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The Kansas City Star, Mo., Watchdog column: The Watchdog: Stoplight on the way for busy Plaza intersectionNov 20, 2008 (The Kansas City Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Today's problem Virginia Schaefer is concerned about pedestrian safety on the County Club Plaza, specifically at the intersection of 47th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Schaefer says she was promised a new stoplight more than a year ago. "Also, those pretty signs don't even tell drivers to STOP for pedestrians, just WATCH. Young drivers who see no stop signs and no 'Stop for pedestrian' signs just haul through the Plaza," she writes. "Since the Plaza is one of our main tourist attractions, I think we need to be more attentive to the safety of the tourists and pedestrians." The answer Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. And there is a stoplight in your future, not just in your stocking. Kansas City Public Works Department spokesman Dennis Gagnon says design work has been completed for a signal at the intersection and the project is out for bid. "It is expected that the construction phase will begin shortly after the holiday season and should be complete in time for the pedestrian traffic increase that occurs in late spring and early summer," Gagnon says. "This improvement will enhance pedestrian safety on the northwest portion of the Plaza." He also says it will slow speeders. As far as notices reminding motorists to stop for pedestrians, Gagnon says those are in accordance with federal highway standards. "It is important that residents understand that the streets on the Plaza are essentially no different than elsewhere in the city; both pedestrians and motorists should be observant and must adhere to the rules of the road," he says. The Watchdog says he hopes police will keep an eye out for speeders during the Christmas season until that stoplight is installed. Have a problem or a question about a public issue? It doesn't have to be traffic-related. Write The Watchdog c/o The Kansas City Star Newsroom, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City MO 64108 or send e-mail to watchdog@ kcstar.com. Include your name, phone n To see more of The Kansas City Star, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.kansascity.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Kansas City Star, Mo. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |