Planned road extension is criticized

Conservation group says wildlife will be affected.

By Ryan Martin

Published Dec. 4, 2007

Plans for an additional traffic exit following sporting events has drawn criticism because it might harm the surrounding wildlife.

The exit would be an extension of Mick Deaver Memorial Drive to the south through Champions Drive and connect to Providence Road. The road winds between Memorial Stadium, Hearnes Center and Mizzou Arena.

Ken Midkiff, conservation chairman of the Osage Sierra Club in Columbia, said the steep, wooded slopes below Mizzou Arena would be damaged if the extension occurred in the planned area.

After he received e-mails and a letter from the community, Midkiff examined the location to determine how the wildlife would be affected.

"The wildlife use that area frequently," Midkiff said, adding that in his visit he saw two white-tailed deer and numerous squirrels.

The area that would be cleared has oak and hickory trees that Midkiff estimates to be at least 50 years old.

Two tributary streams that flow into Hinkson Creek would also be affected, Midkiff said. The leaf layers and thin soil in the wooded area act as a "big sponge" for runoff from the parking lots on top of the hill, easing the streams' ebb and flow.

If the streams move too rapidly, aquatic life could also be damaged, Midkiff said.

Campus Facilities Associate Director Phil Shocklee said the extension would help traffic flow and improve safety for pedestrians.

When the traffic signal was installed on Providence Road, the university agreed with the Missouri Department of Transportation to eventually extend Mick Deaver Drive to that light, he said.

Traffic control officers do not let vehicles and pedestrians move at the same time. This puts pedestrian safety first but causes traffic congestion following major events, MU police Chief Jack Watring said.

"In most major events, when the arena lets out, it is almost impossible to get everyone out within 20 minutes," he said.

Watring said the proposed extension would alleviate some traffic south on Providence Road through the new exit without having to cross paths with pedestrians.

"It's going to be a safer situation," Watring said.

Midkiff said he is not opposed to Mick Deaver Drive being extended, but is opposed to using a route that highly impacts the wildlife.

"The road is going to impact the environment," he said. "We're looking to minimize that impact."

He suggests working on Providence Point, which is currently a gravel road. But, he said, connecting Providence Point Road to Mick Deaver Drive would cause a steep incline, requiring a significant amount of work.

Shocklee said the university had considered environmental concerns.

"We're trying to use the natural grade there as much as possible," he said.

This would minimize excavation and tree removal, Shocklee said.

He said the current surveyed area does not mark the precise route but it is the most feasible spot for the extension.

Midkiff said he expects to meet with Shocklee and Campus Facilities Assistant Vice Chancellor Gary Ward, who he said welcomed his input.

The university and MoDOT have taken some steps to alleviate the traffic flow following sporting events, Watring said.

All traffic posts are regulated by a police officer. During football games, the city, county, state and university police work together to facilitate traffic flow.

University and state police work together during basketball games.

Once the Mick Deaver Drive extension is complete, MoDOT will add a right turn lane for traffic northbound on Providence Road, extending from Champions Drive to Stadium Drive, said Nicole Kolb Hood, MoDOT transportation project manager.

MoDOT will also close the existing median on Providence between Champions Drive and Stadium Drive in order to add a removable section of median, meaning motorists heading south on Providence will only be allowed to turn left into the south exit during major events, Hood said.

The $3 million construction project, which is estimated to run from February to July or August, is not expected to affect parking during the construction, Shocklee said.

Hood estimates MoDOT's addition will be finished during the summer of 2009.