Pittsburg, university mull new traffic light at busy intersection

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September 20, 2008

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Sat Sep 20, 2008, 04:48 PM CDT

By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Citing potential hazards to students, the city of Pittsburg and officials with Pittsburg State University plan to discuss a joint venture to add a traffic signal at the intersection of Ford and Rouse streets. The discussions will take place during the regular meeting of the Pittsburg City Commission at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

With the opening of a new student recreation center in late August, a new 100-plus unit apartment complex and the location of the Kansas Technology Center at that same corner, Pittsburg public works officials said the intersection is seeing a significant increase in traffic.

“We recognize that area has had a traffic increase, and it’s only going to increase with all the new facilities in the area,” said Bill Beasley, the city’s director of public works.

Beasley said the city undertook a traffic study of the road about three years ago, and that even with all the new additions, traffic flow is not high enough for the state of Kansas to provide funds for a new signal.

“There is a high-volume of traffic there, but the intersection doesn’t meet any of the warrants (for state funding),” he said.

Beasley estimated the light would cost $130,000 to install, and if approved, would likely be in place by spring of 2009.

John Patterson, PSU’s vice president for administration and campus life, said the university would also like a traffic light installed, as the long-term plans for campus expansion point east across Rouse Street.

“We’re convinced that over the long term, the growth of PSU will move to the east,” he said. “As a result of that, we’ll have an increase in traffic on Rouse.”

Patterson said the university intends to put forth half the funds to complete the project, with those monies coming from the school’s parking fund. Revenue for the parking fund is generated by the sale of parking permits and fines collected by campus police for parking violations, not from state tax dollars.

“It’s money that’s generated each year to essentially improve parking and traffic-related issues on the campus,” he said.

The vote would require a simple-majority of the five-member commission.

Pittsburg Mayor Pam Henderson, who works in the admissions office at the university, said Friday that she will be abstaining from the vote, due to potential conflict of interest of having to vote on a contract between the city and her employer.

Worth it

Pittsburg City Commissioner Bill Rushton said he supports putting a light in at the intersection of Ford and Rouse streets.

“It’s a safety issue,” said Rushton, a retired member of the Pittsburg Police Department. “If we spend $75,000 and save one life, it’s worth it.”

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