Springfield residents were invited to a public meeting Tuesday where the Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO) displayed multiple mock‑up designs for a potential redesign of the U.S. 60 and U.S. 65 interchange. According to KY3, OTO is gathering local opinions as it evaluates how to improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance access for the region.
OTO Executive Director Sara Fields explained that the agency is looking at the corridor “in a broader sense, trying to look at the connectivity as a whole for the region.” She highlighted that the current stretch of Highway 60 experiences “backed‑up traffic and a high volume of crashes,” and that limiting direct access from some farm roads could help alleviate those problems. Fields said the organization is considering consolidating access points, adding a possible interchange or collector road, and ultimately “controlling some of that access to facilitate no more crashes.”
Local business leaders voiced concerns about the proposals. Brian VanFossen, President of Citizens Bank of Rogersville, told KY3 that U.S. 60 is “vital because we have a branch here, off Farm Road 189,” and that earlier plans that would have cut off that access would force customers to travel two miles farther, potentially hurting the bank’s business. VanFossen urged OTO to retain convenient entry points, stating, “I’d like to see something that would give access right here, either Highland Springs or Farm Road 189, to give access off U.S. 60… The big thing is also the economic viability of all the land that’s around here that’s undeveloped.”
The meeting featured several visual concepts, and attendees were asked to provide feedback on each. Fields noted that the designs shown were preliminary – “we sort of threw everything at the wall to see what even could fit and what ideas were.” She added that OTO will conduct further traffic analysis before finalizing any plan.
While the project is still in its infancy, OTO expects to release an updated plan by the end of spring or the beginning of summer 2027. The organization emphasized that community input will shape the final design, aiming to balance safety improvements with the economic interests of Greene County’s most developable land.
What’s next: OTO will continue to collect comments through its website and at future public forums. Residents who wish to submit feedback before the next meeting are encouraged to visit the OTO website or contact the organization directly. The updated plan, slated for release in early 2027, will be open for additional public review before any construction begins.
Sources: ky3.com
