MoDOT Announces Decision on Key Largo Intersection

This is the announcement from the Missouri Department of Transportation:

To increase safety at the Route 54 and Key Largo intersection in Osage Beach, while also allowing through access to nearby businesses, the Missouri Department of Transportation has decided to partially re-open the intersection.
Under the plan, drivers will not be able to make a left turn onto Route 54 from Osage Beach Parkway, a movement that was causing crashes at the intersection. All other traffic movements will be allowed.

MoDOT will also add an eastbound acceleration lane on Route 54 to give travelers more time to get up to speed when exiting the intersection from the parkway and heading east. In addition, the speed limit from west of Route KK to west of Route A will be reduced from 65 mph to 60 mph as an added safety measure.

No changes will be made to the nearby Runabout and Spring Valley intersections located on Route 54.

“We believe the solution we’ve chosen will increase safety, while also taking into consideration the needs of residents and businesses in the area,” said MoDOT Central District Engineer David Silvester.

Silvester said MoDOT would continue to work with local officials and businesses to determine a long-term solution to address the intersections on Route 54 in the lake area. However, he stressed a lack of funding for transportation projects would prevent the agency from making much progress in that direction.

Six crashes occurred at the Key Largo intersection between Jan. 1 and April 29, when MoDOT and state and local law enforcement agencies partially closed the intersection. Since then, there have been no further crashes at the intersection.

The new speed limit will go into effect Aug. 1. Work on the safety improvements at Key Largo will begin in September and is expected to be completed before Thanksgiving.