Districts Impacted
Project overview
The four-mile section of U.S. Route 54 between United Road and Gray Road, south of Brazito, has a history of serious and fatal crashes. In the last 10 years, from 2015-2025, there have been 227 crashes resulting in five people losing their lives and 21 people left with serious or debilitating injuries. Of those 227 crashes, 63 percent (143 crashes) occurred in the westbound lanes and 18 percent at intersections.
More than 20,000 vehicles use this section of highway on an average day, which, when coupled with high rates of speed, and multiple intersections and median crossings, poses an increased potential for crashes. In addition, when this section of U.S. 54 was built in 1932, it was a two-lane roadway and when the roadway was expanded, the two westbound lanes stayed on the original alignment, on a curve.
MoDOT is in the planning stages of a project to enhance the safety of this corridor by reducing the number of crossings and realigning the westbound lanes of U.S. 54 to eliminate the curve, while minimizing the impact on people, property, and the environment.
PUBLIC HEARING
An open-house style informal public hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Friedens Church Brazito from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Members of the project team will be on hand to provide information, receive direct feedback, and answer questions from the community. There will be no formal presentation, so members of the public can come and go as they please. By participating and commenting, the public can help MoDOT determine what best serves the needs of the roughly 20,000 motorists who use the corridor on an average day while being responsible stewards of available funding.
Meeting Materials
Proposed Improvements
Proposed plans will be uploaded by July 14.
Proposed plans will be uploaded by July 14.
PROJECT PROGRESS
MoDOT is in the process of designing safety enhancements to U.S. 54 between United Road and Gray Road, south of Brazito, aimed at reducing the rate of fatal and serious injury crashes while minimizing impacts on people, property, and the environment. These improvements include:
- Converting several intersections along U.S. 54 to J-turns with accelerator and deceleration lanes. The proposed intersections include Route E/Pleasant Hill Road, United Road, Quail Road/Sandy Fork Road, Gray Road, Old Bass Road/Brown Road, and Fall Hill Road.
- Realigning westbound U.S. 54 from north of Old Bass Road and south of Fall Hill Road.
While most of these improvements can be made within MoDOT’s existing right-of-way, some right-of-way acquisition and temporary and permanent easements may be necessary.
The estimated cost of engineering, right-of-way, and construction is $14.4 million, subject to change.
MoDOT is hosting a four-week open comment period July 14 - Aug. 11, 2026. During this time, the community and interested parties may explore the preliminary plans for the proposed realignment, ask questions, and submit input to help guide the design and construction of the project. There are multiple ways in which the public may participate in this process:
- In-person - An open-house-style public hearing will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Friedens Church Brazito located at 9522 Pleasant Hill Rd, Jefferson City. The project team will be on hand to answer questions, provide information, and receive input about the project. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees may come and go as they please at any time during the advertised hours.
- Online - All meeting exhibits will be available on this website, and feedback may be submitted using the form below.
- By email – Send comments to CDCR@modot.mo.gov with the subject line: U.S. Route 54 safety improvements in Cole County.
- By traditional mail – Comments may be mailed to Missouri Department of Transportation, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65109, postmarked by Aug. 11, 2026. Please reference: U.S. Route 54 safety improvements in Cole County.
The project is expected to be part of MoDOT's spring 2027 letting, when contractors submit competitive bids. If awarded by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, a notice to proceed date will also be given. That is the earliest date the contractor may begin work.
Construction could begin in summer 2027 and be completed in December 2028.
ALL ABOUT J-TURNS
What are 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 – or even eliminate -- 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. In addition, acceleration lanes may be constructed to allow traffic an opportunity to gain speed after turning onto the highway.
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 eliminate or greatly reduce right-angle crashes, the crash type most responsible for fatalities and serious injuries at intersections. In fact, the installation of 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.
Recent statistics about J-turns
A recent study conducted by the University of Missouri shows that implementing the J-turn design at intersections of high-speed rural expressways and minor roads results in fewer crashes than those that are controlled by two-way stops.
MoDOT has assessed 47 different J-turn intersections in Missouri:
- The J-turn design resulted in a 40 percent reduction in crash frequency for all crashes
- Fatal and injury crashes decreased by 74 percent.
- One of the most severe crash types, the left turn, right-angle crash, was greatly reduced.
Missouri currently has 54 J-Turns and anticipates building more in the future.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What initiated this project?
Multiple intersections along this portion of the U.S. 54 corridor were identified for improvement due to the number of serious injury and fatal crashes. In designing potential alternatives, the overall alignment of westbound U.S. 54 was also identified as needing improvement.
Why is it necessary to realign westbound U.S. 54 and make changes to the intersections?
This project aims to address safety concerns along this 4-mile corridor. In the past 10 years, there have been 227 crashes resulting in five people losing their lives and 21 people left with serious or debilitating injuries. Of those 227 crashes, 63 percent (143 crashes) occurred in the westbound lanes and 18 percent at intersections.
Will this project expand the highway?
No. This project realigns westbound U.S. 54 without expanding the highway. The new roadway will have two westbound lanes with shoulders – the same as the existing configuration.
Why add in J-turns?
J-turns have been used successfully across Missouri to improve safety.
MoDOT has assessed 47 different J-turn intersections in Missouri:
- The J-turn design resulted in a 40 percent reduction in crash frequency for all crashes
- Fatal and injury crashes decreased by 74 percent.
- One of the most severe crash types, the left-turn, right-angle crash, was greatly reduced.
How will traffic be impacted during construction?
Specific traffic impacts will be determined further along in the design process, however a significant amount of work can be performed without impacts to traffic. Motorists can still expect lane closures on U.S. 54, narrowed lane, shifting traffic, and road entrance closures. At least one lane of U.S. 54 in each direction will be open throughout construction.
Who can I contact with further questions?
You may email cdcr@modot.mo.gov or call us at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636). Please reference U.S. Route 54 safety improvements in Cole County on your inquiries.
How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
Sign up for project-specific updates using the form below.
