MoDOT lists traffic count for 5/160 junction

A recent traffic count conducted by the Missouri Department of Transportation at the junction of U.S. Highway 160 and Highway 5 north in Gainesville yielded pretty impressive numbers.

The count was done at the request of Ozark County commissioners who hope to promote the area to prospective businesses that may want to locate at the intersection.

"I think a Sonic or something would go over real well there," said Greg Donley, western district commissioner.

The traffic count showed 4,919 vehicles went through the intersection during two six-hour periods from noon to 6 p.m. on May 31 and from 6 a.m. to noon on June 1. The count was done by two MoDOT employees on a Thursday afternoon and a Friday morning the week after the Memorial Day holiday.

Most of the traffic (1,866 vehicles) came into the intersection from the west while 1,581 came from Highway 5 north. The report showed 1,222 coming from the east into the intersection. There were 250 cars that entered the intersection on County Road 503 from the south.

"We have a pretty good amount of traffic down there," said T.J. Lewis, eastern district commissioner.

Lewis and Donley, along with presiding commissioner Dave Morrison, hope to use the numbers to lure businesses to the area. "We really need to do what we can," Morrison said.

The commissioners are also looking at other ways to draw business to the county. People with questions can contact the commissioners at 679-4096.