Public Invited To Provide Input On Intersections
Over the last few months, Missouri Department of Transportation officials have met with selected area residents to help determine what recommendations could be presented to the public to improve Scotts and Bassinger Corners on US 54/MO 19 in Audrain County.
The citizen’s advisory group, or CAG, was made up of six area residents and leaders and met twice to evaluate the options most feasible. “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 presented including reducing the speed limit and additional signage. “We talked through every option at length including the cost, yet there were two important aspects of the intersections they agreed on and that was to reduce driver speed and eliminate right-angle crashes,” he said. At the conclusion of the final CAG meeting, it was agreed the recommendation of rural, high-speed roundabouts would be presented to the public for their input.
Background on the CAG meetings and how they came to this decision, as well as visual displays of how roundabouts will improve safety at these intersections will be available at a public meeting to be held on Thursday, February 16 from 4:30-6 p.m., with a formal presentation at 5:15 p.m., at the Community R-VI School cafeteria in Laddonia.
“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 intersections safer, then share your written comments either at the meeting or within five days,” Haeffner explained. All displays from the public meeting will be available online at www.modot.org/northeast, and comments can be email to brian.haeffner@modot.mo.gov or by calling 660-349-0892.
Haeffner noted that the improvements are not yet funded, the improvements could be done in the same year, or different years, and, even though roundabouts are the recommendation for both, there may be some differences in the design. “This is why it is crucial we get public input,” he said. “Rural, high-speed roundabouts 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.
