Districts Impacted
Project Summary
The project includes removing the current median crossovers on U.S. Route 67 at Routes A and C in Cherokee Pass and improving the intersections.
These intersections have been identified for a safety improvement project using historical crash data, specifically examining the types of crashes occurring in these locations.
Two alternates were shared during the public meeting: Alternate 1 featuring modified J-turns, and Alternate 2 including modified J-turns with offset lefts at Routes A and C.
Alternate 2 is currently under construction. The final design shifts the deceleration lane to allow tractor trailers and large equipment to enter it straight‑on, while still retaining the offset left‑turn features preferred by the public.
Construction Update: May 18 - Dec. 4, 2026
Northbound and southbound U.S. Route 67 in Madison County will be reduced to one lane with a 16-foot width restriction as contractor crews construct a J-turn.
This section of roadway is located from Route A to Route C at Cherokee Pass, south of Fredericktown, Missouri.
The project includes removing the current median crossovers on U.S. 67 at Routes A and C in Cherokee Pass and improving the intersections by constructing a J-turn. The improvements will feature a J-turn with offset lefts and shifted deceleration lanes to allow tractor trailers and large equipment to enter straight-on.
Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, May 18 through Friday, Dec. 4, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The work zone will be in place 24 hours a day until work is completed.
Project Timeline
U.S. 67/Route A Crash Type Map
U.S. 67/Route C Crash Type Map
View the Meeting Handout
This handout was shared at the public meeting on Aug. 4, 2025.
Alternate 1: Modified J-Turns
Alternate 2: Modified J-Turns with Offset Lefts
About J-Turns
The J-turn is an alternative to traditional roadway intersections on a four-lane highway. Instead of motorists crossing fast-moving lanes of traffic to get to the opposing lanes, drivers at a J-turn intersection turn right in the same direction of traffic, merge into the left lane, and then make a U-turn in the direction they intend to travel. Although drivers will have to travel slightly further to get where they want to go, using J-turns can take the same or less time than trying to wait for a safe and appropriate gap to cross traffic.
The point of these turns is to greatly reduce a significant number of severe crashes common when drivers must cross-over busy highways to reach another road.
In the J-turn design drivers turn right in the same direction of traffic, and merge safely into the left lane to prepare to make a left turn in the direction they intended to travel. This option uses an extended deceleration lane, basically adding a third lane on the highway to allow traffic making a left turn onto opposing lanes to safely pull off the mainline, out of the way of high speed traffic.
How do J-turns enhance safety?
J-turns have proven to be a safer alternative to a traditional roadway intersection on a four-lane highway because they greatly reduce right-angle crashes, also known as T-bone crashes. This crash type is typically the most responsible for fatalities and serious injuries at intersections. In fact, J-turns at similar intersections throughout Missouri and the nation have shown a substantial decrease in fatal and serious injury crashes. Basically, they eliminate the need for motorists to cross the high-speed lanes of traffic to get to the opposing lanes.
Studies done by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program show J-turns provide significant reduction in right-angle, “far” side crashes.
MoDOT has assessed 19 different J-turn intersections in Missouri and collected the following data.
For More Information
Chris Crocker
Title
Project Manager
Department
Southeast District
Contact Info
(573) 380-1658
(573) 380-1658