JACKSON ALDERMEN OK ROUTE D WORK

A major improvement goal for the City of Jackson became a reality Monday night when aldermen and the Missouri Department of Transportation agreed to improvements at Route D and U.S. 61.

Mayor Paul Sander said the improvements were at the top of his list of goals. "We have been working toward this goal for over a year," he said. "We would hope this project in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation would be completed by the start of school in August."

The intersection is just north of the Jackson City Park.

The arrangement passed would include four improvements to be performed by MoDOT:

-- Redesign of the intersection, including signals

-- Payment and installation of the signals

-- Restriping at the intersection

-- Relocation of signs

The city would agree to provide the following:

-- Donating right of way so Route D can be aligned with Independence Street

-- Relocation of utilities for roadway relocation

-- Payment and contracting of roadway improvements for Route D alignment

-- Relocation of park entrance

MoDOT will use its design staff to perform preliminary surveying and should have the materials needed for the work on hand in the next couple of weeks.

Sander said the project is an important safety measure. "This will be a major improvement in the traffic flow and traffic safety in Jackson."

In other business, the board voted to table amending the Land Subdivision Regulations until the June 9 meeting. Alderman Larry Cunningham made the motion to table the ordinance pending further discussion on the issue.

Aldermen accepted the comments made at a public hearing on May 5 relating to the Gloria Street Paving Project and confirmed the tax bills as issued. Sander said the board has not officially responded to the questions raised by residents during the hearing at this time.