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MoDOT, county present revised Route N arterial plan focused on reducing severe crashes
Summary
County and MoDOT staff outlined a revised design philosophy for Route N that prioritizes reducing fatal and severe crashes through narrower lanes, raised medians, J-turns and a multiuse side path; preliminary plans, funding and right-of-way work are ongoing.
County highway staff and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) consultants briefed the St. Charles County Council on the Route N arterial project during the May 27 meeting, describing a shift from high-speed rural highway design to a “context-sensitive” arterial intended to reduce fatalities and severe crashes.
The presentation summarized the project history and the design evolution: MoDOT and county staff said the preferred typical section now features narrower (11-foot) travel lanes, shoulders with curb and gutter, a raised center median, J-turns at selected accesses and a multiuse side path for bicycles and pedestrians. “If you narrow the roadway, people will tend to slow down and then the crashes are less severe,” presenter Amanda said, describing the safety rationale.
Why it matters: Route N is a high-volume corridor identified on the county’s High Injury Network; staff showed traffic growth over time and said crashes on high-speed stretches tend to be more severe. The proposed changes aim to preserve access while reducing left-turn conflict points and lowering design speeds in built-up areas.
Key technical points: staff said J-turns and controlled access will reduce left-turn crossings of multiple lanes. The project’s typical section presented at public meetings includes an 11-foot lane, 6-foot shoulder, raised median and a trail on one side; speed limits are expected around 40 mph in sections of the revised corridor. County staff said preliminary plans are expected in early next year and that cost-share discussions with MoDOT are ongoing; right-of-way purchases and some design work are already funded.
Community process and next steps: staff said MoDOT hosted a public meeting in March with substantial attendance and that additional outreach will continue as plans are refined. The county said it has paid for an initial environmental planning document, contributed to design funding and purchased some right-of-way; those local investments will be credited in a 50/50 cost-share arrangement when federal or MoDOT construction funds are applied.
No formal action or vote was required; councilmembers asked technical questions about the presence of bike facilities and whether local driveway access will be changed. Staff said the project will rely on side paths for bicycles rather than on-street bike lanes and that access control will limit direct left turns to improve safety.
