A traffic signal isn’t the right solution for the intersection of the South Lawrence Trafficway and Kasold Drive.

Despite an accident at the intersection last week, the Kansas Department of Transportation said changes to the intersection are unlikely. That’s reasonable. It is incumbent on motorists on Kasold to follow the “right-in, right-out” configuration of the intersection and not try to cross the highway there.

The intersection was the subject of debate among city, county and state transportation officials in recent months. City and county officials lobbied the state to install a traffic signal at the intersection, but the state decided to use barriers to limit the intersection to right-in and right-out turning movements. The barrier — a series of poles separating the westbound and eastbound lanes of the Trafficway that stretch the width of Kasold — makes it clear that the motorist cannot cross there.

During debate about the future of the intersection, concerns were raised that motorists would still try to cross the highway, which was one of the reasons a majority of city and county commissioners lobbied for a traffic signal.

KDOT spokeswoman Kim Qualls said it would be difficult to make quick improvements to stop motorists from trying to cross the highway. She said installing more substantial concrete barriers to prevent motorists from crossing wouldn’t be feasible. KDOT has been reluctant to make major improvements at the intersection because the state hopes to improve the entire western leg of the SLT to a four-lane facility in future years. Any improvements made at the intersection now would have to be torn out as part of the expansion project.

Advocates of the traffic signal option argue that it is uncertain when the SLT would be expanded and that the signal is the safest option now.

The South Lawrence Trafficway recently opened from its eastern connection to Kansas Highway 10 all the way to the western connection with Interstate 70. The long awaited bypass has been celebrated as a welcome connector between Topeka and Johnson County. It is expected to greatly reduce travel times for commuters and ease congestion through Lawrence. Traffic signals are contrary to the highway’s purpose.

Originally, KDOT wanted to close the Kasold intersection, but after residents lobbied for access there, the “right-in, right-out” configuration with barriers was adopted. It is reasonable to expect motorists to be able to follow the rules at the intersection.