The Weston Board of Aldermen has opened up discussions on two different areas where traffic safety is a concern along state highways throughout the city.
The board discussed both topics at a meeting held at City Hall on Friday, July 12. The special meeting was called because the regular meeting was missed earlier in the week.
On the agenda was an item to discuss the possibility of applying for a grant for a crosswalk along Hwy. 45. Mayor Kent Stelljes said the item has been on the agenda for years.
Having a crosswalk would be a tricky proposition considering the landscape along the highway with steep hills and blind curves. A study would have to be conducted just to determine where to locate a crosswalk. Alderman Mark Seymour said the city is in a tough spot considering all the variables.
“It’s just a bad location,” Seymour said.
Another idea the city has talked about is lowering the speed limit to 35 m.p.h. further south on Hwy. 45 but that is out of the city’s control because it’s the responsibility of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)
“MoDOT is not in favor of that from the conversations we’ve had in the past,” Stelljes.
The other safety concern for the board is the entrance to the Fidler’s Ridge addition along Hwy. P. Some are worried there is only one entrance to the housing development and that it’s near the intersection of highways P and 45. Seymour said an accident near that intersection could shut things down and cause other issues.
“If we have no access in or out of there and somebody needs medical assistance they’re screwed,” Seymour said.
Alderman Joyce Burch agreed with Seymour and said she wanted to look at all of the options.
“We may be living on borrowed time that something hasn’t happened out there,” Burch said.
The city may have to look at some options that could cost a lot. To add another entrance the city would have to purchase a lot of land that’s owner is already asking a steep price. Seymour said the fire district won’t contribute any money because they believe the issue should have been resolved before any houses were built.
“I tend to agree with them,” Seymour said. “That should have been put in before they started over there.”
Alderman Steve Unfred expressed some skepticism about needing another entrance and pointed to developments in Platte City along N Highway that are constructed with only one entrance. However, Unfred also said he would like to make sure and ask a professional who studies these issues.
“It would be worth having somebody other than (all of us) just look at it,” Unfred said.