City to keep traffic lights at Mitchell intersections

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Traffic lights on Mitchell Avenue at the intersections of 26th and 27th streets will remain in place upon recommendation from a recent traffic study carried out by the city.

City officials and members of the St. Joseph Traffic Commission recently met to discuss the findings of several studies, including one carried out on the Mitchell intersections.

The study was conducted during the current school year to determine if removing the lights would hurt traffic flow and safety during peak periods.

“The warrant study doesn’t justify it and we recommend that they stay. It services the churches and it also services the school (St. Francis Xavier) for the crosswalk,” Traffic Supervisor Jeff Jauhola said.

Commission member Brycen Haggard agreed.

“Between the church and school I don’t see why we would have them removed,” he said.

Commission takes look at 18th and Highly

The study was one of several agenda items discussed, including a second study to explore converting the intersection of 18th and Highly streets from a two-way into a four-way stop.

The request was supported by several residents who say they often see high rates of speeding from drivers along 18th Street adjacent to the Webster Learning Center and several churches.

“There’s such a thoroughfare there that gives the opportunity for massive speeding. And if people get used to a stop sign there, that can reduce that opportunity,” resident Lisa Rock said. “There have been a number of accidents there and recently a death.”

Five accidents were reported at the intersection in 2024, including a fatal motorcycle-car collision on the night of Nov. 14 in which excessive speeding was the primary factor. The remaining four crashes were non-injury.

The city’s study did not recommend a four-way stop due to several factors, including insufficient traffic volume. More than that, doing so would run counterintuitive to roadway requirements defined by the manual on uniform traffic control devices, which also protects the city from liability.

However, the commission agreed to authorize a follow-up study with an outside engineering firm to examine the intersection, with the majority of members recommending the placement of a new stop sign. A recommendation from an outside engineering firm is required before the city can implement changes that go against the manual on uniform traffic control devices.

“In the meantime, we’re going to for north and southbound traffic on 18th. We’re going to place advanced warning signs that remind drivers a four-way intersection is coming up,” Deputy Director of Operations Keven Schneider said. “I think that’s the biggest issue is the northbound traffic coming on 18th because they pop over that hill. Then there’s the intersection.”

Additionally, new information signage will be installed for east and westbound drivers on Highly Street that reads “cross traffic does not stop.”

The city also will look at removing several trees along the east side of 18th Street to improve visibility and reduce line-of-sight issues.

“The trees are blocking the view from westbound traffic on Highly,” Schneider said. “You can’t see to the south as well as you would want to be.”

City accepts proposal for parking changes along Pacific Street

The commission also took time to review another request to remove parking along the north side of Pacific Street from 33rd Street to Belt Highway, ultimately approving the proposal.

The request was made to address safety concerns by removing obstacles for drivers traveling on the narrow strip of roadway. Parking is already restricted on the south side of the street.

Residents and law enforcement often report excessive speeding on the roadway, with St. Joseph Police Sgt. James Tonn saying the department receives calls on the roadway “quite often.”

“I have personally stopped people who were going in the 60s,” Tonn said. “Maybe there’s no shoulder or the ditches there but the road already feels narrow.”