To the editor:

I am writing this letter with concerns about Midland Junction. The recent accidents out there have finally gotten the attention of some people. But it is sad that it took a death and injuries to bring this dangerous area to people’s attention. Maybe the Kansas Department of Transportation will put a signal out there like they did at Teepee Junction a few years ago.

I also think if the Kansas Highway Patrol and the sheriff could patrol regularly, they could slow the traffic somewhat. I’m in that area several times a day, and it is common to see folks going 65 to 75 mph around that curve in front of the Midland Store and almost that fast up and down Wellman Road. If you dare drive the 45 mph speed limit around that curve, you’re going to get passed. And they’ll probably gesture just how much they didn’t appreciate your ability to drive the speed limit.

They just repaved U.S. Highway 24-59 and already you can see many skid marks headed for the ditches. If people would just slow down and if KDOT could see the danger and put up some kind of signal or reconfigure the U.S. 24-59/Wellman intersection, we who have to drive there will be much safer.

Matt Withers,

Lawrence