PRAIRIE: Traffic trouble (sadly) proven
Tuesday’s page A7 precisely describes the Post Falls accident at Prairie and Pleasant View that I positively predicted and even positively stated, and described in my published “letter to the editor” a short week ago that the “STOP” signage for eastbound traffic at this particular intersection was flawed. Whether Post Falls, Kootenai County, state of Idaho or even federal oversight is responsible for overseeing and correcting this most obviously dangerous intersection is way beyond my comprehension, and undoubtedly, the comprehension of most of our citizenry.
By the way, Prairie Avenue, recently expanded and extended, has now in reality become a “Throughway.” And, not a complaint.
My only comment at this time is “FIX IT” with a FOUR-WAY TRAFFIC SIGNAL SAME AS THE RECENTLY INSTALLED SIGNALS AT THE PRAIRIE AVENUE CROSSINGS AT HUETTER, MEYER and perhaps others. Further delays are inexcusable. Don’t bother me with “budgets.”
JOHN S. McCONNELL
Post Falls
Editor’s note: Here is Mr. McConnell’s letter published last Wednesday under the headline, PRAIRIE: Traffic trouble ahead.
It has been about a year since the Post Falls Highway District, after lengthy preliminaries, began to actually reconstruct its Prairie Avenue roadway and access intersections for each roadway entrance from Huetter, westerly through Meyer, with continued “finish work” from Meyer across BNSF tracks to 41. A recent short delay from route 41 to 53 was due to application of chip seal, likewise a tarring process for “refinishing” older surfaces.
At each intersection from Huetter through Meyer westbound, four-way overhead traffic and walkway controls have been installed. Well-marked bike lanes and center turning lanes are obvious. Noted observation is the fact that the center passing lane is well attuned to positive law enforcement and emergency vehicles. Watch your speed.
However, I’m concerned for the questionable safety of stop and go cross traffic at the more westerly intersection of Prairie Avenue with Pleasant View Road. Northbound commercial traffic off Interstate 90 and service areas thereof, pound their way northbound toward Rathdrum. Obviously, of previous concern to Post Falls highway and law enforcement, some concern has been expressed somewhere along the line regarding cross traffic safety.
It appears that traffic control authorities by merely enlarging the “Full Stop” sign, with adding red (sometimes?) flashing lights to the east-west Prairie Avenue traffic, will reduce the chances of serious and fatal consequences due to heavy trucks, north- or southbound even within legal speed. Reminds us of the old time question: Which comes first, the horse or the buggy?
JOHN S. McCONNELL
Post Falls