|
|
"It is just in the very preliminary study. We don't even know if it will work in that location," said Judy Wagner, MoDOT's area engineer for Franklin County.
"It is just in the conceptual phase," she said.
The speed limit was officially set at 40 miles per hour via a county commission order signed May 26.
MoDOT officials, St. Gertrude Parish and school officials, county commissioner Terry Wilson and State Rep. Brian Nieves all met at the school Jan. 29 to discuss ways to lower the limit further.
The best option would be to install flashing cross walk signs which could allow the speed limit to be dropped further, likely to 35 miles per hour, Wagner told those at the January meeting.
Wagner told the group of possible funding through the Safe Routes to School program.
The program did not receive funding this year.
Regardless, the school and parish drew up plans for the crosswalk in hopes that a private donor would come forward with the $15,000 needed for the project.
"As far as funding goes, we have all of our legwork done," principal Mike Newbanks told The Missourian this week.
Newbanks said while no funding was in the program this year, if the school received money it would be ready to move forward.
"From there, everything would still need to be approved by MoDOT and so forth," he said.
Noreen Baker, a mother of four who has children who attend the school, told The Missourian she wasn't holding her breath expecting results.
"We've all been told different things about what (MoDOT) will do to help with YY and the intersection but none of them have come about," she said.
"Even if someone gave them a check (to pay for the flashing signs), the speed limit is still 40 and that's wrong," Baker said.
Baker met with local businesses including the Krakow Store, Radio Comm, Ra-Pomm Security, the church parish and Haslag Steel, all of which are opposed to a roundabout and promote lowering the speed limit near the school.
"We're interested in circulating this petition. A roundabout just won't help alleviate the problem," Baker said.
The petition seeks traffic signals which would flash yellow for those traveling on Highway A and flash red for those on YY.
The signals could be changed to function with red, yellow and green lights during peak traffic times and during emergencies.
A Washington Fire Department station also is located near the intersection on Highway YY.
As of Thursday afternoon, only about a day after it was introduced, the petition had garnered over 200 signatures, Baker said.
"We do look at petitions and see what their main concern is," Wagner said Friday.
"We are working it out the school and the county will help them fund the school signal flasher they are wanting," she said.
Baker is not opposed to the flashing signs, but said they don't go fair enough.
"I think the school should have the signs, but they shouldn't have to pay for them," Baker said.
"This whole thing is unnecessary and its gone too far," she said.
People may sign the petition at the area business which are supporters. The petition also will be available for signing after Mass at St. Gertrude's June 21 and 28.
The businesses oppose the roundabout because it would impede their operations, Baker said.
