TRAFFIC TROUBLES: How the city of Springfield is working to ease congestion
Traffic in Springfield can have a line of cars that stretches as far as the eye can see. Some cars can be seen weaving in out of lanes to get ahead. And others just trying to pass.
"It has gotten terrible," said Michelle Bingham.
Michelle Bingham has lived in Springfield her whole life, she says over the years the congestion has just gotten worse. She among others would like to see the city do something about it.
This year's Community Focus Report shows the city of Springfield added more people and jobs but hasn't done enough to keep up with the transportation demands.
"Congestion is something that as the city grows you come to expect," said Eric Claussen.
Eric Claussen is a traffic engineer for the city of Springfield.
He says there are a few projects along with taxes the city uses to help cut down on congestion, one example was the work done on Primrose Street.
"Primrose at one time was just two lanes in each direction and we are expanding that out so its five lanes in each direction between Campbell and National so looking at those roadways to add more lanes to be able to more our vehicular traffic on our arterial roads," said Claussen.
Claussen also says the city works hand in hand with MoDOT to make sure traffic signals work properly. But, he does recognize people would like to see the widening of both Sunshine Street and Battlefield, but its extremely difficult to do so.
"There is limited right away that we can actually use to construct lanes," said Claussen.
Claussin also says he does not think congestion is contributing to pedestrian and car crashes.