Traffic flow at Chillicothe High School during peak periods should improve and be made safer with changes now approved by the city, county and school district. The city on Monday night agreed to pay up to $6,202.17 in a partnership project with the school district, county and the state.

The improvements will be at the intersection of Missouri 190, Hornet Drive and Tomahawk just south of the high school and includes an extended turning lane and a flashing light. The first part of the improvement involves extending the westbound right turn lane from 140 feet to 300 feet with an additional 140-foot taper and installation of a raised delineator system along the lane line to force those drivers wanting to turn right to enter the lane early. The Missouri Department of Transportation will pay for half of the project cost while the balance will be split equally with a local match.

The second part of the improvement includes the installation of a solar-powered advanced school flasher assembly for both the eastbound and westbound Missouri 190 traffic at either the school property lines or a pre-designated distance from the intersection. The assembly can either establish a school speed limit or just show an advance school warning sign. The assembly is expected to cost $7,200 which will be paid for completely with local funds. The school district and city have addressed the issue for some time since the new high school was opened in 2000. School Superintendent Dale Wallace said there is usually one serious wreck at the intersection each year and many near-misses.

City to Enter into School Traffic Plan
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Traffic flow at Chillicothe High School during peak periods would improve and be made safer with changes now being considered by the city of Chillicothe and the Chillicothe R-2 School District. The city on Monday night agreed to pay an estimated $9,300 in a partnership project with the school district and the state. The improvements would be at the intersection of Missouri 190, Hornet Drive and Tomahawk just south of the high school and would include an extended turning lane and a flashing light.

The highway project involves extending the westbound right turn lane from 140 feet to 300 feet with an additional 140-foot taper and installation of a raised delineator system along the lane line to force those drivers wanting to turn right to enter the lane early. MoDOT would pay for half of the project cost while the balance would be split equally with a local match.

The second part of the improvement would include the installation of a solar-powered advanced school flasher assembly for both the eastbound and westbound Missouri 190 traffic at either the school property lines or a pre-designated distance from the intersection. The assembly can either establish a school speed limit or just show an advance school warning sign. The assembly is expected to cost $7,200 which would be paid for completely with local funds.

“The traffic there has always been horrible,” School Superintendent Dale Wallace told council members during their workshop meeting Monday night at City Hall. He said that there is usually one serious wreck at the intersection each year and many near-misses.

The city and school district have been talking with the MoDOT about this issue and were told that the intersection does not warrant a traffic light. Wallace said that the school board, which meets tonight (Tuesday), will likely approve partial funding for the improvements. The city's funds would come either from the street fund or the capital improvements fund, City Auditor Theresa Kelly said. Several on the council suggested that the the county and township be asked to help with costs. According to Mayor Chuck Haney, MoDOT would like to bid the school project together with the project for the new road at the new correctional center in north Chillicothe.