There are a lot of clanging, beeping, and pounding noises in Galloway Village these days as construction crews make quick progress on the long-awaited Galloway Street Widening Project. Crews began clearing land south of Galloway Street in mid-October to make way for the improved road. By early November, the primary focus was preparing the area for a future roundabout at the junction of Galloway Street and Lone Pine.
The Galloway Street Widening Project was ranked as the No. 2 priority project in City-wide transportation surveys conducted in both 2015 and 2018. The project includes a whole host of safety improvements including wider lanes and the addition of a center turn lane for motorists accessing neighborhoods to the north. The current street, although frequently used by pedestrians and bicyclists, lacks even a shoulder, creating a dangerous tension between motorists and non-motorists. The planned improvements include both a sidewalk on the south side of the street and a 10-foot-wide multi-use path on the north side that will tie in to the existing greenway trail system.
A defining feature of the project is the inclusion of two new roundabouts; one at the junction of Galloway Street and Luster, and a second at the junction with Lone Pine. These new roundabouts will improve safety in all directions, allow traffic to flow more freely, and help avoid the back-ups that often occur during high-use times.
Native landscaping will be added where possible and appropriate, particularly to the north of the widened street and in the roundabouts. Galloway residents are excited about these beautification plans and look forward to hearing place making ideas.
Neighborhood drivers should expect continued and increased impact on Galloway Street and Lone Pine, including the reduction of Galloway Street to a single east-bound lane for much of the project duration. Project Manager Nicholas Edelman has made an ongoing effort to communicate theses impacts to residents in a clear and timely manner via email, public meetings, and signage. To learn the latest information about the project and sign up to receive regular project update emails, visit springfieldmo.gov/galloway.
A Neighborhood Works project recently completed in Galloway Village was the addition of crossing lights on Lone Pine near Barton where the greenway crosses Lone Pine. The trail in this area is heavily used and the new crossing light increases the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.
All City updates are shared on Facebook. Residents even used the opportunity presented by the Bass Pro Marathon Cheering Challenge to shine a light on the situation with a neighborhood theme of “Clowning A Roundabout Galloway.”
“Construction in Galloway is no joke,” said Melanie Bach, president of the Galloway Village Neighborhood Association, “so we are doing everything we can to increase awareness.”
Road construction in the neighborhood is expected to last through summer. As it continues and detours become necessary, we encourage both residents and visitors not to forget the unique restaurants, shops and service providers of Galloway. It may take a few extra minutes to reach them, but community support will be vital for their continued success as road improvements are made.