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Downtown traffic lights could be removedTell North Platte what you think
 
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Lights on East 4th could be removed, as well as others.

Several downtown traffic lights as well as the traffic light at Ninth and Willow would be removed if the city council approves the recommendations of a consultant from Lincoln.

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The council took a look at the number of traffic lights and their locations around town Tuesday during a work session.

Mark E. Lutjeharms of Schemmer Architects of Lincoln presented the results of a study that his firm conducted in October of motor vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic and the history of accidents at several intersections.


Removal

In the study, several downtown intersections were listed as having potential for signals to be removed.

Those are:

• East Fourth St. at the corners of Dewey, Bailey and Chestnut.

• Jeffers St. at Second, Third and Fifth.

Also, the study recommends removing the signal at Ninth and Willow, west of Lincoln Elementary.


Added

Intersections under consideration for signals are Second and Willow, Buffalo Bill Ave and West A, and Fourth St at Tabor and at Bryan.


Enhancements

The study also includes information on crash data and lists these intersections where painted lane markers, wider turn lanes and better visibility are recommended.

• Philip Ave at Cottonwood and at Oak.

• Oak St. at B and at E.

• Sixth and Taft

• Newberry Road and Commerce Dr. (Commerce Drive is just south of Flying J, where semi-trucks leaving the truck stop pull onto Newberry.)


Questions

Councilman Brook Baker questioned Lutjeharms on the accuracy of the survey of pedestrian traffic near the splash park in Memorial Park on East Fourth and Lincoln Elementary near Ninth and Willow.

Baker noted that the study was conducted in October, when not many people are out walking.

“That’s a good question, but the weather was nice when we did the study,” Lutjeharms said.

Baker had been reading the 89-page study as Lutjeharms explained it to the council.

“Not according to your summary,” Baker said. “It shows temps in the 30s, and that’s pretty cold for a four-year-old to be out walking.”

Lutjeharms did not respond.

The council took the study under consideration. No further action is planned yet.


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The North Platte Bulletin - Published 3/6/2013
Copyright © 2013 northplattebulletin.com - All rights reserved.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc. - 1300 E 4th St., Suite F - North Platte, NE 69101
 
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I am very concerned about removing the light at third and Jeffers. I think it will become very difficult for pedestrians to cross back and forth from the jailside to the courthouse.
+3
Posted by bearsaurus    - 3/9/2013 8:07:46 AM
(0 current warnings - 0 warnings total)

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Not that confusing, just stay to the right of the island in the center, before you start going around look to your left to make sure nobody is coming. They work great for slowing traffic down which is what a lot of NP needs, and if the creative arts council wanted to do something they could commission statues to put in the center which would give the town a little bit of culture and eye candy (also something NP needs).
-11
Posted by Mike    - 3/8/2013 8:14:58 AM
(0 current warnings - 3 warnings total)

I agree, good job Mr. Baker, question everything. I really think traffic on east 4th street needs something done, 40 mph up to the park is dangerous. I have watched kids try to get across the street to the splash pad or just to school and cars are usually still going 40ish up to the quicky mart. On a final note, round abouts, please put that idea in the trash where it belongs, those things are confusing.
-16
Posted by joshuawelden    - 3/8/2013 6:19:50 AM
(0 current warnings - 0 warnings total)

A politican who actually reads things before voting or commenting and questioning the basis of the study? BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO Mr. Baker, You have a great opportunity to make a differnce. Keep up the good work.
+24
Posted by PB    - 3/7/2013 9:15:15 AM
(0 current warnings - 0 warnings total)

Getting across traffic onto East 4th is a long wait, and hope they plz do something about Leota and Dewey. That has to be the most dangerous intersection in town.
+4
Posted by original    - 3/7/2013 3:46:13 AM
(0 current warnings - 0 warnings total)

What about welch and E 4th. With traffic from the businesses there, it simetimes is a long wait to get across that street. Seems like they think some lights in downtown should be removed, but to add some on areas that don't need them.
-6
Posted by rowdy1    - 3/7/2013 12:18:05 AM
(0 current warnings - 3 warnings total)

Why on Earth North Platte needs to pay consultants from outside to tell us where we need and don't need traffic lights is beyond me!! Is there no one locally that has the sense to figure this out? It would seem to me that someone who knows the city, travels the local roads and observes traffic patterns on a daily basis would have more idea of what is needed than someone from the outside!! And as some of you have pointed out - some of these recommendations (from the outside) were made years ago and absolutely nothing was done! Example: Ridiculous left turn lanes!! How much did the city have to spend to have someone from the outside tell us to replace some lights with stop signs?? Unbelievable!
+23
Posted by plan9_frm_outerspace    - 3/6/2013 6:03:58 PM
(0 current warnings - 0 warnings total)

You are right on Gizzmo. The city has spent thousands on consultants only to ignor the results received. Buffalo Bill is still in the kennel at Cody Park, the stupid left turn only lanes must be someones baby from high up the food chain since they seem to make it through every consultant and citizen's wish for removal. I wouldn't count on anything happening based on a study other than it becoming an annual event.
+6
Posted by sako    - 3/6/2013 3:23:15 PM
(0 current warnings - 0 warnings total)

I think generally these are good ideas, yeah theres a couple misses like the ones that have to do with school children, but thats why we have the oppourtunity to speak up and say hey this one's not right. Most of the adds I think are good ones & the enhancements too. Why focus on the negative, they got a lot right..
+6
Posted by faceless_voice    - 3/6/2013 1:39:23 PM
(0 current warnings - 2 warnings total)

Im glad to see baker questioning things a sure sign of how nice its going to be to have some youth and a different view in the city council other than what has always seemed to be people with pretty one sided views running this town. Keep it up baker. Signed- one very proud supporter,
+28
Posted by bigmanlilvoice    - 3/6/2013 11:16:52 AM
(0 current warning - 1 warnings total)

roobuddah, I recommend you contact your city council representatives. gizzmo, lights were removed downtown on 5th.
+3
Posted by George Lauby    - 3/6/2013 9:35:10 AM
(2 current warnings - 11 warnings total)

What ever happened to the studies and recommendations done 4 or so years ago? Nothing. And I believe there was a study and recommendations made before that...and nothing happened. What about the recommendations to remove the silly left turn lanes part way down Dewey and Louie...opps...Jeffers streets? Bet nothing happens with the new recommendations either. Just another dust collector.
+7
Posted by gizzmo    - 3/6/2013 9:21:49 AM
(0 current warnings - 3 warnings total)

DO NOT remove the one at 9th & Willow. I feel it is the best way to control traffic for the school children in that area. If anything should be done it should be a 4way complete stop when school starts & ends, with cross walks put in. Taking it completely away is just asking for an accident to happen to one of those little children who have to walk to & from school. Who do I need to contact to object of them taking out those lights? Anyone know?
-1
Posted by roobuddah    - 3/6/2013 9:13:40 AM
(0 current warnings - 0 warnings total)

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