By:
Posted: Dec 19, 2018 10:44 PM CST
Updated: Dec 19, 2018 10:44 PM CST
BOONE COUNTY - Boone County leaders are looking at ways to make a busy intersection safer. This comes about a month after a woman was killed there. The 55-year-old didn't stop at the intersection of Poplar Grove and Squaw Prairie Roads. The woman was then hit by another vehicle. The county is now considering changes to the two-way stop.
"I would like to publicly address the Boone County Board about my concerns with the intersections of Poplar Grove Road and Squaw Prarire Road," said Boone County Resident Pamela Gustafson. Boone County residents, like Pamela Gustafson want something done about the intersection. Wednesday night, Boone County Board members discussed approving an agreement with an engineer about possible changes to the roads.
"We want to make sure that we take a look at it and makes sure we find ways to improve the safety for all our citizens," said Boone County Board Chairman Karl Johnson. The county would apply for a $14-thousand Federal Grant to conduct studies on what would be the best safety measures to take. Boone County Sheriff Dave Ernest says this year there have been nine accidents, including one fatality, last month. "The accidents have increased at that intersection over the years," said Sheriff Ernest. "That's based off of increase of traffic in those areas as some of our northern communities have been growing, Poplar Grove, Candlewick."
"People do not drive 55 miles per hour, they pass the intersection, which is against the law, they're just in too big of a hurry and they're driving too fast," said Gustafson. "I have to sit in my driveway and watch traffic from the north and from the south. I can never just pull out."
"I am scared in the summertime when I'm mowing." said Boone County Resident Marilyn Hunt, "I mow part way up the road on the terrace. I'm always afraid, because they just come flying down Poplar Grove Road."
Currently, there are signs in place that reduce the speed limit to 45 miles per hour, lights have been added to signage, and white lines mark where to stop on the East and West bound lanes.
"It's not the case that people are blowing the stop sign," said Sheriff Ernest. "95-percent of those accidents stop and they pull out. It really is the congestion during those key, high-traffic times."
"If eventually, it comes down that it needs to be a four-way stop, then that's what will happen, but there's so many other things that we need to investigate," said Chairman Johnson.
The board has approved the measure to move forward on the grant application. If the award is granted, the board could begin to take action as early as Spring season
Above is from: https://www.mystateline.com/news/busy-boone-county-intersection-could-see-changes-to-roads/1667684306
No comments:
Post a Comment