NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Buhler USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman knows it will be an adjustment when the traffic light at 30th and Lucille is taken down later this month.
"We want everyone to be very cautious, especially at drop off time and dismissal time at Prairie Hills," Couchman said. "If you're traveling along that road during those hours, if you can find an alternative route to work, to free up any congestion, that wouldn't be needed, it might be a good idea until we can get that traffic flow pattern started again."
It will go back to 30th being a through street and stop signs on Lucille on both sides of the intersection.
"We, obviously, are also asking our parents to be very patient during pick up time," Couchman said. "Without the light, those left hand turns coming on to 30th are going to take some time."
Couchman said if they can get buses out of the lot, the traffic flow goes a lot faster. With school starting at PHMS at 7:45 a.m., things start to get busy early.
"About 7:20 a.m. to about 7:45 a.m., I would expect traffic to be very heavy along 30th and Lucille," Couchman said. "Dismissal is at 2:50 p.m. Really from about 2:30 p.m. to about 3:15 p.m., that time period, it will be heavy traffic."
Couchman said the last time she drove through at pickup time, even with the existing stoplight, traffic was backed up on 30th all the way to Apple Lane. Especially until young drivers figure out their most efficient route, it will be important to be patient with the process.
August 23 at 8:30 a.m., new stop signs will be installed on Lucille and the temporary traffic signal at 30th and Lucille will be placed on flash, yellow flashing for 30th and red flashing for Lucille. The traffic signal will stay on flash until Aug. 30, at which time it will be removed.
Public Works says a recent traffic signal analysis of the intersection showed that the temporary traffic signal is no longer needed.