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MoDOT
to meet with city about intersetction
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by Kim
Fickett
Landmark reporter
A traffic study developed by Platte City
Police Chief Joe McHale is being used by city officials
in an effort to place a dangerous intersection on Missouri
Department of Transportation’s radar screen.
Platte City Mayor Dave Brooks asked McHale
to prepare the study after he addressed the board of aldermen
in general discussion regarding his concerns for the safety
of the intersection of 92 Hwy and Marshall Road in an
Oct. 11 meeting.
As reported in the Landmark, during that
meeting Brooks stated, “We’re going to have
a horrible accident up there someday and a lot of people
are going to be killed.”
Brooks referenced how he had recently
driven to Cash Saver and parked to watch the traffic that
travels through the intersection on a daily basis.
He mentioned his concern of how cars and
trucks pop over the hill and for the vehicles turning
off Marshall and by the post office it’s difficult
to see traffic until they’re at the top of the hill.
Discussion was also held on how westbound Hwy 92 reduces
from two lanes to one lane at the intersection of Marshall.
Those concerns addressed by Brooks, were
also documented by McHale in his traffic study that was
presented to the board of aldermen and will be given to
MoDOT.
“The intersection is considered a
hazardous location due to the four lane to two lane merge
with the westbound traffic. The merge at this location
poses the greatest risk to the motoring public,”
said McHale in the traffic study.
According to the study, the westbound
speed limit is 45 mph until Prairie View Road where the
speed limit decreases to 35 mph. McHale sited that his
police department conducts constant speed enforcement
with the majority of traffic speeding citations being
written on Missouri 92 Hwy between NW Prairie View Road
and Marshall Road.
“The significant factors in the risk
associated with this intersection are excessive speed,
abrupt lane merge, and turn lane configuration. Additional
causative factors are inclement weather and wet streets,
as well as darkness.”
In 2004, there were four vehicular accidents
at the intersection with two of those accidents involving
minor injuries.
From January to October 2005, there have
been three vehicular accidents at that location resulting
in two minor injuries. Two accidents included rear end
collisions, with the other accident a right angle collision
with a vehicle.
“Two of the three accidents are noteworthy
as they involved a rear end collision. Westbound vehicles
struck the rear of a vehicle turning left at the intersection.
Driver inattention and speed were causative factors in
these accidents,” reported the study.
McHale told The Landmark that the greatest
danger at that intersection is the driver.
“The greatest danger in that intersection
is the actual driver,” he said. “The driver’s
inattention and speed are the greatest dangers in that
intersection.”
According to McHale, in his opinion the
city and MoDOT need to look at three proposals ranging
from short term to long term solutions for the intersection.
“There are three proposals you need
to look at. First is the immediate, which is sign placement,”
said McHale. “The main area of threat is westbound
92 Hwy at Marshall Road. The danger lies in that the turn
lane ends abruptly and there is not sufficient warning
to allow people to merge to the left.
“There needs to be additional speed
signs in both directions on 92 Hwy and we will continue
to enforce the speed limit that changes from 45 to 35
westbound in front of the high school.”
The second recommendation would allow
MoDOT to conduct a traffic study, observe the intersection
and consider putting a traffic light at that intersection,
according to McHale.
Finally, McHale suggested a long range
suggestion that includes the reconfiguration of the intersection
to add an additional lane for east and west Missouri 92
Highway.
“I believe the first recommendation
is fairly simplistic and can be achieved in no time. The
second recommendation is more costly and will certainly
need a study by MoDOT. The last recommendation is a long
term project,” said McHale, stating he believes the
long term project may be able to be achieved in five years
or more.
“I believe it is an intersection
that needs to be looked at by MoDOT and there needs to
be an in-depth study that needs to be performed before
anything’s done,” stated McHale.
While the chief recognizes the need to
address the issues at 92 Hwy and Marshall Road, he also
feels the safety of the intersection is held in the hands
of drivers who travel that stretch of roadway each day.
“I firmly believe the intersection
needs some work but I also state that people need to slow
down and pay attention, especially in the early morning
hours when they are going to work,” stated McHale.
Brooks, along with City Administrator
Keith Moody, MoDOT District Engineer Beth Wright and Area
Engineer Cristin Munck will meet at 9 a.m., Nov. 17 at
city hall to discuss the dangers of 92 and Marshall as
well as contributions MoDOT may be able to make to the
project.
“(The mayor) asked us to take a look
at the intersection because I believe he’s concerned
with some of the geometrics,” said Wright.
“In the meantime we’ll look
at the accident history to see if there’s something
that’s consistent which comes up that people are
having issues with that intersection, as well as lane
configuration and if it’s causing people problems,
see if there’s something we can do to help people
drive through that area.”
Wright said she is unsure if MoDOT would
have funds available for the project.
“It would have to compete with other
projects that need attention in the district and there
are eight counties in the district,” she said.
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