Commissioners discuss intersection safety, pertaining to Highways 34 and 81

​YORK – “Last Saturday morning, I was witness to an accident at north intersection of Highway 34 and Highway 81. Yes, another accident at our Highway 34 intersections with Highway 81. They just continue to be a problem, especially that intersection,” Commissioner Daniel Grotz told his fellow board members as they held their regular meeting.

​Last summer, there were numerous fatalities at those intersections.
“And the state did install those rumble bars, which I suppose helped, but I think more has to be done,” Grotz said. “I know the state doesn’t like to put I stop lights, but maybe we need one at the north intersection, maybe for the other one too.
“Also, at that north intersection, there are a number of signs lined up there and they can block drivers’ view. Maybe that’s a conversation we should have with the state,” Grotz continued. “We need to continue having these conversations with the state safety people.”
Commissioner Andy Bowman also added how part of the problem might be how drivers pull out because they see other drivers signal “but they are changing lanes, not slowing down to turn. That north intersection is clearly a problem.”
Commissioner LeRoy Ott said what makes that particular intersection even worse is the existence of the hill.
"I talked with Jana Hughes (District 24 state senator) about this again and we need to continue these conversations,” Grotz said. ‘
“And we have some intersections in the county we need to look at too,” added Commissioner Randy Obermier.
“Yes, there are visibility issues in places due to trees and crops,” Bowman said, acknowledging road staff “has been doing a great job trimming trees” where necessary.
Obermier also noted how everyone needs to drive with extra caution at this time of year, with all the farmers in the field and there being a lot more truck traffic associated with harvest.
“We all just need to be extra careful,” Obermier said.
Drivers, especially on rural roads, are reminded to stop and look at all intersections as the crops are tall and the traffic is high.