MoDOT halts U.S. 60 road diet plan west of Black River

Following a spirited meeting with community stakeholders last October, the Missouri Department of Transportation acquiesced on converting Pine Street/U.S. Business 60 to a road diet west of the Black River.

However, MoDOT is still pursuing the new configuration for the eastern side up to the Route B interchange. A road diet would take the four-lane road and condense it to single 12-foot east and westbound lanes with a 14-foot turn lane in the middle.

At the October meeting, community leaders expressed strong opposition to the proposed scheme. The primary objections were traffic backup at signals, rush hour congestion, and emergency vehicle accessibility.

“I’m very grateful MoDOT listened to what we have to say,” Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter said.

According to MoDOT Transportation Project Manager Curt Woolsey, MoDOT’s primary aim with the new scheme is to improve safety.

“There are several entrances east of the bridge, a lot of businesses, a lot of driveways,” Woolsey affirmed, “East of the river, I see a lot of potential for safety improvements.”

The westbound bridge would have two lanes while the eastbound bridge would be condensed from two to one lane. Having received over 100 comments from residents about the original plan, Woolsey noted MoDOT has a strong desire to take in community input.

“We want to make sure there’s a level of comfort there before we pursue it,” he added, “We haven’t made up our minds that we’re going to do this.”

Halter said limiting the scheme to the east side of the river was a fair solution.

“That’s probably a good compromise for the community and for MoDOT,” he stated.

MoDOT will hold a second community meeting at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13 at the Poplar Bluff Police Department to solicit feedback on the new plan. Neither Halter nor Woolsey anticipated strong pushback from the community.

“We hope to be able to make a decision that day,” Woolsey said.

Halter applauded the efforts of local leaders and their united front against the original road diet scheme.

“When it comes to the big stuff, we always pull together,” he expressed, “I appreciate the fact that everyone came together.”