Roundabout won't happen

This is an example of KDOT partnering with local government to pursue a funding package that leverages limited KDOT funds with the local funds Plans to construct a roundabout at the U.S. 400/K-47 intersection near Fredonia have been put on hold. via ParsonsSun.com

[cosmo]

roundabouts are a problem to people who are unfamiliar with them

[cosmo 6]

here people find them confusing till they get to know them. can you imagine travlers who don't know them wondering what to do?

[Amy]

I wish there was some way to stop them from putting in the roundabout...an overpass would be much safer, but they're too concerned about cost...why don't they just reduce the speed limit through that section! There have been way too many accidents on that specific stretch of highway! They think reducung the speed limit would impede traffic to much, or make it too inconvenient for drivers...making them take an extra 5 minutes at most to get to their destination to save even one life is well worth it! Having to stop to go around the scene of an accident takes much longer than slowing down a little bit. The safest answer would be to put in a four way stop where Washington meets 400 at Fredonia. 2 additional stop signs would cost a LOT less than adding a roundabout...I wish there was some way to convince the state to make a resonable decision that will be more safe and effective!

[cosmo6]

Amy wrote:

I wish there was some way to stop them from putting in the roundabout...an overpass would be much safer, but they're too concerned about cost...why don't they just reduce the speed limit through that section! There have been way too many accidents on that specific stretch of highway! They think reducung the speed limit would impede traffic to much, or make it too inconvenient for drivers...making them take an extra 5 minutes at most to get to their destination to save even one life is well worth it! Having to stop to go around the scene of an accident takes much longer than slowing down a little bit. The safest answer would be to put in a four way stop where Washington meets 400 at Fredonia. 2 additional stop signs would cost a LOT less than adding a roundabout...I wish there was some way to convince the state to make a resonable decision that will be more safe and effective!

well put

[Junction]

Maybe you should ask your dad why he don't let the deputies work the highway some. I bet they could reduce the accidents there by writing a few tickets, wait we don't wanna make anyone mad, it election year!

Amy wrote:

I wish there was some way to stop them from putting in the roundabout...an overpass would be much safer, but they're too concerned about cost...why don't they just reduce the speed limit through that section! There have been way too many accidents on that specific stretch of highway! They think reducung the speed limit would impede traffic to much, or make it too inconvenient for drivers...making them take an extra 5 minutes at most to get to their destination to save even one life is well worth it! Having to stop to go around the scene of an accident takes much longer than slowing down a little bit. The safest answer would be to put in a four way stop where Washington meets 400 at Fredonia. 2 additional stop signs would cost a LOT less than adding a roundabout...I wish there was some way to convince the state to make a resonable decision that will be more safe and effective!

[Amy]

Junction wrote:

Maybe you should ask your dad why he don't let the deputies work the highway some. I bet they could reduce the accidents there by writing a few tickets, wait we don't wanna make anyone mad, it election year!
<quoted text>

Nothing has changed about the way he runs things because of it being election year, and writing more tickets won't stop the accidents because they mostly involve truck drivers who don't slow down because they're not familiar with the road and the speed limit is not reduced at the intersections, not to mention people are always trying to race across the intersection to beat the oncoming traffic. The roundabout and isn't about the election and has nothing to do with the county even...why are you so interested in tickets anyway? Deputies are needed out in the county; state police are abundant around Wilson county; I think they've got the highways covered...you a wannabe traffic cop on a power trip or something?

[Junction]

So what are the deputies suppose to do if there not on a call, sit on their ass. Things always change when election year is here. People who race across the road to beat traffic should be ticketed. See, if you cared you would agree, but Sheriff Dan don't want the deputies writing tickets to local people. You say the state police are abundant, maybe you and the sheriff are to dependent on them?? I have no interest in becoming a cop, they have a tuff job I think, if they work?

Amy wrote:

<quoted text>
Nothing has changed about the way he runs things because of it being election year, and writing more tickets won't stop the accidents because they mostly involve truck drivers who don't slow down because they're not familiar with the road and the speed limit is not reduced at the intersections, not to mention people are always trying to race across the intersection to beat the oncoming traffic. The roundabout and isn't about the election and has nothing to do with the county even...why are you so interested in tickets anyway? Deputies are needed out in the county; state police are abundant around Wilson county; I think they've got the highways covered...you a wannabe traffic cop on a power trip or something?

[Amy]

Junction wrote:

So what are the deputies suppose to do if there not on a call, sit on their ass. Things always change when election year is here. People who race across the road to beat traffic should be ticketed. See, if you cared you would agree, but Sheriff Dan don't want the deputies writing tickets to local people. You say the state police are abundant, maybe you and the sheriff are to dependent on them?? I have no interest in becoming a cop, they have a tuff job I think, if they work?
<quoted text>

Call Dan if you really want to know...he'll try to explain it in little words you can understand...

[Junction]

Thats what I thought, you have no answer now do ya? Daddy can't and won't tell you what to put on here now?

Amy wrote:

<quoted text>
Call Dan if you really want to know...he'll try to explain it in little words you can understand...

[Amy]

He hasn't told me the first thing to put on here...you don't want an answer anyway...do you REALLY want to know what he wants the deputies to do and why he doesn't have them focus on traffic? Why he's NEVER had them focus preimarily on traffic...nothing has changed about that; its been that way throughout his administration as sheriff. I highly doubt it you want an understanding or for anyone else to understand either. You obviously don't know how law enforcement works, and it doesn't seem you really care. You just want to argue and stir stuff up...get a life...

[Amy]

let me rephrase that...you obviously don't know how EFFECTIVE law enforcement works...

[Rotten]

The roundabout has nothing to do with Dan Bath and his effectiveness to enforce the laws.
If you all would debate the topic of the roundabout and not how unefective of a sheriff Dan is, you might actually have a decent debate.
I'm for the roundabout. You can put pretty flowers in the middle for all the crosses that will get put there.
You can call 47-400 Gods airstrip. People crash and their souls (hopefully) launch for heaven from there.

[400driver]

Environmental factors or lack of enforcement?

By the logic of those wanting a round about, stop sign, or slower speed zones, should we do one or all of the above at every intersection on US 400?

The other option would be for people to observe existing traffic laws, which they appear not to want to do without better/more enforcement.

[Amy]

every intersection on 400 is not as busy as the one where they are wanting to put in the roundabout. If it was about how well the trafic laws were enforced, then altering the roadway would not be an issue. At this point, in regards to the roundabout, it has nothing to do with law enforcement or the sheriff...

From what I understand, within the next few years, they are going to make 400 into a 4 lane. They have stated at that point, they will add 2 overpasses (one for each of the 2 sets of double lanes). They want a roundabout now instead of an overpass because it doesn't cost as much. So they want to spend several million dollars on something that will be torn down in a few years, at which time they will have to build 2 overpasses...seems to me that they could save a LOT of money in the long run to simply put in an overpass now, then after they add the other two lanes, they are only left with adding one overpass, and there will be nothing to tear down...who would you even talk to about something like that?...I know Kansas Dept. of Transportation is making the decisions (they actually even suggested the WILSON COUNTY CITIZENS be taxed to PAY for the roundabout!), but isn't it a federal highway? I think it is a HUGE waste of money, especially as financially difficult it is for everyone right now. They need to consider this issue more carefully for long term effects both financially and for the safety of people who travel there! How can they possibly think a roundabout is the answer? Am I just totally missing something? If there is a good reason, I'm truly open to hear it...is there anyone who may have any ideas who can explain it to me??? It seems ridiculous!

[Rotten]

The roundabout is another way for the state to ignore an issue by throwing as little money at it as it can.
But on the other hand, if people would follow the laws and be good drivers, we won't have the fatalities on 400 we do. We CAN NOT depend on the government to hold our hands and lead us through that intersection all the time. Fredonia, its time to stop at the damn stop sign and you won't have to worry about the roundabout.

[Top Dog]

You have got no clue, the taxes were if there was to be a 4-lane from harper rd to k-47 jct!!

Amy wrote:

every intersection on 400 is not as busy as the one where they are wanting to put in the roundabout. If it was about how well the trafic laws were enforced, then altering the roadway would not be an issue. At this point, in regards to the roundabout, it has nothing to do with law enforcement or the sheriff...
From what I understand, within the next few years, they are going to make 400 into a 4 lane. They have stated at that point, they will add 2 overpasses (one for each of the 2 sets of double lanes). They want a roundabout now instead of an overpass because it doesn't cost as much. So they want to spend several million dollars on something that will be torn down in a few years, at which time they will have to build 2 overpasses...seems to me that they could save a LOT of money in the long run to simply put in an overpass now, then after they add the other two lanes, they are only left with adding one overpass, and there will be nothing to tear down...who would you even talk to about something like that?...I know Kansas Dept. of Transportation is making the decisions (they actually even suggested the WILSON COUNTY CITIZENS be taxed to PAY for the roundabout!), but isn't it a federal highway? I think it is a HUGE waste of money, especially as financially difficult it is for everyone right now. They need to consider this issue more carefully for long term effects both financially and for the safety of people who travel there! How can they possibly think a roundabout is the answer? Am I just totally missing something? If there is a good reason, I'm truly open to hear it...is there anyone who may have any ideas who can explain it to me??? It seems ridiculous!

[Top Dog]

Rotten is right again!!

Rotten wrote:

The roundabout is another way for the state to ignore an issue by throwing as little money at it as it can.
But on the other hand, if people would follow the laws and be good drivers, we won't have the fatalities on 400 we do. We CAN NOT depend on the government to hold our hands and lead us through that intersection all the time. Fredonia, its time to stop at the damn stop sign and you won't have to worry about the roundabout.

[Jason Booth]

A few years ago the state did a study on the intersection & at that time they said there was not enough traffic to warrent a blinking red on top of the stop signs, but theres enough traffic to install a rounabout

[Jason Booth]

also why not try lowering the speed limit from harper rd. to the old butts school down to 45 mph & let the city of fredonia or the sheriffs dept patrol it. Anybody that travels 400 highway knows that when They get to Leon, Kansas to slow down or they will be pulled over. our section of 400 highway could have the same reputation as the section through Leon, Kansas.

[advise for amy]

honey i know you are mad at what folks are saying but you need to stay silent you are hurting your fathers chanches. you are giving information that makes it sound like you are the leak of where information is getting out. either dont read comments or stay silent. you really are doing more damage than helping. my vote may change because of your comments. remember everyone has their own opinon. let it go.