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PALMYRA, MO. -- More then 3,000 cars travel U.S. 61 going past Palmyra, Missouri, but there is some concern about safety with some of the intersections with the highway.

Palmyra Police Chief Eddie Bogue said there have been five fatal accidents in the last 10 years at some of the intersections in question.

So now the Missouri Department of Transportation is starting a $1,2 million dollar project that will see turn lanes added at some of the intersections as well as acceleration and deceleration lanes.

Click on the map below to view it in full size PDF format. (Courtesy of Missouri Department of Transportation.)
 

"This was a priority. We've noticed there have been some accidents in the area. It was a priority. We met with the people of Palmyra and tried to come up with the best solution to help improve some of these turning movements and help improve the safety of these median openings," MODOT resident engineer Marty Lincoln said.

So as Chief Bogue looks out over the Ross Street intersection with Highway 61, he said the way the intersections are being reworked will help in keeping drivers who are trying to turn off the highway into town. Bogue said just two weeks ago at the Ross Street crossing, a woman pulled into the path of a northbound semi. She was lucky and was able to walk away from the accident.

"The improved turn lanes will be a huge help. And the main goal is to relieve these crossovers on the busy highway. And someday hopefully we will have an overpass or an outer road system that will help improve that even more," Bogue said.

The plan is to install turn lanes like this and to also install acceleration and deceleration lanes for drivers who are coming in and out of Palmyra. The project is expected to be completed by the end of November.