Jackson traffic study heads into final phase

It's no surprise that the report recently received from the engineering firm hired to study's Jackson's traffic problems contains no surprises. Crawford, Bunte, Brammeir has apprised the city of its findings and recommendations all through the process that began a year ago.

The extension of East Main Street from Oak Hill Road to Old Orchard Road, a project that will cost $3.5 million, is the company's top priority for long-term improvements. Second is extending Shawnee Boulevard from Ridge Road to Greensferry Road to create a new north-south artery the engineers say is badly needed. The estimated cost of that project is $2 million.

There are 16 prioritized long-term projects. Another seven long-term projects have been given no priority because "they were considered too remote or tied to long-term growth to have garnered support at this time," the report says. Another six short-term projects have been recommended, including improvements around heavily congested courthouse square.

The advisory committee organized to provide feedback to the engineers will meet later this month to discuss the draft report.

'Glad we did it'

City officials are still sorting through the 92-page report, which also includes numerous maps and an appendix.

"Overall I'm satisfied and glad we did it," said city administrator Jim Roach. "It is a good effort and provided us with some fresh ideas. That's what we needed."

One of the company's short-term recommendations, to adjust the intersection of East Main Street and Shawnee Boulevard, already is being designed. To prevent traffic turning south onto East Main Street from backing up, another left-turn lane is being added to Shawnee Boulevard. In addition, the stop signs just north on Old Cape Road will be removed with the intent of further reducing congestion at the intersection. That cost is $74,400.

That is expected to be built this year.

Work on another recommendation to realign the Farmington Road-Route DD intersection is due to begin in the spring. That is a Department of Transportation project to be paid for by the state.

Suggestions for streamlining traffic around the courthouse square probably will be one of the first the city looks at, Roach said. The engineers say the best way to move traffic along U.S. 61 in the area is to put a roundabout at the intersection of High at Washington Street on the north side of the square. The roundabout is one element of a solution that also involves channelization of the Hope/Washington intersection, signalization of Hope and Main and widening Hope Street from Jackson Boulevard to Main Street.

Used computer models

As in the Shawnee Boulevard-East Main Street intersection, the city well knew it needed to fix problems around courthouse square but didn't know how, Roach said. The engineering firm came up with its solution through the use of computer models of traffic movements.

"They were looking at it from the whole big picture," Roach said. "That's what they do, what they're experts at."

Alderman Larry Cunningham is the chairman of the city's Major Street Construction Priority Committee, which made the initial suggestion to hire a traffic consultant.

"It's one of the better things we're done," he said. "The staff is very happy with them and take their recommendations a lot of the time and weigh them heavily."

The engineering firm also has won concessions from MoDOT on the agency's project widening Highways 34/72 to four lanes through the city. That project will begin this year.

"Just because of the timing of getting them onboard, that project on Highway 34/72 worked out great for us," Roach said. "We had experts onboard right when they could lean on them a little bit."

He said the company not only advocated for Jackson but also was useful in explaining MoDOT's positions to the city.

Roach said the city administration hasn't yet analyzed projects are financially doable. Cunningham says the city realizes that the projects amount to "big bucks."

"It's somewhat of a wish list," he said. "We won't be able to afford a lot of those things. At least the problem areas will be identified."

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182