HANNIBAL – Over the last two months, Missouri Department of Transportation officials have met with selected area residents to help determine recommendations to improve the US 61/US 24/Route F intersection south of Palmyra in Marion County. The citizen’s advisory group, or CAG, was made up of eight area residents and leaders and met twice to evaluate the options for improving safety at the intersection. “One of the CAG’s tasks was to seek input from groups they represent and bring ideas to the table,” explained MoDOT Area Engineer, Brian Haeffner, P.E., who led the discussion.
Haeffner explained there were several ideas discussed including modifying signage and changing the skew of the median crossover. Another concern of the group was the potential for conflicts where the Route F left turn overlaps with the US 24 eastbound acceleration lane. “We talked through every option at length, but we all agreed that eliminating right-angle crashes and eliminating the potential conflict area would improve safety,” he said. At the conclusion of the final CAG meeting, the group agreed some form of a J-turn intersection would accomplish both of those goals.
Background on the CAG meetings and how they came to this decision, as well as visual displays of how a J-turn intersection will improve safety at the intersection, will be available at a public meeting to be held on Thursday, February 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a formal presentation at 5:15 p.m., at the Marion County Courthouse in Palmyra. “This is an open-house style public meeting, so individuals can stop by any time within the 90-minute meeting, view the displays, and talk with MoDOT staff to learn how we can make the intersection safer. You can share your written comments either at the meeting or within 5 days,” Haeffner explained. All displays from the public meeting will be available online at www.modot.org/northeast, and comments can be made online at the link below or emailed to brian.haeffner@modot.mo.gov or by calling MoDOT customer service at 1-888-275-6636.
Haeffner noted that the improvements are not yet funded. “It is crucial we get public input before we add the project to our five-year construction program,” he said. “J-turn intersections have proven to improve safety, yet they are fairly new to Missouri,” he said. “The CAG took the time to understand the problem and supports this recommendation,” he added.