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Show 'NesSy letfier' getfs .cu'cfion, meevong witfh DOT hopeful When all else fails, write a nasty letter. That's what resigned Vernal Gty Manager Shane Luck did and got results, but whether it will gtt the requested traffic light is another thing. Luck sent his letter, dated April 1, to Ira West, director of District 6 Utah Department of Transportation. "On several occasions I have sent errespondence to your office," reads Luck's letter, "requesting discussion -111 your office on traffic problems -rich the city would like to see ad-tessed. ad-tessed. I have not received any reponse from you." He city has identified three problem iiersections along Highway 40 where they would like to have traffic lights: SO East, 200 West and 900 West. According to Skip Anderson, UDOT assistant director, the department studied the three intersections some line ago and only one warranted a traffic light, but because of its low accident rate, it is quite low on their priority list. Upon request of the Vernal Chamber of Commerce, the State Transportation Commission tentatively plans to meet in Vernal May 22 at which time Anderson An-derson said he would be willing to meet with the mayor to discuss answers to Vernal's traffic problems. In his letter to the DOT, Luck also requested a meeting with Anderson to alleviate some of the problems. "I have done this only after continual attempts to open up some communications com-munications with N your office concerning con-cerning this city's feelings about traffic safety on our Main Street, and the impact of increasing volumes of large, heavy equipment and cars," Luck said. Acting City Manager, Kenneth Bassett said that part of the problem is that the city and the DOT have never communicated. He said the city has never made a formal application to the state for traffic lights. Bassett mentioned that a traffic problem is developing on the west end of the city with the new Smith's Food King and a future McDonalds. Acting Superintendent Philip Ellis supported the need for some traffic control on the west end of town in a letter dated April 13 to the county commissioners. "We feel this is still a very dangerou intersection (900 West Main) for our children," Ellis said in his letter. "This was recently brought to our attention again when one of our students was involved in a serious accident. We i would appreciate your considering a flashing, reduced speed light at this intersection and would also like to request that all crosswalks be repainted." The problem from their most recent study in Vernal, Anderson said, was that most students were crossing Main Street wherever they thought it was convenient. "Adding a traffic signal fouls up the movement of traffic," Anderson said about the problem on Vernal's west end. "A lot of times it is better to let the traffic move through." He added that both District No. 6 and the Safety Division were aware of the problem with traffic in Vernal and were doing everything possible. He said he requested the district to begin painting the crosswalks along Main Street which crews began to do Tuesday of this week. It seems the letter may have worked, Bassett said about Luck's letter. Maybe now we can "sit down with DOT and come up with a decision." |