MoDOT Holds Community Briefing to Discuss J-Turn Intersections in New Madrid County

SIKESTON-The Missouri Department of Transportation will hold a community briefing from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 to discuss improvements at the Route 60/Route E intersection and Route 60/Route FF intersection in New Madrid County. The briefing will be held at MoDOT’s Southeast District Office, located at 2675 North Main Street in Sikeston.

"Visitors can stop-by anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to discuss the details of the project with a member of the project team and provide their comments," said Project Manager Pete Berry.

The project will include reconfiguring the two intersections with j-turns, in an effort to improve safety and traffic flow.

“Traditional intersections have approximately 42 conflict points. J-turns can help reduce this number to as few as 24 conflict points,” said Berry. “In addition, these types of conflict points do not typically lead to as severe crashes.”

To navigate a j-turn, instead of crossing two lanes of traffic, drivers will turn right in the same direction as traffic and then safely merge into the left lane to turn. Drivers will then turn left to rejoin traffic on the divided highway.

Intersection improvements could begin as early as spring 2014, with completion anticipated by fall 2014. As work is underway, Route 60 will be reduced to one-lane traffic in each direction at times near the intersection locations. In addition, short-term median closures will be necessary at times.

Online Meeting: