Jackson adding traffic signal before new school opens

As the city of Jackson continues to grow, so does its traffic problem.

The city is working with the Missouri Department of Transportation to address the bottleneck at the intersection of Main Street and U.S. 61 near the courthouse, but isn't narrowing its focus solely to that area.

At a Wednesday night town hall meeting, Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr said the uptown intersection has long been the city's top traffic problem. But one upcoming project is the result of city officials anticipating needs instead of being reactive in their decision-making.

Construction of the new East Elementary School is exciting, but Lohr said the city has learned from past expansions such facilities come with baggage. Lohr recalled the difficulties after the opening of South Elementary. Opened in 1998, it's the newest elementary building in the district.

Jackson and MoDOT teamed in 2009 to create a plan to address congestion around the school that caused accidents and raised concerns about student safety. The result was a Highway 25 project that included a widened road with turn lanes, a traffic signal to assist with entry and exit from the school and a redesigned parking area.

Lohr said before construction began on East Elementary, the city conducted a traffic study to check on possible traffic issues. Public works director Rodney Bollinger said the study was completed in February 2013.

It was no surprise the study showed East Elementary's prekindergarten through fifth-grade campus at 455 N. Lacey St. would bring much heavier traffic to the area, Lohr said. That's why a traffic signal will be installed at Lacey and East Main streets.

The city recently started advertising for bids for construction of the traffic signal, along with pavement widening, sidewalk construction and other improvements. All submissions are due by Feb. 19. Bollinger said the city's construction budget for the improvements is $350,000.

The signal, which remains in the design stage, should be built and ready to operate before the school's opening, Lohr said. East Elementary is expected to be finished later this year, and the mayor said it's important to take steps to protect student safety so they are already in place by that time.

"It's the city's responsibility to keep our schools and our children safe," she said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

East Main Street and Lacey Street, Jackson, Mo.

455 N. Lacey St., Jackson, Mo.