New traffic signal coming to Broadway

A new traffic signal soon will be installed at the intersection of Broadway and Henderson Avenue.

The installation is a joint effort between the city and Southeast Missouri State University to ensure student safety and alleviate traffic congestion.

Angela Meyer, director of facilities management at Southeast, said discussion of a traffic signal and push buttons for pedestrian crossing began in the summer of 2008 when the university acquired land at the southwest corner of Broadway and Henderson to be used for student parking. Because residence halls are on the north side of the street, students must cross four lanes of traffic to reach the parking lot.

Meyer said this left many officials at the university concerned about student safety, which is why they coordinated with the city on the project.

"Together, we worked to develop a set of plans, came up with financial plans and now we're finally getting to implement them," Meyer said.

According to city engineer Casey Brunke, the university also collaborated with the city on the cost of the nearly $200,000 project. She said the company contracted to install the signal is preparing the area where the poles will be installed.

"The poles and supporting arms and all the other equipment for the signal will come in around mid-August, and the construction should only take a couple of weeks," Brunke said. "It's actually taking longer to get the equipment in than it will to install it."

Brunke said the signal would provide a needed designated crosswalk for pedestrians and would alleviate traffic congestion at the primary entrance to the university.

"If you've ever tried to make a left-hand turn there onto Henderson, crossing those two lanes of traffic, it can be difficult," she said.

Since 2005, two traffic accidents have been reported at the intersection, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The reports said both accidents occurred because of failure to yield, and one resulted in disabling injuries to a pedestrian.

Brunke said Broadway will not be closed during the traffic signal's installation, although it's possible some temporary lane closures could occur. She said construction will be paused the weekend of Aug. 23 when students return to the university to begin moving into residence halls.

The new signal will be placed near two others -- one at the Broadway-West End Boulevard intersection near Capaha Park, the other near Houck Stadium at the Pacific Street intersection -- but Brunke said she doesn't expect this to cause any problems.

"Even if the light isn't directly linked to all the others ... all the timers and signals can be adjusted, so I don't anticipate any backups in either direction," she said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Broadway and Henderson Avenue, Cape Girardeau, MO