Stops signs are coming to five previously uncontrolled Ark City intersections, city officials announced Wednesday.
The signs will be placed Friday and east-west traffic will then be required to stop. The move is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of vehicle collisions at the intersections.
On Dec. 19, city commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the placement of 10 new traffic control devices. The five intersections that will be affected starting Friday are at Birch Ave. and C; Cedar and Fifth; Poplar and Third; Poplar and Fourth; and Vine and Seventh.
These intersections, city officials said, will serve as a test case for whether stop signs for east-west traffic reduce collisions. If it proves successful, six more intersections could be addressed with a similar resolution.
City staff plans to use reflective tape and flags on the sign poles to call attention to the new stop sign placements. Tree trimming and removal will be performed as needed to improve visibility at the most troublesome intersections, as well. Motorists are urged to use caution as drivers adjust to these changes.
The City Commission acted last month upon a unanimous recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee — which includes representatives of city staff, Cowley College, the Planning Commission, USD 470 and the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce — in taking this action.
During a Traffic Safety Committee meeting Oct. 13, 2017, Police Chief Dan Ward presented a “heat map” showing recent traffic collisions at various uncontrolled intersections throughout Arkansas City.
Five uncontrolled intersections in north Arkansas City and six uncontrolled intersections in south Arkansas City were identified as particular problem areas in need of immediate attention.
