New turn lanes on U.S. Highway 40 west of the South Lawrence Trafficway would just have to wait under a proposal up for consideration Wednesday by Douglas County commissioners.

The request, from First United Methodist Church, would allow the church to avoid installing turn lanes on the highway in front of its campus at 867 Highway 40, which is at the southwest corner of the trafficway and the rural extension of West Sixth Street.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider the request at their weekly meeting, which begins at 4 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.

The church stipulates that the lanes — originally approved by the Kansas Department of Transportation as part of the church’s plans for opening a preschool at the campus — are now unnecessary.

KDOT officials agree. Statistics show that expected traffic conflicts — both actual and potential — hadn’t materialized since the school opened in August 2007.

The lanes would cost at least $300,000, said Phil Struble, chairman of the church’s board of trustees.

Commissioner Jim Flory said he would like KDOT to consider reducing the speed limit in the area to 45 mph as a way to help increase safety in the area.

In other action Wednesday, commissioners will consider establishing new speed limits on three rural roads:

• 40 mph along East 2300 Road, from U.S. Highway 56 to County Road 460.
• 35 mph on North 400 Road, from County Road 1061 to East 2400 Road.
• 45 mph along East 1900 Road, from North 1 Road to U.S. 56.