Show-Me State Times

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is set to enhance safety on Business 60/Pine Street in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, by introducing a dedicated center left turn lane. This development follows feedback from local citizens and community leaders, which prompted MoDOT to revisit the project plans.

Curt Woolsey, MoDOT Project Manager, stated, "When we first started the conversation about this project, questions and concerns were raised by Poplar Bluff citizens and community leaders." In response to these concerns, adjustments have been made to the project limits. The revised plan will now cover the area from the east end of the Black River bridge to North Riverview Drive.

Mark Croarkin, MoDOT District Engineer, highlighted that the updated plan addresses early concerns. "Ultimately, we feel this project offers too many safety benefits to simply abandon the idea," he said. The changes aim to reduce higher-than-average rear-end collisions in this section of roadway while balancing community input with safety improvements.

As part of the updates, driving lanes will be widened from 10 feet to 12 feet, along with a new 14-foot-wide center turn lane. This configuration will change an undivided four-lane road into a three-lane setup east of the Black River, consisting of one eastbound lane, a center turn lane, and one westbound lane.

The safety initiative will coincide with a resurfacing project scheduled between Route W and Route B. This resurfacing is expected to begin in April 2025 and conclude by fall 2026. Post-resurfacing plans include restriping; while the section west of the Black River remains unchanged, the eastern section will feature a center turn lane.

For further details or inquiries regarding this project, individuals can reach out to MoDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/PBRoadDiet.