Council approves MoDOT agreement to pursue intersection upgrades at High Street and Highway 100

The council agreed Monday to advance an intersection improvement agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation for High Street at Highway 100, which would add dual left-turn lanes for northbound and southbound traffic, a dedicated northbound-to-eastbound right-turn lane, pedestrian upgrades and a signal timing upgrade. The agreement — described by an engineering department representative as a MoDOT cooperative arrangement to speed consultant procurement — will allow the city to pursue federal-surface-transportation program funding and begin design and consultant selection. The engineering representative said construction is projected for late 2028 into 2029. Council members pressed for specifics about signal timing. Charles, the engineering department representative, said eastbound traffic already “has a 4 signal” and that “westbound's the last 1 that doesn't have a 4 signal,” and added that MoDOT is considering changing the westbound display from a flashing yellow to a dedicated green timing to address safety concerns raised at an earlier meeting. That timing change, he said, would not reduce backups but could improve safety. Councilor Holt Meyer moved to advance the agreement; the motion, seconded by Patke, carried on a voice vote. City staff said the improvements include pedestrian upgrades and signal modifications for the westbound-to-southbound movement; further design and funding steps will be handled through the MoDOT agreement and consultant work. No ordinance, appropriation or final construction contract was adopted at the meeting; the action advances the agreement and authorizes staff to pursue consultant selection and project scheduling.