MoDOT Addresses Mitchell Road, Hornet Dr. Intersections
March 23, 2012

The dangerous intersection of Mitchell Road and US Highway 36 (above) was a topic of discussion at Thursday's MoDOT Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting in Trenton, along with the intersection of Hornet Drive and Highway 190. The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Thursday, March 22 in Trenton.

The TAC committee is charged with identifying transportation priorities in the northwest district of Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) jurisdiction, which includes 11 counties. According to Livingston County TAC member Todd Rodenberg: "Each year, TAC develops a regional transportation plan of priorities, which is submitted to MoDOT. MoDOT will then use the information when planning road improvements in the region."

At the March 22 meeting, TAC members also prioritized the regional transportation needs for the coming year and submitted them once more to the MoDOT representatives in attendance. The committee voted that the top priority need for the coming year is an unsafe bridge on Highway 13, over Log Creek and south of Kingston, Mo. The number three priority in the region, as identified by the committee, was voted to be the intersection of Highway 190 and Hornet Drive in Chillicothe.

Rodenberg defined the need to other TAC members, saying: "In light of existing and future proposed development of the high school campus - long-range plans involving the district consolidating their facilities at the site - improvements to the intersection are warranted in the interest of mitigating traffic congestion, and fostering safer, faster, and more efficient traffic flow."

MoDOT continues to work diligently with City and R-2 district officials and have several options to improve the intersection and other roadways around the high school and new stadium in mind. "Unfortunately," Rodenberg said, "road improvements, particularly of the magnitude of Mitchell Road and Hornet Drive take time." "We'd all like to snap our fingers and have the improvements completed," he said. "But the reality is that it is a painfully slow process. Both projects are MoDOT priorities, and with everyone working together, we'll continue to make progress."

School Zone Set for High School
March 13, 2012

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

CAPTION: Signs, similar to this one on Oak Street, near Field School, will soon be erected on Hornet Drive near Chillicothe High School.

Chillicothe High School has been added to the city's list of schools with designated speed zones. City Council members, during their regular meeting Monday evening at City Hall, approved an amendment to an existing ordinance, and added Hornet Drive, between Missouri 190 and the north city limits as a speed zone. The speed limit will be 20 mph.

The council, on Monday, also approved the placement of stop signs at the intersection of each entrance drive (three entrance drives) from the Chillicothe R-2 property onto Hornet Drive. These steps were approved as a measure to improve traffic safety in the area, especially immediately prior to school beginning each morning and immediately following school dismissal. "It's not a perfect solution for Hornet Drive, but it will make it safer," said City Administrator Ike Holland. First Ward Councilman Reed Dupy requested physical presence of police officers to enforce the zone. The signage is to be erected within the next couple of weeks.

GATES IN PLACE
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C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

Gates blocking the road directly south of Hornet Drive were put in use Monday, May 5, as a way to improve traffic safety near Chillicothe High School. The gates essentially eliminate a point of entry, with the intent that the chances of an accident occurring will be reduced. The gates will be used during the heaviest traffic flow periods, between 7:30 and 8 a.m., and again between 2:30 and 3 p.m., on school days. After a 90-day trial period, city and school officials will review the effectiveness of the gates' usage.

Slower Speed Limit Proposed on Hornet Drive Near High School
02/28/12 (City Council Meeting 02/27/12)

A slower speed limit and a school zone designation are expected to be established on Hornet Drive near Chillicothe High School. Council members gave a general consensus to the proposal during their regular semi-monthly meeting Monday evening at City Hall. No one representing the school district was present.

It is anticipated that an ordinance outlining specifics will be presented for consideration at the council's next regular meeting, which will be Monday, March 12. Also proposed is the placement of stop signs at the parking lot exit and the circle drive exit of the high school. This action was recommended by City Administrator Ike Holland.

Changes to Hornet Drive are proposed in an effort to improve traffic safety near the high school.

Another change for traffic in the area will be the installation of gates directly south of Hornet Drive and Missouri 190 to temporarily block traffic at that entry point for about 15 minutes immediately before and after school. The gates have been constructed, and are expected be set up this week, according to Holland. The gates will be used on a 90-day trial basis, so that city and school officials can assess their effectiveness.

CHS Traffic Talks Continue
02/15/12 CT

Efforts are still being made to determine the most feasible solution - at least, for the immediate future - to improve safety for motorists near Chillicothe High School. The city's next step is to place iron gates directly south of Hornet Drive and Missouri 190 to temporarily block traffic at that entry point for about 15 minutes immediately before and after school. The gates have been constructed, and will be set up within the next few weeks, according to City Administrator Ike Holland. They will be placed at Tomahawk (near its intersection with 190), and at West Mohawk (east of Tomahawk and at its intersection with Tomahawk). The gates will be used on a 90-day trial basis, so that city and school officials can assess their effectiveness.

Meanwhile, officials from both entities are working on possible solutions that would directly affect traffic issues, specifically on Hornet Drive. Chillicothe R-2 Superintendent Dr. Roger Barnes, Chillicothe High School Principal Brian Sherrow, and R-2 board president Paul Thomas attended Monday night's regular city council meeting, and addressed traffic issues at the high school.

Collectively, the city and school leaders are considering adding stop signs, primarily to slow the traffic that leaves the campus through the student parking lot exit (north exit) and travels south on Hornet Drive.

One proposal is to make the circle drive entrance a three-way stop, with stop signs being placed on Hornet Drive for north and south traffic, and a stop sign for motorists exiting the school from the circle drive and entering onto Hornet Drive. Additionally, another stop sign could be placed for motorists exiting the parking lot and entering onto Hornet Drive. Also being considered is reducing the speed limit on Hornet Drive near the school. The area currently does not have a school zone designation, and the speed limit is 25 mph.

Sherrow said measures need to be taken soon to improve safety, noting that stop signs should have been erected years ago, especially when one considers the age of many of the drivers traveling to and from school. "They are young, inexperienced drivers," he said.

Sherrow told council members that between 300 and 400 vehicles come in and out of the school's campus daily, not counting vehicles that travel there outside of the normal school day for activities, such as ball games. It was also noted that the north parking lot entrance will also be the main entrance for the stadium, which currently is under construction. A recommendation as to how the city will proceed on the matter is expected at the next city council meeting, on Monday, Feb. 27.

Some discussion took place about the possibility of building a new road that leads from the school to U.S. Highway 65 to help alleviate traffic congestion.

Gates to Go Up Near CHS
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The city of Chillicothe plans to erect two iron gates, on a trial basis, to block certain traffic near Chillicothe High School during periods of high volume, with the intent to improve safety immediately before and after school.

Council members Monday evening gave their blessings with a 3-2 vote on this proposal which was introduced by City Administrator Ike Holland. Voting in favor of the gates were Councilman-at-Large David Moore, 1st Ward councilman Reed Dupy, and 4th Ward councilman Pam Jarding. Second Ward Councilman Wayne Cunningham and 3rd Ward Councilman Tom Douglas opposed the measure.

The gates will be fabricated by city staff and are planned to be erected in the coming weeks. They are to be placed south of Missouri Route 190: one at Tomahawk (near its intersection with 190), and the other at West Mohawk, (east of Tomahawk and at its intersection with Tomahawk). The gates would be under the control of the police department and would be used only on school days.

The gates would be used on a trial basis for 90 days, and the city would seek input from community members and school officials regarding results.

Advantages to using the gates, Holland said, would be to provide effective traffic control with a low cost approach. The gates would not endanger a police officer and they can be effective in hazardous or inclement weather, he said. They would be operationally effective and would not reduce police patrols during school hours. Holland said that this recommendation is supported by himself, as well as the city engineer, police chief, fire chief, MoDOT engineers and the school district administration.

The council discussed at length but took no action about placing stop signs on Hornet Drive at the two entrances/exits to CHS. Council members raised concerns about the stop signs, stating that they would be an inconvenience to area residents who regularly travel the road, especially during non-school times. Instead, they gave supporting comments toward lowering the speed limit along Hornet Drive to 15 or 20 mph. No one representing the school district attended Monday night's meeting, and the council decided to table the matter until a later date.

Holland also talked briefly about a long-term solution that would have more public entities involved. His proposal is to seek a second primary road access to the school and the new football field. The city would work with the county, Missouri Department of Transportation, the school district, Education Foundation and grants to build an east/west road connecting Highway 65 to Hornet Drive north of the high school.

City Plans to Add Stop Signs to Hornet Drive
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Chillicothe City Council members discussed, at length, possible stop-gap measures to help alleviate dangerous traffic situations near Chillicothe High School Monday night. After discussion with public input, the council agreed to erect two stop signs and a yield sign along Hornet Drive to slow southbound traffic. The council will need to take formal action to approve the signage either later this month or in January.

The city will also look into the possibility of placing a police officer at this intersection until a more permanent solution can be reached. The city will discuss the possibility of getting support from the county and school district

The council took no action on the proposal to install gates at Tomahawk and Highway 190, as well as at Tomahawk and Mohawk (going east) that would stop traffic for brief periods of time just before school starts in the morning and immediately following afternoon dismissal. The reasoning behind using the gates was that said items would reduce the number of "conflict points" for potential accidents. Currently, there are 32 of these conflict points, with two T-intersections (Tomahawk/Missouri Route 190 and Hornet Drive/Missouri Route 190). The gates essentially would separate the two T-intersections, by directing the Tomahawk/Mohawk traffic to enter Missouri Route 190, west of Hornet Drive.

Two residents who have lived along Mohawk Road for around 40 to 50 years said they would rather see a police officer at the location to help direct traffic on and off of Hornet Drive.

City Administrator Ike Holland stated that within three months, there were three accidents at this location, and one that was almost fatal. Bud Griffin, 912 West Mohawk, stated that he had witnessed the near-fatal accident. "I don't want to see it again," he said. "Let's get it fixed the right way." His neighbor, Edward Boyd, suggested that the speed limit be dropped from its current 35 mph. Both individuals, as well as another from the public, voiced support for placing a police officer at the location during the peak traffic times until something more permanent effectively addresses the issue.

Chillicothe Police Chief Rick Knouse said he had concerns about his department being able to staff the intersection twice a day, every school day, while still being able to provide regular duties throughout other parts of town. He also raised concerns about how motorists would react if the police officer directing traffic gets called away for an emergency. "The public gets accustomed to seeing us and as soon as we leave, it causes accidents because there is no control," he said.

Tonya Lohman, a civil engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation, stated that changes could be made to make this area safer and that MoDOT can work in partnerships with other entities to make improvements. She said the youngest drivers in the city go to this location and try to make decisions with traffic flow at 35 miles per hour. Another suggestion made was the use of a roundabout that would reduce the conflict points to eight.

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to conduct a study in spring 2012 to consider a more permanent solution to reduce the risk of crashes.

Traffic Congestion at Chillicothe High School

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

CAPTION: Chillicothe City Council members are exploring ways to improve traffic safety at the junction of Hornet Drive and Missouri Route 190 south of Chillicothe High School. Peak traffic times are just before school each morning and immediately following afternoon dismissal. This photograph, taken just before 8 a.m. today (Tuesday, November 29, 2011), illustrates the challenges motorists face as they head to school and leave the campus area after having dropped off their children. The most recent suggestion being considered, albeit a temporary measure, is to install gates at Tomahawk Road (the north-south road shown at left) and at Mohawk Road that would be closed twice each school day to eliminate at least one "decision point" or option motorists have during peak traffic times. With the gates in use, motorists would then be forced to use the county road that extends on west from Mohawk and enters 190 at a point west of Hornet Drive. "If we don't work on a solution, we will continue to have accidents," said City Administrator Ike Holland.

1. Problematic traffic congestion at Hornet Drive and Missouri Route 190 just before school in the morning and immediately following afternoon dismissal increases the risk for an accident to occur at this location. During the last three months, there have been three accidents at this site and many near-misses. A point of concern is that three paths of traffic are funneled onto Hornet Drive at this location, and three options exist for motorists exiting Hornet Drive.

2. The Missouri Department of Transportation will conduct a traffic study in spring 2012, to consider a more permanent solution to reduce the risk of traffic crashes. It is anticipated that the city, along with MoDOT, the school district, and the county, would work together to help fund a solution. The study will also take into account an increase in traffic once the new football stadium is built at the high school campus and the new hospital is constructed. The study will look at traffic at the Hornet Drive/190 intersection, as well as the U.S. 65/190 intersection.

3. The city, along with MoDOT's assistance, worked to improve safety last week by adjusting the southbound lanes exiting Hornet Drive. The adjustment moved the straight traffic lane to the left-turn lane; and the other lane became designated for right-turn traffic only. The new markings are to allow continual right-turn traffic flow, rather than right-turn traffic having to wait behind motorists wanting to go straight across onto Tomahawk. This has alleviated some traffic congestion, but authorities are working for solutions to a safer intersection.

4. The city is now talking about installing a gate at Tomahawk Drive and Missouri route 190 to reduce the number of options motorists have when entering onto Hornet Drive or exiting from Hornet Drive. In addition to a bottleneck of motorists coming from all different directions, the morning sun also is a problem, especially for motorists exiting from Hornet Drive, as well as eastbound traffic. This suggestion was not presented as a cure for traffic problems, but to alleviate the risk for accidents until a more permanent solution can be reached.

5. City officials are urging input from community members about the idea of a gate at Tomahawk Road, as well as other suggestions to improve safety. A meeting date has yet to be determined, but officials would like to set the date for December so that if the idea for a gate is supported, the barrier could be installed during Christmas break. "If the public has an opinion for or against that, or safety in general, we encourage them to come so that the council will have an educated opinion about how they should proceed," City Administrator Ike Holland said.

Traffic Flow Being Adjusted Near CHS
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The Chillicothe Street Department worked to re-direct the flow of traffic exiting southbound from Hornet Drive (onto Missouri Route 190), via re-striping efforts with the Missouri Department of Transportation on Monday (Nov. 21). The two southbound lanes at the intersection will be painted anew, with the straight traffic flow arrow moving to the left-turn lane to accompany the left-turn arrow. The right lane will, then, be for right turns, only.

C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke

Traffic flow patterns are being adjusted at Hornet Drive and Missouri Route 190 in an effort to improve safety near Chillicothe High School.

Chillicothe Street Superintendent Barry Arthur said the Missouri Department of Transportation planned to be in town Monday, November 21, to assist the city street department in restriping traffic lanes. Currently, southbound traffic on Hornet Drive is divided into two lanes at Highway 190: one lane is for left turns onto 190 only, and one lane is for either traffic that is going straight across 190 or is turning right onto the highway.

Today's adjustment will move the straight traffic lane to the left-turn lane; and the other lane will be for right-turn traffic only. The new markings will allow for continual right-turn traffic flow rather than right-turn traffic having to wait behind motorists wanting to go straight. "This way, the people who want to turn right, when it is clear, can go," Arthur said. "Hopefully, this will relieve some of the congestion." Arthur said that additional adjustments will be made to improve safety in this area, especially as traffic is expected to increase once the new football stadium is completed.