Branson’s 76 Country Boulevard is well underway and the city is celebrating the completion of the first phase of the project.

The first phase of the revitalization covered the area between the Branson Ferris Wheel and Presley’s Country Jubilee Theater. Referred to as Segment Three, the area now proudly features three new pedestrian crosswalks, professional landscaping and irrigations, new water lines, benches, 40,000 square feet of new sidewalks, a well-lit corridor with 31 new street lights and 36 pedestrian lights, and no overhead utility lines.

Total cost for the project was $22 million dollars, money that came from a partnership between the City of Branson’s Infrastructure Tourism Tax and the 78 Entertainment Community District.

A 76 Re-Creation Celebration, marking the completion of the first phase of the revitalization project, included a ribbon cutting ceremony and comments from some of the key participants in the project.

“Just take a drive and you’ll notice a huge difference,” said Branson Alderman Clay Cooper. “Tax dollars well spent.”

Keith Francis, City of Branson Public Works and Engineering Director noted that improving 76 Country Boulevard was something that community members had expressed a desire to see.

Said Francis, “We listened and are proud to complete this first milestone with much more to come. A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in this successful project.”

The celebration was attended by not only current members of the board of aldermen, and representatives from the City of Branson and the Public Works Department, but also contractors, members of the 76 ECID, and former mayors and aldermen who had all worked to make this revitalization a reality.

In their most recent regular meeting, the Branson Board of Alderman unanimously approved Bill Number 6180, an ordinance that approves a contract to design and improve Segments one and two of 76 Country Boulevard, the next steps in the revitalization project. These segments run from Shepherd of the Hills Expressway to the Branson Ferris Wheel. The additional work will continue to improve both the aesthetics and the safety of 76 Country Boulevard.