DANGEROUS CROSSROADS GETS SIGNAL LIGHT

In an effort to improve safety at a dangerous crossing, traffic lights are being raised today for the intersection of Interstate 55 and Highway 61 between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, also known as Center Junction.

Numerous accidents at Center Junction prompted the highway department to place the traffic lights at the intersection. They should be operational in two weeks.

"We're also going to put up caution or warning signs for the lights," said Stan Johnson, a highway department engineer.

Crews were placing posts and installing wiring for the lights Wednesday. They plan to raise the lights today and Friday.

"It'll take a couple of weeks to complete the wiring," Johnson said. "Hopefully by the middle of July, it will be fully operational."

Johnson said the lights won't have sensors for the first few weeks. The lights will be timed and, depending on traffic flow, detectors will be mounted to increase efficiency.

Medical, law enforcement and highway department officials blame motorists' inattentiveness for many of the accidents at Center Junction.

Also, the design of the intersection, with four crossroads, causes confusion that has led to accidents.

In addition to the traffic lights, police officers from Cape Girardeau and Jackson have increased radar patrols in the area to stop speeders. Both departments received special grant money to enhance speed patrols because of the site's accident rate.

The Center Junction area is the leading intersection for injury accidents in Cape Girardeau. One person was killed in the area last year.