Lower speed limits on highway needed
Admittedly, the Kansas Department of Transportation sometimes moves at a snail’s pace or so it seems to citizens who would like KDOT to reduce the speed limit along U.S. Highway 24-40 at the entrances to Tonganoxie.
But it’s time for KDOT to act.
At the very least, 5,000 vehicles a day are traveling along that highway in our city.
Of particular concerns are the speed limits in front of Tonganoxie High School and Tonganoxie Junior High on the east side of the city. Cars legally travel at 50 mph in front of the high school; and they legally travel at 40 in front of the junior high school.
It’s only a matter of time before a pedestrian or a young driver is severely injured there.
In addition, the 45 mph speed limit on the city’s south side is excessive. Just north of 12th Street which is the entrance to the growing Eagle Valley development drivers can travel at 65 mph.
With these high rates of speed within our city limits, we are exposing people in cars and people on foot in our town to unnecessary danger.
KDOT officials say they are conducting a road safety audit of Leavenworth County. The report is slated for completion this summer.
But one doesn’t need the results of a road safety audit to know that cars are traveling too quickly through Tonganoxie.
Let’s hope that transportation department officials lower the speed limits before tragedy strikes.