What are the proposed safety improvements on Route 67?
Based on the research conducted during the RSA, accommodating crossing movements via J-Turns and modifying how motorists make left-turns onto Route 67 from side streets, are considered the most cost-effective solutions that will function well into the future.
MoDOT is presenting its proposed plan to improve the existing at-grade intersections along Route 67 at Cinder Road, Red School Road, Route 94/Richard Drive, and St. Charles Street:
Proposed Design: J-Turns south of Cinder Road and north of Route 94/Richard Drive with offset left turn lane to St. Charles St. from northbound US Route 67 and crossovers for emergency and authorized vehicles only, north of Cinder Road and north of Richard Drive.
Proposed improvements include:
- Eliminating the existing signal and all median crossovers between northbound and southbound US Route 67 and constructing J-Turns
- Improving/adding acceleration and deceleration lanes at cross streets
- Realigning the curve along southbound US Route 67 just north of the Route 94 intersection
- Drainage, signing, lighting and guardrail improvements along the US Route 67 corridor
- Construct offset left-turn lane from northbound US Route 67 to St. Charles Street
MoDOT’s historical experience with J-Turns anticipates the percentage of fatal and serious injury crashes to be reduced by approximately 80% and the total crashes along the corridor to be reduced by 25%. Implementing the proposed J-Turns with an offset left from northbound US Route 67 to St. Charles St. will reduce the number of conflict points by 60% along the corridor. J-Turns will also limit collision opportunities and, most typically, the severity of such collisions. The offset left turn to St. Charles St. specifically considers the balance of safety, operations, and user convenience in reducing travel time, especially given that the corridor is used by farmers and other large trucks/vehicles in the West Alton area.
Why is the traffic signal at Route 94/Richard Drive intersection being removed and not replaced on this project?
The existing signalized intersection on Route 67 at the Route 94/Richard Road intersection is the only remaining signalized intersection in the nine-mile corridor between I-270 and Alton, Illinois. The signalized intersection was evaluated early in the project as part of the RSA, and it is experiencing a higher than anticipated number of crashes. Non-compliance at the signalized intersection, poor driver perceptions and driver behaviors have resulted in several chronic safety issues at this intersection.
Proposed Improvements Designs
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.
The facts about J-turns
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.
Once construction is complete of the J-Turns, will I still have access to both directions of Route 67 and will it take me longer to get around?
Access from Cinder Road, Red School Road, Route 94/Richard Drive and St. Charles St. will be maintained but due to the elimination of the median crossovers between southbound and northbound Route 67, traffic movements will be different and may include out of direction travel.
What are the anticipated impacts to traffic during construction?
During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on US Route 67. When construction is taking place on southbound US Route 67, both directions of US Route 67 traffic will be placed on the northbound US Route 67 roadway in order to reduce closure time. Access to cross streets along the corridor may be restricted for short periods of time in order to make improvements. Additional information will be provided on MoDOT’s website once construction actually begins along US Route 67.
Is MoDOT doing anything to prevent wildlife along US 67 from being hit during this project?
MoDOT is planning to install a temporary wildlife barrier along northbound US Route 67 to reduce opportunities for wildlife to cross lanes of US 67 particularly when all traffic is placed on the northbound roadway during construction. The use of a temporary traffic barrier is expected to be minimal on the project and no permanent barrier separating the directions of US 67 is expected on this project.