Work to provide traffic relief along Route 13 in Stone County is progressing steadily southward. A new segment of Route 13 is under construction at Branson West to provide easier travel. This work follows completion of a similar Route 13 project at Reeds Spring. The next step is to improve traffic flow between Branson West and the bridge at Kimberling City.

Options to relieve Route 13 congestion south of Branson West for the next 20 years have been developed. Three options target the older, curvier section north of Route OO. One option – widening – is tailored to the newer, straighter section of Route 13 south of Route OO to the bridge.

All of these 20-year relief options include four through lanes with left-turn lanes. Traffic is heavier north of Route OO, so Route 13 would have fewer left-turn lanes, allowing the through traffic to flow better. U-turn loops would help everyone get to where they want to go.

However, funding is a major issue on all options. All of these 20-year solutions have a price tag between $40 million and $50 million. That amount is not available in the foreseeable future.

MoDOT, local officials and residents all agree that congestion relief along Route 13 is needed as soon as possible. The most affordable, quickest way to improve traffic flow is to develop a less extensive fix – adding a center turn lane to the existing roadway.

A center turn lane for Route 13 would provide the most relief north of Route OO where traffic is heaviest and no turn lanes exist. A center turn lane would provide a place for turners to wait while keeping through traffic from stopping every time someone needs to make a left. A center turn lane could be used by emergency vehicles to skirt around the traffic when necessary for quick response.

The cost to add a center turn lane is estimated at more than $10 million. While that funding is yet to be secured, the chances of doing so are greater sooner than securing the money needed for the more expensive 20-year, four-lane options.

A Route 13 with a center turn lane -- if funded and built -- could be upgraded later if more funding becomes available.

Route 13 Options

Long-Term Solutions:

Option 1 – North
(North of Route DD to Route OO)
• 4-Lane with left-turn lanes, signals and u-turn loops
• Minimal relocation
• Est. Cost: $26.5 million

Option 2 – North
(North of Route DD to Route OO)
• 4-Lane with left-turn lanes, signals and u-turn loops
• One-third relocation
• Est. Cost: $27.5 million

Option 3 – North
(North of Route DD to Route OO)
• 4-Lane with left-turn lanes, signals and u-turn loops
• Two-thirds relocation
• Est. Cost: $26.4 million

Option 1 – South
(Route OO to Lake)
• 5-Lane with continuous left-turn lane
• Est. Cost: $19.3 million

(NOTE: Combine North Option 1,2 or 3 with South Option 1 to get the cost for the entire 5.5 miles between Branson West and the bridge at Kimberling City. Estimated cost would range between $45.7 million and $46.8 million.)

Short-Term Solutions:

Widen entire 5.5 miles by adding a center turn lane
• Est. cost: $10.7 million
• Can be upgraded later to North Options 1, 2 or 3 (North of Route OO) combined with South Option 1 (South of Route OO)

For more information, contact our Springfield District Office at 417-895-7600 or 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).

Last updated: September 2007.