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Commission rejects KDOT road diet proposal

By Greg Bebermeyer

03/11/2024

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission approved a motion Monday evening to reject a road diet proposal from the Kansas Department of Transportation and fix the traffic lights at 1st and Oregon.

Commissioner Brian Shefferd made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Evans Woehlecke, and approved on a 3-2 vote.

Mayor Becky Shamburg and Commissioner Dave Middendorf cast the dissenting votes. They both felt the city should continue to explore options before making a decision. Shamburg said KDOT informed the city last week that the timeline for making a decision on the road diet proposal could be pushed back to at least June.

The city held an informational meeting last week on the 1st Street corridor, with many in attendance at the standing room only meeting voicing opposition to the road diet proposal.

Shefferd said he had looked at the lights at 1st and Oregon and believes they can be fixed.

Commissioner Toni Hull said she didn't feel the road diet proposal was the right solution and the state was trying to tie the city's hands.

Discussions with KDOT have been ongoing since the fall of 2017 when the southwest signal pole at 1st and Oregon fell during a wind event.

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