×
×
homepage logo

Leavenworth County needs KDOT approval of CR1/K-32 intersection safety changes

By Elvyn Jones - | Jun 15, 2010

Leavenworth County is still waiting to hear from the Kansas Department of Transportation on local proposals to make the County Road 1/Kansas Highway 32 intersection safer.

Leavenworth County commissioners and staffers proposed a number of modifications at the intersection in the wake of a Memorial Day Weekend accident that claimed the lives of two people. The changes would include larger stop signs, reflective striping on posts holding the stop signs and rumble strips.

In his monthly report to commissioners Monday, Leavenworth County Public Works director Mike Spickelmier said KDOT had not yet completed its required review of the fatal accident, which will examine factors in the accident.

County Counselor David Van Parys advised not proceeding with unilateral changes at the intersection because it was under KDOT’s jurisdiction. He also said it was best to wait for traffic engineers to recommend changes because inappropriate signage can make the intersection more dangerous.

Commissioners agreed Spickelmier should communicate to KDOT the county’s desire the study be finished soon and that it consider the county’s recommendations.

The county monitored traffic on CR1 with a radar device on recent weekend, Spickelmier said. The count of 1,900 vehicles a day was in line with the 1,500 per day the Turnpike Authority has found are using the new CR1 turnpike intersection, he said.

The radar also allowed the county to measure speeds, he said.

“They are going fast,” he said.

Bids for the new Leavenworth County Sewer District No. 3 sewer line near Basehor will be opened Wednesday and shared with the commission Monday, Spickelmier said. As many as 18 firms could bid on the project, he said.

The county and the city of Bonner Springs agreed to an interlocal agreement for the maintenance of 142 St. With the agreement, the county will be responsible for routine maintenance, including snow removal, on the street from State Avenue to Kansas Avenue.