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News covering policy and issues related to city and county governments in the Ozarks.

City of Springfield to Test New Right Turn Lanes

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Starting tomorrow (7/26), Springfield Public Works will test out the safety benefits of a new right-turn lane design.  The pilot study will be conducted at the intersection of Battlefield and Campbell.

The new intersection design, recommended by the Federal Highway Administration, features a tighter turn angle.  Temporary rumble strips simulating a new curb line will be installed on the right-turn approaches on the northeast and southeast corners—turns with a traditionally high frequency of crashes.  According to the city, the new design accommodates wide-turning vehicles like semi-trucks and trailers.

A news release from the city states that crash history shows motorists traveling in the right turn lane are much more likely to be involved in a rear-end crash than when traveling in any other lane.  Crash data has sown that turns with a large radius allow faster approach speeds and cause drivers to lose sight of the vehicle in front of them, resulting in rear-end crashes.

Funding has been designated through the voter-approved 1/8-cent Transportation Sales Tax to make safety and capacity improvements to several Springfield intersections with a goal of increasing right-turn lane safety.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.