Fewer Traffic Jams Promised by New Construction Project
Date Posted: November 15, 2022
Posted In: News, Projects,
From Lincoln News Now: For years, traffic on Missouri Route 47 has backed up daily, especially at the U.S. Highway 61 interchange, due to the fact a small bridge has outlived its usefulness in a growing city.
Which makes the Missouri Department of Transportation’s plan to correct the problem, in the eyes of many, long overdue.
During a public meeting on Nov. 3 at the Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Community Room, the plan was unveiled for the improvement of the area in an open-house style environment where visitors were able to see maps of the project and ask questions.
Planning for the project began four years ago, according to MoDOT Transportation Project Manager Christopher Knapp.
“We’ve known there have been issues at Hwy 61 and 47, and traffic has had problems – and increasing in the area,” he said. “Also, the bridge (on Hwy 47) is nearing the end of its lifespan.”
With an estimated cost of $15 million, MoDOT plans to, among other things, eliminate the at-grade crossing of U.S. 61 at North Lincoln Drive and Dugan Lane, as well as extend the outer road at Dugan Lane all the way to Frenchman’s Bluff Road, which would provide safer access to Hwy 47 – and reduce the high number of accidents in the area.
However, the largest undertaking of the project is to replace the overpass/bridge at Route 47 altogether, and constructing a diverging diamond interchange. These interchanges can be found in St. Charles County at the Mid-Rivers Mall exit in St. Peters, and the First Capitol Drive exit in St. Charles City.
An additional lane in each direction will also be widened to improve traffic flow, making the interchange even more efficient.