ENM Council directs traffic plans

The Elko New Market City Council discussed plans for traffic concerning the intersection of Scott County Roads 2 and 91 and the two crosswalks along Main Street at its Thursday, Aug. 11, meeting. The council unanimously approved a motion to seek a grant from Scott County for proposed work at the intersection. Its general consensus for the crosswalks was to move forward with a county recommendation to place advanced warning signs to alert motorists about the crossings.

Scott County Traffic Manager Kate Miner presented information about both subjects to the council. The city had asked Scott County to review the safety operations for the two sites. Miner explained that County Road 2 is an A-Minor arterial road and County Road 91 is a collector road with stop signs and right and left turn lanes onto County Road 2. She also provided the latest traffic volumes for the roads. In 2014 Country Road 2 had 9,200 vehicles from the east and 6,900 from the west. In 2013, County Road 91 had 1,050 vehicles from the north and 4,050 vehicles from the south. She found that a Traffic Impact Study done in 2015 did not recommend signals be placed at the intersection.

Miner also collected data concerning crashes at the intersection. Between 2013-15 there were six crashes, one was a life changing injury, two were injuries that would take time to heal from, one was a temporary injury and two caused property damage. Four of the crashes happened in 2015 and two in 2013. She noted the crash rate, which is based on per million entering vehicles, at 2 and 91 is above the state average for similar intersections, but below the critical crash rate.

Miner was asked if any predictions had been done about the intersection, even concerning possible growth rate. She replied they hadn’t done any predictions and just looked at the available information. She noted that warrants, which are based on volumes of traffic, for signals at the intersection had not been met, although the county would keep evaluating the area. An all way stop was not recommended as there are too many approach lanes. (Country Road 2 has four lanes and 91 has two lanes.) The county’s Transportation Improvement Plan did not identify a project for the area. A roundabout for the intersection was a concept the county would not oppose. While Scott County would support research the city would do concerning a roundabout, it would not financially participate.

Miner said there are applications available for federal grants through Scott County concerning road work. The deadline for the application is September 1, although the Scott County Board of Commissioners will be approving a list of those interested on Tuesday, Aug. 16, and the funds won’t be available until 2020-21. Recipients of the grants will be selected by late November or early December. Miner noted if Elko New Market finds that the project isn’t viable financially it can withdraw from the program before the publishing date of the grants.

The city had previously considered a ....

To see more on the ENM Council pick up the August 18, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times. 

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