OTO presents possible changes to U.S. 60 and 65 interchange

ROGERSVILLE, Mo. (KY3) - The Ozarks Transportation Organization is gathering information and opinions from locals on its proposed project along a stretch of U.S. 60 and 65.

“We are looking at the 60, 65 area in a broader sense, trying to look at the connectivity as a whole for the region,” said Sara Fields, Executive Director of OTO. “How we can improve safety, how we can enhance access as well as travel time reliability and congestion.”

“[U.S. 60] is vital because we have a branch here, off Farm Road 189, and some of the original proposals from a couple years ago were going to be devastating to our branch,” Brian VanFossen is the President of Citizens Bank of Rogersville.

It sits right off U.S. 60 on Farm Road 189. He says in previous meetings, OTO had proposed plans that included cutting off access to branching farm roads, including Farm Road 189.

“People would have to travel down and get off 2 miles before they get to our location,” said VanFossen. “And that would just be a situation where people would just drive on by; there’s too much other competition.”

Sara Fields with OTO says that backed-up traffic and a high volume of crashes are a big problem on Highway 60. And limiting Farm Road access could help to relieve some of those issues.

“The truth of the matter is there’s just too much traffic. There aren’t enough gaps in traffic to allow people to pull onto the road,” said Fields. “I think what we’re looking to do is consolidate some of that access. So yes, there would be less access at some farm roads, you know, simply to reduce those crashes, but then trying to see where access would be most appropriate. The idea would be to see if we can control some of that access to facilitate no more crashes. So if we don’t have cars pulling directly onto the road, then there’s less of a chance for a crash there, and then trying to see if we can work some additional access in, such as an interchange or a collector Road or something where we can still provide access to property in the safest manner possible.”

Tuesday, OTO showed those in attendance at their meeting multiple different mock-ups for the project, and took in feedback. Fields says that this project is still well in its infancy and could see a lot of changes.

“Right now we sort of threw everything at the wall to see what even could fit and what ideas were,” said Fields. “So we still have to go back and do some traffic analysis to make sure it will work. And I do think you’ll see an evolution of proposals.”

“I’d like to see something that would give access right here, either Highland Springs or Farm Road 189, to give access off U.S. 60. So this is something that would allow people to get off and on the highway very conveniently and easily and spur growth,” said VanFossen. “The big thing is also the economic viability of all the land that’s around here that’s undeveloped. And it’s probably the prime, most developable type of land available in Greene County that can add economic growth and prosperity for this community.”

Ozarks Transportation Organization expects to have an updated plan by the end of spring, or beginning of summer, in 2027.

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OTO presents possible changes to U.S. 60 and 65 interchange

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