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 are currently being shared for this project. Alternate 1 features modified J-turns, and Alternate 2 includes modified J-turns with offset lefts at Routes A and C.
With a J-turn, motorists will no longer cross fast-moving lanes of traffic. 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.
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