Baldwin speed increase delayed
K-DOT says the delay in upping the speeds on Highway 56 will allow time for more discussion about the potential safety impacts to schools located along the road. Enlarge video
U.S. 56 speed limit
Apparently, the radar gun got jumped last week. The speed limit on U.S. Highway 56 isn't going up to 60 mph just yet.
A week after announcing the 5 mph increase, Kansas Department of Transportation officials now say they first want to talk with school and community leaders.
"KDOT staff plan to conduct meetings with local community, county and school district officials located along U.S. 56 in the four-county area to address safety concerns for schools that may be impacted by the increased speed limit," the agency said in the release.
The counties affected are Douglas, Johnson, Osage and Lyon.
Last week, Tom Mundinger, principal at Baldwin Elementary School Intermediate Center, was incredulous that a speed limit increase was in the offing.
"If, in fact, they put it on hold to talk to those impacted, that's a good sign," said Mundinger, whose school fronts the highway. "I will be thrilled to be part of those discussions. If part of their signing package is flashing lights, then that would better meet our needs."
Kim Qualls, KDOT spokesman, said officials would meet with the three districts that have schools along U.S. 56: Mundinger's school; Santa Fe Trail High School near Overbrook in Osage County; and Northern Heights High School near Allen in Lyon County. Qualls said the outcry by Mundinger and others had no effect on KDOT's decision.
"Actually, nothing changed our minds," she said. "This was something we were looking at. We were looking at the schools before the speed zone changes."
Mundinger doesn't buy that.
"I do think they are hearing from people. I've had several people contact me on it, including Tom Holland," he said of the area's representative in the Kansas House.
As KDOT reviews its decision, Mundinger would prefer a speed reduction in front of his school, from 55 mph to 45 mph. And flashing lights, he said, should be installed to warn about the dangers of a nearby hill.
Qualls said the issue of signs near the schools will be reviewed.
"It's going to vary according to location," she said. "They are going to review all the schools in this program. Where are the speed zones? Where are the locations?
"KDOT will look at what's best for each school. It's not a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all. KDOT is really concerned about these schools."
Comments
bige1030 5 years, 9 months ago
If I'm not mistaken, school zones have to be 20 mph by law. So the Legislature needs to make a new law allowing a 45 mph (or some other appropriate speed) school zone on a road where the speed limit is 55-70 or something like that. Then it would be so easy for KDOT to give the schools what they want and need while giving drivers a chance to go faster - a reduced speed around the schools but with a higher speed limit outside of the school zone.
Pywacket 5 years, 9 months ago
Apparently you ARE mistaken--but I wish you weren't. Perhaps that is the law when schools are within the city limits. Stupidly, it is NOT the law for schools outside the city limits. The speed limit is 55 in front of Lawrence's Wakarusa Elementary (no slow down at all) and it is currently 55 in front of the Baldwin Elementary School in this article.
At least, at Wakarusa, there is a very long sight distance--no one is likely to pull out of Wak's driveway and get nailed by someone coming over a blind hill or around a curve. There is also far less traffic. At the BES school, however, there IS a slight hill to the west--and raising the already-too-high-to-stop-safely speed limit through that stretch of road would just increase the already-good odds that someone is going to get nailed--possibly with a car- or busload of little kids. There is also relatively heavy traffic, including a lot of rigs, heavy construction vehicles, etc.
Does it make sense to have a 20-mph school zone past schools that are already on poky 30-mph streets but NOT have a slowdown (even to 45) zone past schools that are on 55-mph roads? I don't think so. There are kids who bike or walk to BES, as well, and I don't believe there is any sidewalk on that stretch of road leading from the school east toward town.
Since the speed limit on 56 slows to 45 just a short way east of the school anyway (because it's going past the town; then it slows further to 35), I don't know why KDOT refused to include the school area in that 45-mph zone when the school was built. I don't think anybody would have a problem with the highway speed rising to 60 if the school were within the 45-mph zone...
merrill 5 years, 9 months ago
KDOT could consider delegating local control on traffic matters. K-10 could use some local control. People do not need to drive fast where schools are located and in session.
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