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Last updated 8:51 am CT February 09, 2010.
New Interchange Along I-57
response along I-57 and in other parts of Franklin county.
The proposed interchange would be located on the north side of Benton along Petroff Road, directly off route 37 and within walking distance of Franklin County's ambulance service base.
Supporters say that location would give first responders a
quicker route to emergencies when seconds count.
You may remember this semi accident that tied up traffic on
I-57 near Benton last week.
Economic Developer John Huffman says it's just another reason a new Petroff Road interchange should get federal support, "Traffic had to be routed onto west main street around the square and down north main which caused huge
traffic jams for hours and hours." Huffman said.
If the interchange had been in place Huffman says traffic
could have been routed much differently, "If that were to happen again all of that traffic could exit right here at Petroff
road and go north to eliminate the congestion around the square."
Not only would it alleviate detoured traffic, but officials with the county's ambulance service Cardinal EMS say it could shorten routes when seconds count, " It would significantly
help our response times I believe especially in the western part of the county and in the northwestern part of the county
such as Sesser different places like that."
Cardinal's home base is located on route 37 in Benton.
Operations Director Steve Berkemeier says it's a pain to get up north or to the interstate, "Like we have to go all the way back into down and then up or go all the way up and back down."
While Huffman says this proposed project does have a lot of
support here in the community- he says this is only the first
leg in a marathon that could take between 12 and 18 months
to get anything seriously moving forward.
By: Rachel Gartner
rgartner@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265729583
