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High School Traffic Safety to be Improved Traffic flow at Chillicothe High School during peak periods should improve and be made safer with changes now approved by the city, county and school district. The city on Monday night agreed to pay up to $6,202.17 in a partnership project with the school district, county and the state. The improvements will be at the intersection of Missouri 190, Hornet Drive and Tomahawk just south of the high school and includes an extended turning lane and a flashing light. The first part of the improvement involves extending the westbound right turn lane from 140 feet to 300 feet with an additional 140-foot taper and installation of a raised delineator system along the lane line to force those drivers wanting to turn right to enter the lane early. The Missouri Department of Transportation will pay for half of the project cost while the balance will be split equally with a local match. The second part of the improvement includes the installation of a solar-powered advanced school flasher assembly for both the eastbound and westbound Missouri 190 traffic at either the school property lines or a pre-designated distance from the intersection. The assembly can either establish a school speed limit or just show an advance school warning sign. The assembly is expected to cost $7,200 which will be paid for completely with local funds. The school district and city have addressed the issue for some time since the new high school was opened in 2000. School Superintendent Dale Wallace said there is usually one serious wreck at the intersection each year and many near-misses. R-2 Board
Approves Intersection Upgrades The Chillicothe R-2 school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to partner with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the city and possibly the county to fund changes in the intersection near the Chillicothe High School. The action occurred Tuesday evening at R-2 district headquarters during the board's regular January meeting. The improvements would be at the intersection of Missouri 190, Hornet Drive and Tomahawk just south of the high school and would include an extended turning lane and a flashing light. The highway project involves extending the westbound right turn lane from 140 feet to 300 feet with an additional 140-foot taper and installation of a raised delineator system along the lane line to force those drivers wanting to turn right to enter the lane early. MoDOT would pay for half of the project cost while the balance would be split equally with a local match. The second part of the improvement would include the installation of a solar-powered advanced school flasher assembly for both the eastbound and westbound Missouri 190 traffic at either the school property lines or a pre-designated distance from the intersection. The assembly can either establish a school speed limit or just show an advance school warning sign. The assembly is expected to cost $7,200 which would be paid for completely with local funds. The city and school district have been talking with the MoDOT about this issue and were told that the intersection does not warrant a traffic light. Board members also advised Superintendent Dale Wallace to approach the city regarding lowering the speed limit in the area and/or installing speed bumps to further slow traffic down. The board's vote is contingent on the city's participation in funding the project.
City to Enter into School Traffic Plan Traffic flow at Chillicothe High School during peak periods would improve and be made safer with changes now being considered by the city of Chillicothe and the Chillicothe R-2 School District. The city on Monday night agreed to pay an estimated $9,300 in a partnership project with the school district and the state. The improvements would be at the intersection of Missouri 190, Hornet Drive and Tomahawk just south of the high school and would include an extended turning lane and a flashing light. The highway project involves extending the westbound right turn lane from 140 feet to 300 feet with an additional 140-foot taper and installation of a raised delineator system along the lane line to force those drivers wanting to turn right to enter the lane early. MoDOT would pay for half of the project cost while the balance would be split equally with a local match. The second part of the improvement would include the installation of a solar-powered advanced school flasher assembly for both the eastbound and westbound Missouri 190 traffic at either the school property lines or a pre-designated distance from the intersection. The assembly can either establish a school speed limit or just show an advance school warning sign. The assembly is expected to cost $7,200 which would be paid for completely with local funds. “The traffic there has always been horrible,” School Superintendent Dale Wallace told council members during their workshop meeting Monday night at City Hall. He said that there is usually one serious wreck at the intersection each year and many near-misses. The city and school district have been talking with the MoDOT about this issue and were told that the intersection does not warrant a traffic light. Wallace said that the school board, which meets tonight (Tuesday), will likely approve partial funding for the improvements. The city's funds would come either from the street fund or the capital improvements fund, City Auditor Theresa Kelly said. Several on the council suggested that the the county and township be asked to help with costs.
R-2 to Discuss
Safety Improvements to Intersection Over the past few weeks, the Chillicothe R-2 School District has been in discussions with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the city concerning safety improvements to the Hornet Drive and Highway 190 intersection. Dale Wallace, R-2 Superintendent will offer possible solutions with the R-2 board Tuesday night during the regular January meeting held at district headquarters. The meeting is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. Wallace is recommending that the district share the cost of safety improvements at the intersection with the city. Specifically, he is endorsing the extension of the right turn lane and installation of solar advanced school flashers. The recommended safety improvements would cost the district and the city about $9,000 to $10,000 each, Wallace said. MoDOT did conduct another traffic study at the intersection, Wallace says, but once again, it found that a stop light was not warranted there. “In my opinion, in the long run, a street is still needed on the north side of the high school running east to Highway 65,” Wallace said. He added, however, “In the short term, this should provide a safer intersection for what is currently the only entry into the facility.” Board Members will also consider capping the district's mileage rate at 48.5 cents. Wallace says that the IRS mileage rate is going to 50.5 cents from the current 48.5 cents and the district adopted a policy a few years ago to mirror the federal rate. "From a budgetary point of view, I'm of the opinion that we need to cap the mileage rate and you (the board) can address it periodically as the need arises," Wallace said. Also during the meeting board members will hear reports on Dewey School's Professional Learning Community, the District's Annual Report, generated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the food service and A-Plus programs and the district's audit. The board is also slated to review Missouri School Board Association policy updates. An executive session is planned following the regular meeting for the purpose of employing, discussing and evaluating, real estate and personal matters. |
