Plans unveiled to remove stop lights on Highway 60 in Seymour

SEYMOUR, Mo. — Residents in Seymour were able to get an up-close look at the new plans to get rid of the two stop lights on Highway 60.

The project is supposed to make the intersections safer for drivers, however some residents still have a few concerns.

“I am excited that they’re doing something and I think it’s going to make some safety issues better,” said Seymour resident Amie Frantz. “But I’m a little concerned about where it’s happening.”

MoDOT Project Manager Bud Sherman says the new traffic flow will include what’s called a dog bone roundabout at Route C, with Highway 60 going over the roundabout.

At West Clinton Avenue, they will put in a J-turn to eliminate the lights.

“We’ve had a lot of serious injuries,” Sherman said. “And, you know, to the point where something needed to be done.”

Construction is expected to start in four years.

“I wish that they would have considered the fact that Seymour was going to grow when they started these projects 50 years ago,” Frantz said.

The two lights on the highway cause a significant bottleneck during rush hour, something that was highlighted during the eclipse last month.

“Even just coming into town, I mean, in the mornings you may wait for it through two lights,” Frantz said “And yeah, it is a bottleneck for sure.”

Frantz says it’s good that the project is not finalized yet because there needs to be more thought put into it.

“I know they have concerns and they have a special interest and so we want to try to adopt those as much as we can,” Sherman said. “But at the same time, our priority is safety for the travelers.”

There will be another public hearing for this project later this year or next year. Construction is expected to be finished in 2030.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.