MoDOT outlines two options to end left turns at busy corner

Some of Jackson's city and school officials don't agree on a proposed change that would eliminate left turns from Missouri Street onto Jackson Boulevard and vice versa.

The school district cited safety concerns when it requested that the Missouri Department of Transportation eliminate left turns as part of its upcoming Highway 34/72 widening project.

The intersection lies between the city's police station and the high school campus, and it is the first intersection west of Jackson's busiest crossroad, the junction of East Jackson Boulevard and Hope Street.

The traffic that spills from that intersection makes turning left difficult at Missouri Street.

At Monday night's study session of the Jackson Board of Aldermen, MoDOT project manager Eric Krapf outlined two options at fulfilling the school district's request.

One option was to build an island at the mouth of Missouri Street, which would allow right turns onto and from Missouri. The other option was to build a median in the middle of Jackson Boulevard.

Alderman David Reiminger was particularly vocal in opposition of the changes. He said eliminating left turns would create worse traffic problems, particularly after sporting events when traffic flow would be directed back into the heart of the traffic.

He added that statistics don't show that the left turn is unsafe. According to the police department, there were no accidents last year involving a motorist making a left turn from Missouri. However, there were nine accidents in 2003 involving a left turn onto Jackson Boulevard from the gas station just east of the Missouri intersection.

Regardless of the statistics, some believe the intersection is dangerous.

"Making a left-hand, yes, I do think it's dangerous," said Carol Woods, the director of transportation for the school district. "There's a hill in both directions. I'm fortunate that I haven't seen an accident."

Reiminger was the only alderman to voice all-out opposition to eliminating the left turn. Others are taking a let's-see approach.

"I do think we need to look at some things before the city gives its blessing," said Alderwoman Barbara Lohr.

Krapf, the MoDOT project manager, wouldn't say how the issue will be determined.

"We were contacted by the school and we were trying to be accommodating to that request," he said. "Before we did that, we wanted to talk to the affected property owners and let this particular decision be left up to the property owners."

bmiller@semissourian.com

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