Jackson, MoDOT work out differences

It's a sure bet not everyone will walk away from dealings between the city of Jackson and the Missouri Department of Transportation over Highway 34-72 with a feeling of total satisfaction.

However, the relatively positive outcome is worth a second look for any community working with a state agency. Jackson provides a blueprint for how a city can fight for what it wants and win on some points.

Nobody has ever denied that something needs be done with the western portion of Highway 34-72. With Jackson's population growing the fastest in Southeast Missouri, and with many motorists relying on the stretch to get them from outlying communities and Bollinger County into Jackson, improvements are a must.

MoDOT studied traffic patterns in Jackson for nearly a decade, doing traffic counts and motorist surveys, and then released one of the most controversial road plans in Cape Girardeau County history. The point of most contention: MoDOT wanted a concrete median along Highway 34-72 west from the city's main intersection with left turns possible only at intersections with signals.

It's not too hard to imagine the inconvenience this would mean for those who live and own businesses along that area. Drivers would have to pass their homes and shopping opportunities, then turn around to come back to them. There were letters between Jackson and MoDOT. Citizens turned out to protest the idea. Alderman Joe Bob Baker helped organize citizens to lodge their complaints.

In the end, the city and state came together on a plan that at least allows work to proceed on the project.

Now, the median will begin three-tenths of a mile west of the intersection with Highway 25. That means a left-turn lane onto Jackson Trail, home to some of the city's largest industries. Tractor-trailers that load and unload there won't have to change their convenient turn patterns.

In all, MoDOT agreed to 11 of the 22 changes the city requested. That's good.

And there are some much-needed elements included in the 3.5-mile, $16 million project:

Replacing Hubble and Cane Creek bridges.

Adding traffic signals at South Oklahoma Street, South Farmington Road, West Main Street and East Lane.

Constructing a new hiking-biking trail connecting R.O. Hawkins Junior High School and Jackson High School.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2003.

And perhaps the best news: It's being done in phases, so nothing can stop Jackson residents from coming forward again at any point in the plan to discuss additional concerns.