J-turns becoming more accepted

A pickup waits Monday for traffic to clear the J-turn intersection on U.S. 54 at Honey Creek Road. Photo by Kelley McCall.

By Jeff Haldiman

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Road crews have completed the roadway work at seven of 12 intersections identified for safety and traffic flow improvements along approximately 8.5 miles of U.S. 54 between Route CC and Old Bass Road, south of Jefferson City.

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The most notable improvements are the placing of J-turns, which is seen by highway officials as an alternative to traditional roadway intersections on a four-lane highway.

Instead of motorists crossing lanes of traffic to get to the opposing lanes, drivers at a “J-turn” intersection turn right in the same direction of traffic, merge into the left lane, and then make a left turn in the direction they intend to travel.

Although drivers will have to travel slightly farther to get where they want to go, MoDOT officials have said using “J-turns” can take the same or less time than trying to wait for a safe and appropriate gap to cross traffic.

J-turns that have been completed include one at Route E and two J-turns at Honey Creek Road, Heritage Highway and Peschang Parkway. One goes to Honey Creek on one side and on the other side there’s a turn going to Heritage Highway.

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honeycreek 1 year, 5 months ago

Are you nuts? Make this turn, don't cross the yellow line and you will be off the road. It don't line up with Honey Creek rd.

J-turns becoming more accepted? This is a U-turn on a 4 lane highway with no warning signs for Rt. 54 traffic they will never know how to drive thru this bad design. The first death at anyone of these locations should be considered murder by Modot.

JCLifer 1 year, 5 months ago

All the good engineers at MO-DOT work in KC or St. Louis. Here in Central Missouri, the best we can get is wonderful MO-DOT inventions like the Tri-Level; the 54 "S"-Curve of Death; the Dix Road Connector; the 179 fustercluck; the WalMart East Round-a-bouts of Weeds; and now the J-Turns of Death on 54.

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 5 months ago

I agree with you two. The first person to die at each one of these new nightmares should get that stretch of highway named after him or her. The MODOT director and the governor should have to work on the crew that puts up the signs. Call your representatives and senators.

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