It’s been a long road to get here, but by December westbound drivers at the end of 12th Avenue will be able to make turns easier onto Graphic Arts Road.
The Emporia City Commission green lighted a project this evening that will remove the islands from the intersection and increase the turning radius. Drivers will be able to turn left onto southbound Graphic Arts.
The project will set the city back $32,270 with the money coming from sales tax collections in the city’s multi-year fund.
“This has been a longtime coming,” said Mayor Kevin Nelson. “It’s unfortunate this resolution didn’t come sooner.”
Because of an engineering blunder and a high price for the land needed to correct the mistake, Graphic Arts was re-configured in a way that would not allow for safe left turns from 12th and 15th.
This has caused an inconvenience for car drivers and a problem for truck drivers. Along with not being able to turn left, often times there is not enough room to turn right. The trucks have been running over and tearing up the islands.
City Engineer Jerry Menefee estimated the project would cost $46,151. Emporia Construction & Remodeling bid $32,270 while APAC KS Inc. bid $32,634. The commission chose the Emporia Construction bid.
Menefee said the project should only take a few weeks to do.
“We are moving a couple islands and upgrading the turning radius on the southeast corner so the trucks aren’t climbing up over the curb,” he said. “It will interrupt traffic for awhile. There will be a fair amount of barricades for a short period of time.”
For the complete story and other commission action, pick up the Thursday Emporia Gazette.
dml (anonymous) says...
Why isn't the engineer that fubared the project paying for it instead of the city?
October 19, 2011 at 11:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
Is the engineerng firm still kicking in $5000? I thought I heard that somewhere.
October 20, 2011 at 3:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasper007 (anonymous) says...
Wow. Being that I have had to make u-turns at this intersection, makes you wonder who thought up the idea in the first place.
MY tax dollars wasted again!
October 20, 2011 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
93shocarguy (anonymous) says...
Because of an engineering blunder and a high price for the land needed to correct the mistake, Graphic Arts was re-configured in a way that would not allow for safe left turns from 12th and 15th.
I'd like to know why the city didn't just TAKE the land as they have many other times...or could it possibly be because the land belongs to some of the "Emporia Elite"?
Just something to ponder
October 20, 2011 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )