State transportation officials are seeking public input on proposed improvements to the intersections of Hwy. M at St. Luke’s Church Road and Moss Hollow Road in Barnhart.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has scheduled a public meeting from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at the Antonia Fire Protection District, 6633 Moss Hollow Road, in Barnhart.
The meeting will provide opportunities for residents to learn more and comment on the proposed improvements.
The open-house format allows those who attend to review the plans and speak with MoDOT officials.
“We want people to show up,” said Stephen O’Connor, area engineer for MoDOT. “If they want to push back, they can, and if they are for it, we would like to know that as well.”
The proposed upgrades include constructing new J-turns and offset left turns, adding new lighting at J-turns and intersections, as well as adding new signs and striping, MoDOT said.
In a J-turn, a motorist who wants to make a left turn onto Hwy. M would first turn right, then enter a dedicated left-turn lane about a half-mile past the intersection to make the turn the opposite way, but with an acceleration lane to allow for a safe merge into traffic.
MoDOT initially announced the additions of J-turns at the intersections in January 2021 and had expected to complete the projects that summer.
However, the plan was paused in February 2021 because area residents had submitted a petition bearing about 1,200 signatures seeking to put traffic lights at the two intersections, O’Connor said.
“We put it on hold for a little while and put our heads back together,” O’Connor said. “We had a roadway safety audit done by an independent consultant. They confirmed our original design is a good design. We made some minor tweaks that are incorporated in the design that we will have in the presentation (on Aug. 31). People will be able to see this is what it is going to look like.”
In February 2021, O’Connor said he doubted traffic signals would be installed at the two intersections.
“We don’t believe that’s the answer there,” he said. “This is a road where people are going at least 60 mph (the posted speed limit) and we believe they (stop lights) may make the safety situation worse. We’re not comfortable with the traffic signals.”
O’Connor said MoDOT is still anticipating the project to cost about $1 million, and it will take about a year to complete after construction starts.
Residents who cannot attend the public meeting may comment on the proposed project at surveymonkey.com/r/routem, and they can learn more about the project at modot.org/route-m.
O’Connor said even though MoDOT has determined the installation of J-turns is the best solution for the intersections, its plans can be modified.
“We will review all of the comments,” he said. “It is still proposed. It is not set in stone.”