Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: City, MoDOT officials cut ribbon on turn lane at Vest and 65

From left to right, Kevin James with Missouri Department of Transportation, Marshall-Saline Development Corporation Executive Director Roy Hunter, Bucky Failor with MoDOT, Municipal Services Director Bill Anderson, Mayor Connie Latimer, Terry Gibson with the street department, City Councilman Sam Moten, Mike McGrath with MoDOT and City Councilman Ron Duvall cut the ribbon on the new turn lane at U.S. Highway 65 and Vest Street Friday afternoon, Nov. 20.
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Marshall city officials and Missouri Department of Transportation representatives cut the ribbon on the new turn lane at U.S. Highway 65 and Vest Street Friday afternoon, Nov. 20.

This project was a partnership between the two entities, and part of the $7.6 million resurfacing of U.S. 65 from Marshall to Carrollton, which was completed earlier in the year, according to a press release.

"It's another great project finished by the city of Marshall," Mayor Connie Latimer said.

She acknowledged the fact that many residents hoped for a stoplight at the intersection, but said, "I hope everyone will give this an opportunity to work."

Kevin James, with MoDOT, said because of the traffic flow of the area, and other reasons, a stoplight was not a good choice.

"We don't feel that a stoplight is the right solution," he said.

Marshall City Councilman Ron Duvall said he thinks the change has been effective.

"It does make a difference," he said.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Again, if you are traveling east and west often, why not use the lights at either College or Arrow? If you have to wait that long anyhow, why not use those lights and probably save yourself some time. Since that intersection is so bad, why do you keep using it?

-- Posted by spareme on Sat, Nov 21, 2009, at 8:45 PM

Here's a thought. Let's take the turn signals on Arrow that are right in front of the new ambulance building and put them at the Vest and 65 intersection. The current location is totally useless. Moreover, what happens if the light is red and a line of cars happens to be backed up at that light? The ambulance cannot get out. Let's put them somewhere they can be useful.

-- Posted by What the f...... on Sat, Nov 21, 2009, at 3:28 PM

My question is {and I drive thru there at least twice a day] WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE GOING EAST AND WEST? They have to sit and wait and wait. The left turn lane does nothing for them. Who will get killed BEFORE thy do something about it. It is a accident waiting to happen again.

-- Posted by old&cranky on Sat, Nov 21, 2009, at 11:25 AM

Maybe I don`t know what I`m talking about, but I`m pretty sure Mr. Duvall lives on the west side of vest. I`m pretty sure he drives across that highway more than any of us.

-- Posted by so_what on Fri, Nov 20, 2009, at 11:20 PM

Those turn lanes are there for the people turning off 65 not turning onto 65.Mostly so truckers don't have to come to a stop and really slow down traffic when someone else is getting off 65.A light at this intersection would make this alot more dangerous ESP. for truckers,then you have kids trying to beat the light.VERY bad idia to put a light there.While I'm at it on stop lights what we need at 240&Odell is a flashing yellow on 240 and a flashing RED on Odell,no need for 240 to have to stop.

-- Posted by golfaddic on Fri, Nov 20, 2009, at 10:17 PM

Give me a break. These turns lanes have not helped. I still see people darting across Vest every day, risking life and limb. Yes, cmasretire, someone is going to have to die.

Let me know when the ribbon cutting is scheduled for the stop light that is so desperately needed at that intersection. That's a ribbon cutting I wouldn't miss!

-- Posted by born-n-raised on Fri, Nov 20, 2009, at 5:36 PM

Cmasretire---why does the school traffic HAVE to turn left on 65? If they're having that much trouble, why not go to either the light at Arrow or the one at College? But wait, if someone did that and it worked no one could complain! Imagine that....

-- Posted by spareme on Fri, Nov 20, 2009, at 5:05 PM

I'm not sure when Mr. Duvall tried to turn from Vest onto 65, but it must not have been after school. The turn lanes sure haven't helped a bit. Traffic is often backed up 10 or 12 cars deep trying to get onto 65 from the school. All the turn lanes did was add 2 extra lanes that turners off Vest have to cross. A stoplight is what is needed here. Is it going to take someone getting killed? Where is our state senator who heads up the Transportation Committee in the Senate? His help would have sure been appreciated. Oh, sorry, he's too busy running for Congress, I guess.

-- Posted by cmasretire on Fri, Nov 20, 2009, at 3:48 PM