With construction of a new G&W Foods grocery store expected to start as early as April, and a potential apartment complex coming in shortly thereafter, Iola City Council members discussed once again whether the old hospital curve nearby needs to be redesigned.
Council members agreed that now is the time to consider any changes, but differed on how to approach those changes, and what type of study was necessary.
The first step, they ultimately agreed — following a 40-plus minute discussion — was to get data on the number of traffic accidents at the curve’s intersection with Madison Avenue, First Street and East Street.
They also directed Carl Slaugh to begin inquiring with the Kansas Department of Transportation about the possibility of adding a crosswalk somewhere near or along the curve, where U.S. 54 intersects with First Street, a popular crossing point for schoolchildren.
But there was less consensus on whether a full-scale engineering study was needed for other potential projects, such as straightening the curve, removing a 4-foot retaining wall and lowering the grade on the southeast side of the curve, or changing U.S. 54 from a four-lane roadway to three or two lanes with bicycle corridors.
“The challenge is we just don’t have enough information,” Slaugh said. “If development goes in two stages, we really can’t start engineering work until we know how they’re going to propose the layout.”
David Toland, executive director of Thrive Allen County, told the Council G&W engineers are developing a site plan, and should be done shortly in order for construction to begin in April.
Councilman Jon Wells noted the curve has long been considered one of the most dangerous places in town for traffic.
“But I don’t think it’s as risky as it’s been said,” he added. “I don’t know how much money to put” on altering the curve if it’s not necessary.
“I’d rather fix Kentucky Street than spend a bunch of money on U.S. 54,” he said.
Slaugh noted KDOT is under no obligation to fund any alterations to the curve. Thus, any project would be funded by the city, unless it was determined to be necessary to accommodate any development.
“Then the developer would be on the hook,” Slaugh said.
“An engineer’s study would take care of a lot of issues,” Councilman Donald Becker added. “We could decide what kind of money we’re talking about.”
Toland noted the time constraints of ordering a full-scale engineer’s study, particularly since the Council will not meet a second time in December.
If the Council orders a study in January, and the study takes up to two months, it pushes the results almost back to the time when G&W and other developers are ready to start construction.
“Is there data that suggests the hospital curve is more dangerous than other areas with comparable car counts?” Toland asked.
Not yet, Councilwoman Nancy Ford replied.
She urged Slaugh to get the number of accidents at the curve from Police Chief Jared Warner.
Councilman Aaron Franklin said a crossing light, similar to what is used to mark the Prairie Spirit Trail’s intersection with North State Street, would “take care of a lot of issues.”
Such a system would cost $50,000 or more, particularly if advance lights were necessary to the west and east to make a pedestrian crossing more visible.
Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock, meanwhile, noted the city would lose some KDOT funding if U.S. 54 were reduced from a four-lane corridor.
“We get paid per lane mile,” he noted.
Mayor Joel Wicoff said an engineer’s study needn’t take two months. “The more information we can give them, and the more clear we can be with what we want, the faster an engineer can respond. I think we can get this expedited.”
Franklin agreed, noting the curve study could be done independent of the private development nearby.
“We have to be careful,” Franklin said. “If we hurry, we may make mistakes. We have to be careful of delaying progress of the developers, but if it’s important to the city, we should pursue it.”
Iola council continues hospital curve debate
