Gage County adding to letter of support for Tri County safety project
County has already agreed to share the cost of a light system to slow down traffic by the school
By News Channel Nebraska
BEATRICE – The Gage County Board has approved adding language to a letter of support for a Tri County Public Schools initiative to lower traffic speed along Nebraska Highway 103 next to the school. The language will express some support for a 45-mile-per-hour limit all the time, or at least allowing the school to adapt the safety change beyond just the periods before and after-school.
That could account for nighttime school events, or situations where there is a weather-related school start time change. The current speed limit is 65-miles-per-hour, by the school.
Tri County School officials have met with both Gage and Jefferson County officials, on supporting a change in the name of safety, and assisting in funding a light system that signals traffic to slow down.
County Board member Gary Lytle said a 45-zone all the time probably would not be a bad idea. "Where they have vehicles turning into the ballpark down there, to the county intersection....if that was forty five, through there...at least through the school year, I don't disagree a bit. It seems odd you see other schools on highways and you see a flashing light that says forty-five. It seems odd that it hasn't been that way before now."
Gage County Attorney Roger Harris said a permanent lowering to 45-miles-per-hour near the school would be easier to enforce. Supervisors Emily Haxby and Don Schuller favor a 45-limit all the time.
Tri County School Superintendent Randy Schlueter previously said there has been a safety concern, and some close calls on accidents along highway 103, next to the school. There was a fatal highway accident this summer that killed two people during foggy conditions, at the southeast corner of the school’s property.
The re-drafted letter from Gage County will be sent to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. With on a cost-sharing of the project between the counties, the State of Nebraska and the school district… the traffic light system could be installed this coming spring.