Suddenly they change their minds
It is early Tuesday morning and in a few hours the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin will be at DEADLINE. But events seem to be happening at breakneck speed for those of us in southern Marion County who regularly use U.S.-50 and U.S.-77, and I would like to fill you in on what I know.
Following the tragic deaths of two Marion teenagers Thursday, the Kansas Department of Transportation has suddenly developed an interest in the deadly intersection where they were killed. After decades of declaring the intersection safe and denying the city of Florence its request for more studies or more effective signage, it appears the KDOT has reversed itself and bolted into action.
The Florence ambulance folks have records of wrecks and fatalities going back years and years. There also are copies of letters from KDOT officials telling concerned city and emergency personnel there is nothing to worry about. In writing they insisted "
I have never seen a KDOT official at a council meeting. The only communications I have ever heard read at any of the meetings denied yet another request from the city for a chance to be heard, to find a solution to the problem at U.S-50/77.
As recently as two months ago there was some communication from KDOT suggesting a four-way stop at the intersection. This solution was not well received in Florence. Most folks were afraid it would only lead to more deaths as motorists were "rear-ended" by 18-wheelers flying down either highway. A KDOT spokesman assured the mayor that no change would take place at the intersection without KDOT first conferring with the community leaders and the county commissioners.
Amazing how quickly they altered that plan! As of yesterday KDOT had ordered a "locate" for underground utilities at the intersection. A city employee was informed that signs were ordered, the project will move ahead. A four-way stop is finally in Florence's future.
No meetings, no studies, no surveys, nothing the average citizen would assume is necessary to make the change about which the state agency has been dragging its collective feet for decades! It was NEVER a problem intersection — they said so. Now suddenly it IS a problem intersection and they are scrambling for all they are worth to fix it.
Makes you wonder whose head is rolling, doesn't it?
— SUSAN MARSHALL
