With the opening of Chick-fil-A scheduled this week, and several other businesses planned nearby, traffic in the Gateway area is expected to increase. City of Springfield employees will be monitoring traffic flows on Gateway Street and making adjustments as needed. Key traffic safety improvements in the area were completed in 2023 including the installation of a median, a rectangular rapid flashing beacon pedestrian crossing, and eliminating left turns to and from Kruse Way. These improvements have changed how residents will access the new Chick-fil-A site.
Drivers wanting to travel northbound on Gateway Street must utilize the traffic light at the intersection of Gateway Street and Crossroads Center by using the adjacent business property drive aisles south of the site. For southbound travel, vehicles will exit through the driveway on Gateway Street at the Chick-fil-A entrance. Increased traffic is expected in the months following Chick-fil-A’s opening, and the city encourages drivers to allow extra travel time and exercise patience in the area. The city will continue monitoring traffic patterns as businesses open and work to manage traffic flows.
Traffic Enhancements
Key improvements completed in 2023 include:
- Removal of Left Turns at Kruse Way: To improve safety and reduce congestion, left turns to and from Kruse Way were eliminated.
- Enhanced Pedestrian Access: A new crosswalk with rectangular rapid flashing beacons has been installed, providing safer connections for pedestrians navigating the Gateway area.
- Optimized Traffic Patterns: Northbound drivers on Gateway Street are directed through the adjacent property to access the traffic light at Gateway Street and Crossroads Center, while southbound traffic exits directly onto Gateway Street from Chick-fil-A.
