(COLUMBIA, MO) -
The City of Columbia Public Works Department announced on Dec. 1 that the new traffic signals at the intersection of State Route B and Waco Road are scheduled to begin operation on Tuesday, Dec. 5 after the morning traffic peak, weather permitting.
The Waco and Route B Intersection Improvement project, which began on Oct. 9, includes new mast arm signals, raised islands, pedestrian crosswalks and restricted turning movements for the driveways located closest to the intersection.
The City of Columbia and the Missouri Department of Transportation-Central District worked together on the project. The estimated investment cost was $380,000 funded through the 2015 Capital Improvement Sales Tax.
Message boards will be posted in the area to alert motorists prior to turning on the signals. MoDOT also plans to add permanent safety indicators on Route B to alert motorists of the new signals.
"We are adding an advanced interactive warning sign which will warn motorists of a ‘red' signal ahead," MoDOT Senior Traffic Studies Specialist John Schaefer said. "We are also adding an additional signal head in the southbound direction, headed towards the City, due to the curvature of the road into the signal."
From 2011 through 2015, there were eight crashes at this intersection with seven injuries. It is anticipated that the intersection will see increased traffic with the expansion of Kraft/Heinz and the future Aurora Dairy.
"This is an important improvement for this corridor and heavily used intersection. This should substantially increase the safety of commuters and everyone working in this vital industrial area of the City," Public Works Director David Nichols said.
More information about the project is available at CoMo.gov/publicworks/waco-routeb.
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