Jackson traffic plan up for input

JACKSON, Mo. -- The consultants designing a new Comprehensive Traffic Plan for Jackson are ready to switch gears from the well-received short-term proposals they announced in May to long-range transportation proposals.

Improvements to the U.S. 61-Independence Street intersection and establishing a connection between U.S. 61 North and Shawnee Boulevard are two examples of long-range proposals the company is prepared to talk about.

"Many are already part of the city's major street construction plan," said Doug Shatto, vice president of Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier of St. Louis. "Some we feel are more important than others."

Tuesday, the public is invited to hear a brief presentation about the progress of the study and its initial proposals. Afterward, city officials and representatives of the engineering firm will be available to answer questions.

The public presentation will take place immediately after the second meeting of members from the stakeholders committee, a group of Jackson business and community leaders recruited to provide input into the Jackson Comprehensive Transportation Plan commissioned by the city earlier this year.

Gauging the community

The public meeting enables the company to gauge where a community wants to go; for instance, whether it places more importance on growth and development or on maintaining its small-town atmosphere, Shatto said.

"It's an important part of the decision-making process," he said. "When you're dealing with a transportation plan of this nature, you're trying to weave it in with the community's values."

Redirecting traffic affects people's lives. For example, connecting Shawnee Boulevard and U.S. 61 North could incorporate some existing residential streets or could mean trying to develop a new alignment.

"Frankly, it's not going to be an easy task," Shatto said. "We're not expecting the city is going to want to bulldoze through a developed area."

The company's final recommendations will be dictated by the city's priorities, Shatto said. "We're going to throw a lot of these out on the table. One of the purposes is to get some sense of priorities, goals and objectives from the stakeholders as well as the general public."

This will not be the final public meeting. Another will be held to talk about the consultant's final draft. But Tuesday will be a good opportunity to provide guidance to the aldermen, public works director Rodney Bollinger said.

"We're encouraging folks to come and talk to officials and help identify our future needs," he said.

The consulting firm initially planned to make its final recommendations for the plan in October. Bollinger said it will take longer, but the final report should be in before the holidays.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182