County muses 223rd options

By Catherine Odson, catherineodson@miconews.com

County officials will be taking a closer look at how Johnson County lowered its speed limit to 45 mph on county roads.

Miami County leaders have been considering studies and changes along the 223rd Street corridor from Gardner Road to the state line.

The commissioners asked county engineer Penny Evans and public works director J.R. McMahon to investigate how Johnson County adopted a blanket speed limit lower than the 55 mph set by the state. That process could help Miami County lower speed limits on some roads, they said.

During the June 11 meeting, Commissioner Ron Stiles asked Evans to investigate the possibility of doing a study of the road.

Evans and representatives from BHC Rhodes, an Overland Park-based engineering firm, drove the route one day at about 10 a.m. last month to get an idea of what a study would cost.

BHR Rhodes representatives said they noticed the road’s narrow shoulders, but didn’t see drivers disobeying the speed limit during that trip.

A double yellow line, prohibiting passing, had come up during discussions, but would not be feasible, Evans said.

Factoring in truck traffic is also an issue, Commission Chairman Jim Wise said. Many of those vehicles travel at 40 or 45 mph, he said.

Evans said that level of detail could be considered in a traffic audit but likely not a basic speed study.

A traffic audit, which would cost closer to $12,000, would look at speed as well as other things on the road that could pose problems. A speed study would cost closer to $2,000, according to commission documents. No action was taken.

During the Wednesday afternoon meeting, the commissioners:

Canceled the July 30 meeting because only three commissioners could attend.

Recognized Frank Kelly, the county’s emergency management coordinator, and Mike Welter, assistant emergency management coordinator, as Kansas Certified Emergency Managers.

Met as the county’s Public Building Commission to approve a resolution related to the 1998 bonds used to finance the County Administration Building. The bonds were sold Tuesday.

Approved deeds of dedication for lot splits in the Paola growth area at 271st Street and Victory Road and 271st and Woodland Road.

Met in executive session for 15 minutes.