Jackson takes in-depth looks at traffic needs

Jackson has established itself as Southeast Missouri's growth capital. People flocked to Jackson in the 1990s, building homes and opening businesses and spurring population growth that makes other cities in the area look on in wonder.

The population grew by a more-than-impressive 29 percent between 1990 and 2000, the latest census figures show. The total is approaching 12,000. Cape Girardeau, in contrast, grew by 2.5 percent.

The reason for the difference could be debated at length, but one thing is for sure: Where you have more people, you have more cars. And that means more traffic jams.

It may seem ridiculous to talk about traffic jams in a city of 12,000, but only to people who haven't been backed up three or four blocks from the intersection of Main and Hope streets near the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse.

Folks who have made the slow commute on East Jackson Boulevard around 7:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. know the drill too. The fact of the matter is, Jackson's streets weren't built for a town of more than a few thousand people. And, like any city poised for massive growth, its leaders know they have to make some changes if they are to ensure the future.

And that's why those leaders are being thoughtful and taking their time with a 20-year plan to improve traffic flow.

It started months ago with the selection of 34 stakeholders: business and community leaders with strong support of Jackson and understanding of its needs. And it is continuing with diagrams, maps and public meetings.

The board of aldermen hired a St. Louis engineering firm for $100,000 to write the traffic plan. Representatives of Crawford, Bunte and Brammeier were in Jackson last week to explain what they've got so far.

The top priority is the East Main Street extension and a new intersection with Interstate 55.

Other projects include:

Establishing Jackson Trail as a south circumferential road -- one that goes around a neighborhood -- from Lee Avenue west to West Lane.

Extending Shawnee Boulevard north to Deerwood Drive.

Establishing Deerwood Drive as a north circumferential road from Greensferry Road west to West Lane.

Creating a new western circumfrential road, Cooper, west of West Lane.

Mayor Paul Sander says reaction to the ideas has been positive. The engineering firm conducted a public meeting on the plan this week, and 13 members of the public showed up to inform themselves and offer opinions and suggestions. The stakeholders were there too.

That's a lot of people to get interested in a subject like traffic patterns. But anyone interested in the future of Jackson, and in being able to get from point A to point B in a car without too much hassle, should come to future meetings and avail themselves of the experts.