A proposal by the Kansas Department of Transportation to raise the speed limit on U.S. Highway 56 in north Lyon County won’t affect Northern Heights High School. Instead, there will be a lower speed limit around the school, officials said.
KDOT officials last month announced plans to raise the speed limit from 55 mph to 60 mph on parts of the highway in Lyon, Osage, Douglas and Johnson counties. In Lyon County, the new speed would have stretched for 21 miles from north of Bushong on the west to north of Miller on the east, according to Kimberly Qualls, KDOT public affairs manager.
Last week, KDOT announced plans to delay implementation after receiving complaints in Douglas County because the higher speed would go right by an elementary school just outside Baldwin City.
In Lyon County, the higher speed strech would pass by Northern Heights, which sits right on the highway a mile east of Allen. One driveway from the high school’s parking lot exits directly to the highway. The second exits to a county road that connects to the highway.
But Northern Heights has received a Rural Schools Zone grant, Steve Mollach, North Lyon County superintendent said Friday.
The grant, which is for rural schools that have direct access to major highways, will allow for three signs on each side of the school with a posted speed limit of 45. Two of the signs will blink.
“We’re pretty pleased with that,” Mollach said. “It’s my understanding that the system can be programmed not just for school hours but for school activities as well. It will give us a little peace of mind.”
Mollach said KDOT will start construction in about six months.
“We’re moving forward on this,” he said. “It’s my understanding that we’re the second school district to get this in the state.”
Meanwhile, KDOT said it plans to meet with local government and school officials before raising the speed limits.
Lyon County Commission Chairman Marshall Miller said the commission hasn’t yet been notified of the potential change. He said once the commission office is contacted, the item will be placed on a meeting agenda. Commissioners then will decide whether or not to support the 5 mph increase.