County supports 31st St. design / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, November 20, 2008

Planned extension would go east to County Road 1057

By Mark Boyle

County commissioners support the expansion of 31st Street.

By George Diepenbrock

November 20, 2008

Douglas County commissioners drew a line Wednesday night.

They supported an engineer’s design to extend 31st Street east of Haskell Avenue to County Road 1057.

“At least everybody knows when the road is built, this is where it is likely to be,” commissioner Bob Johnson said.

Neither the county nor the city has secured funding or purchased land to expand the street in what could cost in excess of $10 million. But commissioners said it was important to show support for the design, even if a finished product is as far as 25 years away.

A steering committee and the public provided input to engineers for several months before engineers designed the extension that curved south around Mary’s Lake and also back to the north, east of O’Connell Road.

County commissioners unanimously supported the design, saying it was important for property owners to be aware of the plans as the area develops to the east.

Support was not unanimous, however, for the 45 mph speed limit the design calls for. Commissioner Charles Jones said he wanted to hear more about the cost differences compared with a street designed for a 35 mph speed limit.

Commissioners have said that when the new 31st Street completely reaches County Road 1057, it likely will be within the city limits. Jones said then the city should take the lead in supporting the speed limit concept.

Johnson and commissioner Jere McElhaney supported the 45 mph design. County staff members had said if the county purchased land for the road with a slower design speed in mind, the county would have to likely purchase more land later to one day increase the speed limit if it is needed.

The bulk of the route is a two-lane road, but the design includes a turn lane near East Hills Business Park. Areas for biking and walking are included.

City commissioners are expected to consider the alignment in December.