KILLEN — The Alabama Department of Transportation aims to improve safety at a Lauderdale County intersection using an alternative intersection design.
The $451,098 project, starting this week, will convert the intersection of U.S. 43 and Alabama Highway 64, north of Killen, to a reduced conflict intersection.
The contractor, Rogers Group, plans to begin work today, weather permitting.
Reduced conflict intersections replace crossing and left turn movements from the minor street with a combination of right turns and U-turns. These movements significantly reduce exposure to conflicts with other vehicles. Studies have shown RCIs are effective in reducing injury and fatal crashes compared to conventional intersections.
Instead of crossing or turning left from Highway 64 and Lauderdale County Road 364, motorists will make a right turn onto U.S. 43, followed at a safe distance by a U-turn. Left turns from US. 43 to Highway 64 and County Road 364 will still be permitted.
Curbs, striping, and other traffic control devices will channelize traffic movements. Diagrammatic signs will help motorists safely navigate the new intersection layout.
RCI modifications at several former high-crash intersections in north Alabama have drastically reduced crashes since their implementation. At some of these intersections, injury and fatal crashes dropped to or near zero. These alternative intersection designs, also known as restricted crossing U-turns (RCUTs), have also improved safety in other areas of the state.
Initially, motorists should expect closure of the inside lanes of U.S. 43 for construction of U-turn facilities north and south of the intersection. In later stages of work, expect closure of the median at the intersection and lane closures on the side streets.
For current traffic impacts and real-time traffic conditions, download the ALGO Traffic app or visit http://www.algotraffic.com.
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