City of Springfield news release:

The City of Springfield and the Missouri Department of Transportation traffic management staffs are taking a number of steps to manage traffic flow during the 2008 holiday shopping season.

Seasonal Traffic Signal Timing Plans – Special seasonal timing plans will begin on Nov. 28, the Friday after Thanksgiving. The plans are designed to provide greater capacity in and around major retail shopping corridors at the times when there are higher holiday traffic volumes.

Intersection/Signal Improvements – The MoDOT District 8 office recently completed intersection and traffic signal improvements at Glenstone Avenue and Primrose Street that provides additional turn lanes for an intersection that was at capacity during previous holiday shopping seasons. MoDOT has also recently opened the new eastbound on-ramps for traffic travelling from Glenstone Avenue onto U.S. 60 (James River Freeway); and opened Republic Road from Charleston Avenue to Glenstone Avenue. Construction continues to complete this interchange project by the end of this year.

On-Street Camera Monitoring – Using on-street cameras placed near shopping centers and major intersections, operators at the Transportation Management Center will monitor traffic flows for congestion and vehicular incidents. Operators will work expanded schedules to include the day after Thanksgiving and weekends throughout the holiday season to monitor traffic flow, respond to observed problems and provide updated traveler information. Sources for traffic information are as follows:

OzarksTraffic.info Web site – The camera images are available on the Internet at www.ozarkstraffic.info. The site allows users to view more than 100 images from 33 roadside traffic cameras throughout Springfield. It also contains up-to-date information on current incidents, such as crashes and stalled vehicles that affect traffic flow in Springfield and Greene County. Motorists are encouraged to visit the site to check traffic conditions before beginning their travel in the area.

Live Traffic Video on TV23 – TV23, the City’s government access channel, will offer extended live video feeds from the traffic-monitoring cameras throughout the holiday season. Normal viewing times are 6:30 to 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Extended viewing will be available:
Friday, Nov. 28: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
Saturdays from Nov. 29-Dec. 20: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
Sundays from Nov. 30-Dec. 21: noon to 4 p.m.; and
Wednesday, Dec. 24: 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additional times may be scheduled as traffic or weather conditions warrant. TV23 is available to local Mediacom subscribers on cable channel 23, and also is available via videostreaming to all viewers on the City Web site at TV23.springfieldmo.gov.

Travel During Inclement Winter Weather – TMC staff also will work extended hours, when necessary, during periods of inclement winter weather to monitor traffic conditions and provide updated traveler information. If travel is necessary under such conditions, motorists should use extra caution by reducing speeds and increasing following distances. Extended viewing of live video feeds on TV23 will also be made available to show road conditions. In the event of traffic tie-ups, the TMC will post alerts on the www.ozarkstraffic.info Web site to aid local media in releasing traffic information to motorists to try to avoid major congestion.

An active LED warning message sign, which displays the message “Red Signal Ahead,” was installed last year for eastbound motorists approaching Lone Pine Avenue on Battlefield Road. When the display is lighted, motorists are alerted that they will need to stop for a red signal. Using this advanced warning at times when the roadway has snow or ice conditions will help motorists know when to exercise special care on the steep downhill slope as they approach the traffic signal at Lone Pine.

Shopping Traffic Tips

Extended Shopping Hours – Shoppers are encouraged to take advantage of extended shopping hours offered by many businesses to help reduce the peak traffic loads that are expected on the day after Thanksgiving and on weekends through the first week in January. Past experience indicates that the peak traffic on the Friday after Thanksgiving and weekend days occurs between noon and 2 pm.

Other suggestions include:
Tune into local traffic reports on radio and TV.
Be patient and do not follow too closely.
Plan your shopping trip to pre-select lanes of travel for turns and to minimize doubling back on the same roadway.
Take advantage of less congested roadways.
Consider walking, carpooling or taking the bus.