(KNZA)--Hiawatha city officials meet with the Hiawatha School board last week to discuss changes the Kansas Department Transportation is proposing to the 1st Street corridor to enhance safety.
City Public Works Director Brad Scott and Mayor Becky Shamburg gave a presentation to the board on the proposed changes.
Scott said KDOT is proposing going with street reconfiguration known as a “ road diet.” Under the proposal, the existing four-lane street would be converted to a three-lane roadway consisting of two through lanes and a center two-way left-turn lane.
As part of the proposal, the traffic signals at 1st and Oregon and 1st and Iowa would be removed.
Other changes proposed by KDOT include making Longfellow Street a one-way street, removing old school zone signals and implementing flashing beacons at crosswalks.
Scott said the cost to replace the failed traffic signal at 1st and Oregon with a similar traffic signal has been placed at $500,000 to $750,000. KDOT would not provide any funding if the city decides to have the traffic light replaced.
The board's primary concern was student safety, especially when crossing the highway for school and during the summer to get to the pool. It was the consensus of the board that they wanted to see the traffic signal at 1st and Iowa stay, while it is still operational, for safety reasons.
Shamburg invited the board to request to be on the agenda for the next city commission meeting to voice any concerns.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Severe storms move through NE KS
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
LATEST STORIES
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Brown Co Sheriff's Office releases April stats
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Commission takes action related to bridge project
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire