Jackson schools, city, MoDOT reach agreement on South Elementary traffic issues

The city of Jackson, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Jackson School District have entered into an agreement to relieve traffic congestion at South Elementary School.

A stoplight and turn lanes will be installed at the school entrance on Highway 25, said Jackson city administrator Jim Roach.

During peak times before and after school, traffic backs up for about 15 minutes on school property and onto the highway. The congestion has caused accidents and has raised student safety concerns among school and city officials.

Roach said the Jackson Board of Aldermen approved the project Monday. The Jackson School Board approved the agreement Tuesday, said superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson.

The school opened in 1998, and the district started its first preschool program there in 2002. As its enrollment grew, traffic congestion increased, Anderson said.

During school, teachers help keep the line of traffic moving and the bus schedule is staggered to avoid the heavy traffic.

"We do our best to keep it moving and be safe, but it's just a challenge," Anderson said.

Additional programs brought in more staff and vehicles in the parking area. The plan will include an expansion of the school's parking lot. The entrance lanes will also be widened, Anderson said.

"It'll improve the school side of it, and it will improve the road," he said.

The city, school and MoDOT have been meeting for almost a year to solve the problem but could not agree on a solution.

"We all had our own ideas," Roach said.

The three entities hired Burns and McDonnell, a consulting firm in St. Louis, to do an analysis. The cost of the study, $12,600, was split between the three organizations. Roach said the groups agreed to accept the firm's recommendation going into the study, which was completed in May.

The project will cost $750,000 with each entity contributing $250,000 unless federal funding can be secured. In April, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau requested funds for the project in the federal budget. The appropriation cleared the subcommittee on transportation, housing and urban development. It is being considered in the House version of the budget.

MoDOT is working on the design plans, said Craig Compas, District 10 traffic engineer. Crews have been surveying the property. Construction should begin in next summer and be complete by the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, he said.

"It's one of those deals, it's extensive enough that work could not be done while school's in," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1701 S. Hope St. Jackson, MO