To the editor:

I am writing in response to the article in the Lawrence Journal-World on the speed limit on Sixth Street between Wakarusa Drive and the South Lawrence Trafficway. This stretch of road during the construction period was lowered to 40 mph and rightly so. However, after the road has been completed and expanded to four lanes, the speed limit will remain at 40 mph according to Joe Blubaugh, a Kansas Department of Transportation spokesman.

I don’t understand the safety concerns now at 40 mph with a four-lane road versus that stretch before when it was a two-lane narrow and hilly road and the speed limit was 55 mph! There were also numerous access points before including a very dangerous Queens Road intersection.

KDOT’s response to keeping the speed limit at 40 mph is because “development planned for the area will turn that part of the road into an urban arterial similar to 23rd Street.” I don’t think any of the development planned for that area will look anything like 23rd Street unless Mr. Blubaugh is referring to Clinton Parkway west of Iowa Street.

We could have a higher speed limit until the traffic count warrants lowering the speed limit to a safe and reasonable level. If KDOT feels that 40 mph is correct for that stretch of road at the present traffic level then how can they justify the 65 mph on K-10 in front of the East Hills Business Park with the truck traffic and number of businesses that operate there?