Jackson traffic proposal focuses on 3 intersections

The city of Jackson presented the recommendations to ease traffic congestion in uptown Jackson at a public hearing Monday night.

The study, prepared by the traffic engineering firm of Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier of St. Louis, focused on potential improvements to three intersections in Jackson's uptown district: Washington Street at High Street, Washington Street at Hope Street and Hope Street at Main Street.

About 30 residents attended the hearing, who mostly asked about the roundabout that was in earlier versions of the plan.

Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr told them the roundabout is no longer an option.

"We realized it took a lot of real estate and a lot of the courthouse lawn. We were going to practically be on their steps," she said. "At this point in time, that is not a consideration because of the real estate impact and the monetary impact it would have."

Proposed changes for the Washington Street and High Street intersection are prohibiting westbound traffic and eastbound left turns. Proposed changes for the Washington Street and Hope Street intersection are prohibiting eastbound, westbound and southbound left turns. Pavement markings and overhead signage would be used at both areas to ease confusion and help guide truck traffic through the intersections.

At the third intersection, Hope Street and Main Street, a traffic light and left-turn lanes would be introduced. That would require some street widening south of the intersection to Adams Street. There would also be a loss of parking spaces on Main Street near the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

City administrator Jim Roach said the study is merely a proposal to ease congestion and is not an approved plan.

Roach said the cost of the entire project would be about $500,000 and the city would explore funding opportunities, including sharing the cost with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The firm that performed this study has worked with the city in the past, and Roach said he is optimistic the proposals would help traffic flow.

"I have a pretty high level of confidence in this firm. We have a history with them. I have a pretty high level of confidence in what they are saying," he said.

The proposal will now go to MoDOT for review.

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO