Jackson board chooses boulevard design for E. Main

Jackson's East Main Street extension project will not have a turn lane, at least not at first.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen Monday night directed a Smith & Co. representative to go ahead with a boulevard design for the next phase of the Main Street project, which will eventually link Main Street to Interstate 55.

There was no vote taken, and not a lot of discussion on the issue, at Monday night's study session, but every alderman agreed that a landscaped median approach -- Smith & Co.'s recommendation -- was the right way to go.

Some consideration was given to the construction of three lanes, including a center turn lane and adding two outside lanes at a later date or constructing a five-lane path all at once.

According to Paul Ridlen from Smith & Co., the board made the right decision.

"This fits with the use of the street as an arterial," he said. "It will be safer, it fits with the land use and allows flexibility for the developers and the city."

Alderman Barbara Lohr pointed out that flexibility was a plus: If the city later decided that a continuous turn lane was needed, it could be put in.

One of the benefits of the boulevard approach, Ridlen said, was that the city can have control over where it puts turn lanes and entrances.

Undeveloped property

The situation is different from the Missouri Department of Transportation's widening of highways 34 and 72 from Hope Street to the city limits which upset area business and property owners. In that case, many businesses and homes were already established.

The property that will be affected by the Main Street extension is undeveloped.

The aldermen also indicated that aesthetic value was also taken into consideration.

"Hopefully, Jackson will have a nice entrance to the city," Ridlen said. "We have the option of planting flowers, shrubs or whatever. It could be a showcase to the entrance into town to convey the community pride that Jackson is known for."

Ridlen said the engineering firm hopes to have 50 percent of the design work done by the end of the month and said it was feasible for the city to start moving dirt in October.

Andy Meyer, a project designer with MoDOT, said the boulevard option is in line with the state's plans. He said MoDOT is working on preliminary plans of the interchange.

"We have a rough idea where the interchange is going and we're finalizing that location," he said. Meyer said MoDOT will hold a public meeting concerning the interchange location before proceeding, then the plans and public input will be sent to the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for review.

He said MoDOT is also currently studying the environmental and cultural impact that may occur from this project.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635