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Photo by David Bloom A roundabout has been recommended at the Washington-Highway 61 intersection north of the courthouse to relieve some of the traffic congestion. The size of the roundabout is still being debated.

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Consulting firm finalizing plans for Highway 61 improvements

by David Bloom Editor

The scheduled teleconference with the City’s consulting firm, city officials and the Missouri Department of Transportation did not occur last week due to miscommunication, but the Highway 61 feasibility study and conceptual design for improvements to relieve traffic congestion is in its final stages.

Public Works Director Rodney Bollinger said the meeting will be rescheduled so MoDOT can approve the design. In the meantime, Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier, traffic and transportation engineers, submitted its recommendations to the City, and will meet with county officials as well. Cape County is involved because one of the consulting firm’s recommendations is a roundabout north of the courthouse in Jackson. Part of the courthouse lawn will be needed to build the roundabout.

The roundabout is expected to be discussed at great length, because there is not yet a consensus on the size.

The consulting firm is recommending a 130-foot diameter; several of the Jackson council members have questioned whether that is large enough.

In the report, the consultants state, “Of the most significance is that several issues that were originally identified in December and evaluated in January are still unresolved. As a result, completion of the conceptual design is currently awaiting feedback from the Missouri Department of Transportation.”

Before proceeding further with the conceptual design, Shatto said he will wait for concurrence of his recommendations from MoDOT and City staff on the following issues:

• The recommended roundabout would be a 130-foot diameter centered on High Street and slightly offset to the south of Washington Street’s centerline.

• The roundabout design should be enhanced by enlarging the radius in the northeast corner (requiring acquisition of right-of-way from the Frenzel property) by approximately 12 to 15 feet.

• Pending the concurrence of City staff and elected officials, Barton Street would be made one way southbound and Court Street one way northbound to reduce conflicts and enhance the operation of the roundabout.

• The original concept for the intersection of Washington and Hope streets was found to be infeasible because of truck accommodations.

• One alternative concept for providing the separate eastbound right turn lane would not require any widening to the intersection, but it would not be possible to provide a separate northbound left turn lane. Another alternative would provide a separate northbound left turn lane, but it would require widening in the southwest quadrant of the intersection radius. Both options would suggest the need for restricting the eastbound left turn and through movements. Conversely, based on the limited benefit of these changes, it is suggested that a no-build option be considered for this intersection.

• At the intersection of Hope and Main, 100-foot left turn bays (plus transitional tapers) should be provided for north-south traffic while westbound Main Street should have an additional 10-20 feet of storage and eastbound Main could have as little as 50-75 feet.

• Pending concurrence by the other parties, the encroachment of turning trucks on opposing left turn bays at the intersection of Hope and Main would be permissible as a design variance. Likewise, tractor trailer turns would require multiple encroachments (which is consistent with the existing condition).

• Pending MoDOT’s approval, the left turn bay on South Hope would not extend through the intersection with Adams to reduce impacts.

Bollinger hopes to have the final study completed by the end of this month. The construction timeline has not yet been determined.