Businesses wait for bypass impact

Businesses could be affected by the new Alternate Route 63 the Missouri Department of Transportation opened yesterday.

With entrances on the north and south ends of Kirksville, the 8.75 mile, $25 million Alternate Route 63 was constructed by MoDOT with the support of the City of Kirksville to give through-traffic a quicker route.

Some business owners are concerned potential customers who take this alternate route won't have the chance to see their businesses as they pass Kirksville.

"Any time you take business away from the front of your store it has the chance to affect it," said Troy Pinkerton, Colton's Steakhouse general manager. "We're just going to have to be creative as far as what we're doing with our advertising and getting our name out there."

Pinkerton said he's not sure what to expect from the diversion of customers around town through the alternate route. He said he's hoping someone will contact businesses like Colton's about advertising along the new route.

Kirksville Mayor Richard Detweiler said he sees pros and cons to the route's potential for the city.

Detweiler said he hopes cars going north or south on Route 63 will continue to Baltimore Street and use the gas stations and restaurants rather than take the alternate route.

"The benefit that I see is that most of the [tractor trailers] that are going north and south will use the alternate route, therefore making it safer on Baltimore for regular cars," Detweiler said.

Detweiler said he ultimately hopes there won't be a negative impact on the local businesses.

"The main purpose for building the bypass is to relieve congestion on Baltimore or Route 63 in Kirksville," MoDOT resident engineer Jeff Gander said.

Gander said traffic continuously has been a problem on Route 63 through Kirksville, because the backups at busy intersections are getting out of control. The hope is people driving on Route 63 who have no reason to stop in Kirksville can use the alternate road, eliminating unnecessary traffic on the main stretch.

While Gander said the alternate route isn't primarily geared toward eliminating traffic overall,  diverting tractor trailers will be benefit.

"They don't accelerate very well, so when you have [a tractor trailer] stopped at a light, you might only be able to get a few through, whereas you could get eight or 10 cars," Gander said.

There will be five "access points" along the alternative route that will connect to Kirksville roads: Lincoln Way Extension, Route P, Route 6, Route 11 and Dogwood Lane, according to MoDOT's Alternative Route 63 project website.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred at the NEMO Fairgrounds on Monday. Speakers included Missouri State Rep. Zach Wyatt, R-2, and MoDOT Chief Engineer Dave Nichols.