MoDOT wants to put six roundabouts on Clayton road, between Baxter and Clarkson. A roundabout is a circle that blocks the intersection. Also planned for this stretch is to put a median that can not be crossed, along the center of the road. I believe they refer to this as "controlled access". The idea being that you will only be able to go one way on Clayton, and if your intention is to go the other way, you will have to go to the roundabout in order to turn around, to go the direction you really want to go.
MoDOT thinks this will help clear congestion, and reduce accidents. However, roundabouts, have their own particular traffic rules, with which few are familiar. It may solve congestion, but if it did, it would be the result of people avoiding Clayton Road in their travel plans.
More information regarding the plans, reasons, costs, etc, from MoDOT's website, which can be found here.
If you would like to register your comments with MoDOT, contact the following persons, who were listed on the materials distributed at the August 15th meeting which was at St. Clair church:
1-888-275-6636From my converstation with Mr. Montes de Oca, a decision will be made by MoDOT, in September, based on comments received through 9/1/00. If you do not speak out, these roundabouts will be slam dunked through the system, by these bureaucrats who have been to one to many seminars on urban road design.
MoDOT does not plan to have any more public discussions, meetings, or votes on this plan. It will all be decided "in-house", "behind closed doors", and our only input are comments made via email, or phone calls.
If you are interested in this issue, especially in quashing the roundabout idea, click here to sign up to be on a mailing list for urgent information relating to the Clayton Road Improvement Project. Also check this site periodically, when I get more information, it will be posted on this site.