Tunnel under National to open July 26

The new tunnel road under National Avenue is scheduled to open 6 a.m., Monday, July 26. The new road and underpass are designed to provide easier access to CoxHealth facilities on the east and west sides of National Avenue and smoother, safer traffic flow on National Avenue.

When the tunnel road opens, left turns from National Avenue into Cox South on the west or Bradford Parkway on the east will no longer be permitted. CoxHealth Security staff will be stationed near the tunnel road entrance and on CoxHealth property to guide drivers who may need assistance.

To access Cox facilities, use the following routes:
• From northbound National Avenue to Cox South: Turn right onto Bradford Parkway, then right again onto the Cox tunnel road and follow the road under National Avenue.
• From southbound National Avenue to Cox South: No changes. You will still be able to make a right turn from National Avenue into Cox South.
• From northbound National Avenue to Hulston Cancer Center and Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center: No changes. You will still be able to make a right turn from National Avenue onto Bradford Parkway or you can use Primrose Street to access these facilities.
• From southbound National Avenue to Hulston Cancer Center and Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center: Turn right onto the Cox South campus south of Primrose Street off of National Avenue. Turn left at the stop sign, go through the tunnel and access Bradford Parkway. Or you can use Primrose Street to access these facilities.

The completion of the loop road and tunnel is part of a $9.7 million partnership project involving CoxHealth, MoDOT and the City of Springfield. The project includes rebuilding the interchange at National Avenue and the James River Freeway (Route 60) as a diverging diamond interchange and adding auxiliary lanes on James River Freeway between National and Campbell Avenues.

Diverging diamond interchange now open

The National Avenue and James River Freeway Bridge re-opened this morning in the diverging diamond pattern which takes drivers on the left side of the road. You are still able to make a left turn from northbound National onto the Cox South campus until July 26 when the new CoxHealth tunnel opens.

The bridge will remain closed to pedestrian traffic until July 17.

The new Cox access tunnel under National Avenue opens at 4 a.m. Monday, July 26. No left turns onto the Cox South campus or onto Bradford Parkway from National will be permitted. Remember, to get to the opposite side of National from either direction, you’ll go “right and under.”

Please remember to plan extra time for your trip and be prepared for lane slowdowns as drivers adjust to the new driving pattern and work is completed. Look for signs and pavement markings which will guide you safely through these changes.

Changes at National Avenue and James River Freeway

The new diverging diamond intersection at National Avenue and James River Freeway is almost complete. Here's what you need to know to get to Cox South during the final construction phases, which begin with the temporary closing of the National Avenue bridge on Friday, July 9.

Phase one: National Avenue bridge closed
9 p.m., Friday, July 9 - 4 a.m., Monday, July 12
Reopens on Monday in the new diverging diamond traffic pattern

To access Cox South during the bridge closure:

* From westbound James River Freeway: no changes

* From southbound National Avenue: no changes

* From eastbound James River Freeway: Take the Glenstone Avenue exit, turn left at the light and cross over the freeway. Take James River Freeway westbound. Take National exit and go north.

* From northbound National: Go eastbound on James River Freeway. Take the Glenstone exit, turn left at the light and cross over the freeway. Take James River Freeway westbound. Take National exit and go north.

Access to Primrose Street on the north side of the Cox South campus remains unchanged. Drivers can access Primrose from Campbell, Glenstone or Fremont Avenues as usual.

Phase two: New access tunnel opens
4 a.m., Monday, July 26

Two weeks after the bridge reopens, a new access tunnel under National Avenue will open, allowing access to Cox South from northbound National.

To get to Cox South:

* From northbound National: Turn right onto Bradford Parkway, then right again into the Cox tunnel under National. The new traffic pattern eliminates left turns into the Cox South campus from northbound National.

* From southbound National: no changes

To get to Hulston Cancer Center and Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center:

* From southbound National: Turn right onto the Cox South campus. Turn left at the stop sign to go through the Cox tunnel to Bradford. Drivers may also use Primrose.

No left turns onto the Cox South campus or onto Bradford Parkway from National will be permitted. Remember, to get to the opposite side of National from either direction, you'll go "right and under."