Ronan City Council discusses upcoming changes to urban traffic flow
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RONAN - On Monday the Ronan City Council discussed Ronan urban traffic flow, as the city prepares for the final phase of U.S. Hwy 93 renovation through Ronan. Montana Department of Transportation district administrator Douglas Moeller was present to speak with the council about the status of the Hwy. 93 renovation project.
“We’re just starting preliminary design,” Moeller said, “we still have around 2-3 years before finishing.”
The preliminary design proposes changing First Avenue to a one-way street serving southbound traffic, while U.S. Hwy. 93 would handle northbound traffic through town.
Additional changes include the placement of traffic signals at the intersections of Buchanan and Main Street, along First Avenue and U.S. Hwy. 93.
Mayor Kim Aipperspach voiced concern that the signals may cause more trouble than anticipated.
“We only need the lights on holiday weekends,” Aipperspach said. “That’s when traffic is heaviest.”
Moeller explained to the council that the lights can be customized for day and night traffic needs.
“The lights can be set to just flash at night,” Moeller said. “That way people aren’t sitting at the light for two minutes when nobody is on the road.”
As many details are yet to be set in stone, the council decided to meet with the Department of Transportation in coming months to view a model. This will give council members a good look at the changes before they finalize their decision.
“We will have our traffic specialists present, and can get real specific on the details,” Moeller said.
City Council approved the budget amendment for Ronan City Library, which received a Broadband Technology Opportunity Program grant.
The grant will allow Ronan City Library up to $3,000 to provide a handicap accessible entryway, along with $35,765 for tech position wages, through June 2013.
According to Ronan Public Library director Michelle Fenger, with this grant the library becomes a better public community center bringing in new computer equipment and technology resources. The library building would also receive some minor repairs during the next two years.
“We’re quite excited about this,” Fenger said, “We desperately needed this grant.”
The council also decided to continue their investigation with a new well site on Third Avenue near the Ronan High School softball field. City engineer Sharri Johnson concluded that after visiting multiple wells in the area, that this location is the best option they have.
“We want to be in this vicinity,” Johnson said. “The well is in good proximity to water lines, and within the aquifer zone.”
Council member Cal Hardy brought up the danger of having the well sit 10 feet off the shoulder, as a hazard for drivers.
“Most businesses in Ronan are closer to the road than 10 feet,” Aipperspach said. “With the speed limit only 15 miles per hour, I don’t see this being an issue.”
If the well is built, the city agrees to protect the building and drivers by surrounding the building with a guardrail.
The next city hall meeting will be held March 14.
