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Fair ~ River stage: 33.86 Falling Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
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Cape County Commission hears suggestions for improving U.S. 61 congestionFriday, October 30, 2009A St. Louis consultant presented an idea Thursday that could alleviate traffic problems in parts of uptown Jackson. Douglas S. Shatto, president of St. Louis-based Crawford, Bunte and Brammeier, told the Cape Girardeau County Commission during its meeting that his firm has identified three intersections along U.S. 61 where traffic is most congested. Plans call for a stoplight and turn lanes at U.S. 61 and Main Street, a concrete barrier in a turn lane at Washington and Hope streets and a roundabout in front of the county courthouse near the intersection of U.S. 61 and Washington Street. Shatto said the roundabout could be between 130 and 150 feet in diameter and could enhance the landscaping. However, Shatto emphasized that plan still is in the early stages and has not been approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Since no funding source has been identified, a start date on construction is undetermined. "Roundabouts can and should be very efficient intersection designs," Shatto said. "The public is beginning to get acclimated to them, and we feel it's a good fit to this location." For the plan to work, a small section of the courthouse lawn facing Washington Street would be eliminated. Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said he plans to use a tape measure to get a more visual picture of how much land would be removed. Jones said while he believes the project is a good idea, he will research if any features of the county's land that could be eliminated hold any historic or other special designations. "There also is a spruce tree there," Jones said. "I need to do some research to learn who put it there and why." Other business The commission also approved a recommendation for the Route AB extension to the intersection of highways 25 and 77 in Blomeyer. Originally estimated at a little more than $2 million, the lowest bidder was Kolb Grading of St. Charles, Mo., with a bid of $1,044,711.18. The award is contingent upon approval by the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. 388-3628 Pertinent address: 1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO
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That is a truck route. I don't see that working at all, LOL.
This is a stupid plan that will not work. I am tired of all this crap of studies being done especially when local people are not used. MODOT already screwed us over with Hwy. 72, I hope they will not do it again by approving any of this. Roundabouts are just plain ridiculus and stupid!!!!! Especially on a major truck route!!!!!!!
considering this is a truck route, a by-pass sounds more effective to me, but what do I know
how much did this consultant cost?
I'd say that this design study cost the taxpayer around $50,000. [I'm not kidding.] As part of my job, I review plans from time to time; I think that some of these designers never even visit the site... I also agree with CommonCentsGal about 72 [I presume you're talking about the raised median that should just ought to be a suicide lane] and the fact that the consultants are not local--they need to stipulate that the consultants must be local.
I like the traffic signal idea at Main St. The barrier in the turn lane at Washington is confusing. And the roundabout, as has already been stated, won't work as US 61 is a truck route [I'm not seeing enough right of way to make a roundabout large enough for trucks] and most [American] people just don't understand how roundabouts are supposed to work. I like the bypass route idea that boo boo suggested, but where would it land?
If it were up to me, just ban the trucks through Jackson [I know, keep dreaming]; install traffic signals at Main St., Washington/Hope, and on the north side of the courthouse, widen the intersection north of the courthouse as much as possible, link the traffic signals, and call it a day.
The best way is to tear down the county building (old Coke plant) and bring the street from the main four way stop at an angle to Washington Eliminating the two 90 degree turns which causes most of the problems. I guarantee it will be cheaper in the long run, it is simple, and it will work.
For short term... At Washington block off the west side so people going west can't wait to cross there. I go through that intersection several times a day and many of the holdups is people waiting to cross there.
A roundabout is worthless since Washington and 61 aren't the main culprit. It is the two 90 degree turns.
You know the more I think about it the more I realize how idiotic and wasteful a roundabout would be. Fix the dang thing right!!!!!!!