Photo courtesy of David Backlin (taken April 2005)
While US 71 turns off onto Interstate 44 at Joplin, the route straight ahead continues as Missouri 249. The use of a Series B font in the Missouri 249 shield is unusual. Also notable is the fact that all types of Missouri routes are represented on this sign gantry. A state numbered route, an Interstate route, a US route, and a state supplemental route are all present!