Those who fly down SW 110 Avenue on east side of Pawnee Rock will soon have to cool their jets. The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a resolution establishing a speed limit on a portion of the county blacktop bordering the eastern edge of the community in Pawnee Rock Township.
Pawnee Rock Mayor Terry Mead contacted County Engineer Barry McManaman a few weeks ago to request a 35-mile-per-hour speed limit in the residential area of SW 110 Avenue. After scouting the location, McManaman concurred with the city’s request to establish the zone from U.S. 56 north to the north city limits, which is a distance of 0.15 miles.
“It was a reasonable request,” he said. When Mead called McManaman, he indicated that a Pawnee Rock resident had asked about a change.
Currently, there is no posted speed limit along the stretch. So, technically, it defaults to the statutory speed on the rural blacktop which is 55 mph.
“I am surprised someone hasn’t brought this up years ago,” McManaman said. “It must have just fallen through the cracks.”
And, it only makes sense. Motorists headed south have to slow down to stop at the stop sign before turning onto the highway anyway.
“I did go out and review the area,” McManaman said. He has also consulted with Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
Since Pawnee Rock has no city law enforcement agency, enforcement of the new speed limit will fall to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office. It was noted that special enforcement may be conducted to drive home the change.
McManaman said a yellow diamond speed zone ahead sign will be erected for southbound traffic coming into Pawnee Rock. Speed zone signs will also be installed in the area.
A 55-mph sign will be placed for drivers leaving the city headed north.
Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Approved the annual renewal of the Active 911 subscription.
Active 911 is a digital text messaging system that delivers alarms, maps and other critical information instantly to first responders and allows response efforts to be monitored in real time, said 911 Director Dena Popp. Barton County is currently contracted for 250 users at a cost of $12.25 each for a total of $3,062.50.
Funds in the 911 Fund will be used for this service.
The texts act as a secondary, backup messaging system for the first responders and the system has been in place for five years, Popp said. “It has been very well received.”
• Approved a resolution establishing a speed limit on a portion of SW 110 Avenue bordering the City of Pawnee Rock in Pawnee Rock Township.
Pawnee Rock Mayor Terry Mead contacted County Engineer Barry McManaman to request a 35-miles-per-hour speed limit in the residential area of SW 110 Avenue along the east edge of the community. After reviewing the location, McManaman concurred with the city’s request to establish the zone from U.S. 56 north to the north city limits, which is a distance of 0.15 miles.
• Approved participation in the Federal Funds Exchange Program.
The Kansas Department of Transportation is offering to exchange the annual federal funds distribution for state funds at an exchange rate of 90%, County Engineer Barry McManaman said. The county had the option of using the full share of federal funds in the amount of $213,660.78 on a project that would be designed using all federal requirements and restrictions, or accepting 90% of that amount and having the freedom to use the money on road and bridge work at the county’s discretion without following federal requirements.
The amount available to Barton County is $192,294.70. This is something the county has taken part in for several years.
• Heard the annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report from Assistant Noxious Weed Director Jay Burns.
• Approved the county agreement to treat noxious weeds for the Kansas Department of Transportation.
• Approved the noxious weed spraying rates.
