STATING THE OBVIOUS: LOTS OF ACCESS NEAR TRAFFIC SIGNALS CREATES CONGESTION

A Missouri Department of Transportation traffic planner last week gave Cape Girardeau officials some pointers on how access to businesses near traffic signals can slow traffic on busy streets.

The fact is, motorists who frequent Kingshighway and Route K on the west side of town don't need a highway official to tell them that too many entrances, exits and traffic signals slow traffic considerably and pose all kinds of hazards on busy commercial streets.

City officials, especially street planners, need to take some of the state planner's suggestions seriously. Among them: consolidation of driveways, building raised medians and limiting access near traffic signals.

Taking these things into consideration in planning for future development along major thoroughfares can improve the slow-going Cape Girardeans face every day on these two streets.