NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As part of the council comments portion of Tuesday's City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Greg Fast brought up issues along 30th, beginning with the signal at 30th and Halstead.
"We're trying to make our road better and here's what's coming, a protected left turn for east and west bound traffic at 30th and Halstead," Fast said, "Where are we at with that?"
City Manager Mary Grace Clements said there have been supply chain issues with the pole.
"The traffic signal pole itself is a temporary pole at this moment, Clements said. "The pole has been ordered, but, ironically, that's a six to nine month get. The techs are working. The intent is to make a left turn there. We don't have a designated turn lane, but we feel confident that there's a way to set up the traffic signal lights to help with that congestion."
That means it will be next spring before they get the pole. Also, while talking about that corner, Fast had another question. He said someone who works at that corner noticed pedestrians trying to walk from the residential area to the north east toward PrairieStar on the north side of 30th.
"Can we put a sidewalk in on the north side of 30th, Halstead east to PrairieStar?" Fast inquired. "I've reached out to some decision makers at PrairieStar. They are certainly willing to partner with the city on getting sidewalks on the north side of 30th. There's already sidewalk coming east on the south side of 30th."
Clements said they would do additional work to find out if that is possible.
"We'll get some work ups to understand the economics to that," Clements said. "Then we can talk to PrairieStar and see where we are with that."
The intersection with K-61 makes it difficult to use the south sidewalk that goes in front of Union Valley Elementary for that purpose.
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